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Financial Forensics and Fraud Investigation: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries

Program Overview

Designed for professionals seeking to combat complex financial misconduct, this program equips students with advanced analytical and investigative capabilities to uncover and prosecute financial crimes. Emphasis is placed on the strategic application of accounting principles within legal and forensic contexts, preparing graduates to analyze intricate financial patterns and support judicial proceedings with credible evidence.

  • Investigative Auditing: Techniques for scrutinizing financial records to detect irregularities, inconsistencies, and signs of intentional misrepresentation.
  • Computer Forensics in Finance: Methods for recovering, preserving, and analyzing digital data from electronic systems to trace illicit financial activity.
  • Accounting System Documentation and Software: In-depth study of transactional systems, software workflows, and internal controls to identify vulnerabilities and fraudulent manipulations.
  • Business Corruption and White-Collar Crime: Examination of unethical practices within corporate environments, including bribery, embezzlement, and conflict-of-interest schemes.
  • Criminal and Terrorist Financial Networks: Analysis of how illicit funds are structured, routed, and hidden through complex international financial systems.
  • International Money Markets and Fund Transfers: Understanding cross-border financial flows, currency exchange mechanisms, and regulatory frameworks governing global capital movement.
  • Net Worth Analysis: A forensic methodology used to assess an individual’s financial standing and detect unreported income or hidden assets.
  • Financial Fraud Detection: Identification and evaluation of schemes such as Ponzi schemes, invoice fraud, and identity-based financial deception.
  • Asset Concealment and Recovery: Strategies for uncovering offshore accounts, shell entities, and other methods used to hide wealth from authorities.
  • Records Seizure and Evidence Preservation: Legal and procedural protocols for obtaining, securing, and maintaining the integrity of financial documentation in investigations.
  • Fraud and Money Laundering Legislation: Comprehensive review of domestic and international laws governing financial crimes, including compliance and enforcement mechanisms.
  • Fraud Case Management: Structured approaches to organizing, documenting, and advancing financial investigations from inception to resolution.
  • Case Presentation and Legal Testimony: Training in preparing clear, persuasive, and legally defensible reports and testimony for use in court or regulatory hearings.

Financial Forensics and Fraud Investigation Graduate Trends (2010-2024)

324
Total Graduates (2023-2024)
36
Universities & Colleges
5
Career Pathways

Financial Forensics and Fraud Investigation Career Pathways & Salary Outlook

The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Financial Forensics and Fraud Investigation degrees, including Detectives and Criminal Investigators, Financial Examiners and Accountants and Auditors. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 1,674,170 professionals.


National Average Salaries

Occupation Median Salary Salary Range Total Employment Hourly Rate
Detectives and Criminal Investigators 33-3021 $93,580 $54,160 - $159,410 110,790 $44.99
Financial Examiners 13-2061 $90,400 $53,420 - $171,540 62,830 $43.46
Accountants and Auditors 13-2011 $81,680 $52,780 - $141,420 1,448,290 $39.27
Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1111 $71,470 $45,640 - $143,130 13,560 N/A
Private Detectives and Investigators 33-9021 $52,370 $37,250 - $98,770 38,700 $25.18

Salary Comparison

Financial Forensics and Fraud Investigation Salary Map by State

Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $58,218 in Arkansas to $114,980 in District of Columbia—a 97% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, California, and New York. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 1,674,170 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.

Average Salary Range:

Top Universities for Financial Forensics and Fraud Investigation by Graduate Enrollment

Below are the top 36 institutions offering Financial Forensics and Fraud Investigation programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Financial Forensics and Fraud Investigation is found at CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice (62 graduates), West Virginia University (WVU) (39 graduates), Utica University (29 graduates), University of New Haven (UNH) (19 graduates), and University of Scranton (14 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 324 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.

College Name Award Levels Graduates Admissions Location Control Website
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
62 SAT: 1000-1250 New York, New York Public jjay.cuny.edu
West Virginia University (WVU)
Master's
39 SAT: 1010-1240
ACT: 20-26
Morgantown, West Virginia Public wvu.edu
Utica University
Master's
Other Award
29 SAT: 1030-1210 Utica, New York Private utica.edu
University of New Haven (UNH)
Postbac Cert.
Master's
19 SAT: 1090-1260 West Haven, Connecticut Private newhaven.edu
University of Scranton
Master's
14 SAT: 1150-1320
ACT: 25-30
Scranton, Pennsylvania Private scranton.edu
North Seattle College (NSC)
Other Award
14 N/A Seattle, Washington Public northseattle.edu
Stevenson University
Master's
13 N/A Owings Mills, Maryland Private stevenson.edu
Freed-Hardeman University (FHU)
Bachelor's
Master's
13 SAT: 934-1084
ACT: 19-26
Henderson, Tennessee Private fhu.edu
Salisbury University (SU)
Other Award
12 SAT: 1180-1310
ACT: 26-28
Salisbury, Maryland Public salisbury.edu
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU)
Bachelor's
11 SAT: 1160-1360
ACT: 24-29
Prescott, Arizona Private prescott.erau.edu
Tiffin University (TU)
Master's
11 SAT: 870-1120
ACT: 15-22
Tiffin, Ohio Private tiffin.edu
Pfeiffer University
Master's
10 N/A Misenheimer, North Carolina Private pfeiffer.edu
Siena College
Postbac Cert.
8 SAT: 1093-1360
ACT: 26-29
Loudonville, New York Private siena.edu
SUNY Old Westbury
Master's
8 N/A Old Westbury, New York Public oldwestbury.edu
Gannon University
Postbac Cert.
8 N/A Erie, Pennsylvania Private gannon.edu
Champlain College
Bachelor's
Other Award
7 SAT: 1165-1340
ACT: 27-31
Burlington, Vermont Private champlain.edu
Inter American University of Puerto Rico (UIPR)
Master's
7 N/A San Juan, Puerto Rico Private metro.inter.edu
Ferris State University (FSU)
Other Award
5 SAT: 890-1120
ACT: 18-26
Big Rapids, Michigan Public ferris.edu
Illinois State University (ISU)
Postbac Cert.
4 SAT: 1010-1230
ACT: 22-27
Normal, Illinois Public illinoisstate.edu
Carlow University
Master's
4 N/A Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Private carlow.edu
Michigan Technological University (MTU)
Postbac Cert.
3 SAT: 1120-1330
ACT: 25-31
Houghton, Michigan Public mtu.edu
University of Northwestern Ohio (UNOH)
Bachelor's
3 N/A Lima, Ohio Private unoh.edu
Neumann University
Master's
3 N/A Aston, Pennsylvania Private neumann.edu
Western New England University (WNE)
Master's
2 SAT: 1130-1310
ACT: 25-27
Springfield, Massachusetts Private wne.edu
Bemidji State University (BSU)
Other Award
2 ACT: 18-23 Bemidji, Minnesota Public bemidjistate.edu
Rowan University
Other Award
2 SAT: 1100-1310
ACT: 26-30
Glassboro, New Jersey Public rowan.edu
SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly)
Postbac Cert.
2 SAT: 1150-1330
ACT: 24-27
Utica, New York Public sunypoly.edu
Missouri State University
Postbac Cert.
1 SAT: 990-1220
ACT: 19-25
Springfield, Missouri Public missouristate.edu
New England College (NEC)
Bachelor's
1 N/A Henniker, New Hampshire Private nec.edu
Genesee Community College (GCC)
Associate's
1 N/A Batavia, New York Public genesee.edu
University of Akron
Master's
1 SAT: 950-1190
ACT: 18-25
Akron, Ohio Public uakron.edu
Stark State College
Associate's
1 N/A North Canton, Ohio Public starkstate.edu
La Salle University
Post-Master's
1 N/A Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Private lasalle.edu
Waynesburg University
Bachelor's
1 SAT: 1000-1220
ACT: 16-25
Waynesburg, Pennsylvania Private waynesburg.edu
Christian Brothers University (CBU)
Master's
1 SAT: 1040-1300
ACT: 18-23
Memphis, Tennessee Private cbu.edu
South College
Master's
1 N/A Knoxville, Tennessee Private south.edu

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about Financial Forensics and Fraud Investigation programs

How much can I earn with a Financial Forensics and Fraud Investigation degree?

Salaries for Financial Forensics and Fraud Investigation graduates vary by role and location. Detectives and Criminal Investigators earn a median of $93,580 annually, while Financial Examiners earn around $90,400. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $114,980 compared to $58,218 in Arkansas. Approximately 1,674,170 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.

Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.

Which universities have the largest Financial Forensics and Fraud Investigation programs?

Currently 36 accredited institutions offer Financial Forensics and Fraud Investigation degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice (62 graduates), West Virginia University (WVU) (39 graduates), and Utica University (29 graduates).

Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.

What career paths are available with a Financial Forensics and Fraud Investigation degree?

This degree prepares you for roles such as Detectives and Criminal Investigators, Financial Examiners, and Accountants and Auditors. Related occupations employ approximately 1,674,170 professionals nationwide.

Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.

Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.

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