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)
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 |
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 | Location | Control | Website |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
|
62 | New York, New York | Public | jjay.cuny.edu |
West Virginia University (WVU) |
Master's
|
39 | Morgantown, West Virginia | Public | wvu.edu |
Utica University |
Master's
Other Award
|
29 | Utica, New York | Private | utica.edu |
University of New Haven (UNH) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
19 | West Haven, Connecticut | Private | newhaven.edu |
University of Scranton |
Master's
|
14 | Scranton, Pennsylvania | Private | scranton.edu |
North Seattle College (NSC) |
Other Award
|
14 | Seattle, Washington | Public | northseattle.edu |
Stevenson University |
Master's
|
13 | Owings Mills, Maryland | Private | stevenson.edu |
Freed-Hardeman University (FHU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13 | Henderson, Tennessee | Private | fhu.edu |
Salisbury University (SU) |
Other Award
|
12 | Salisbury, Maryland | Public | salisbury.edu |
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Prescott, Arizona | Private | prescott.erau.edu |
Tiffin University (TU) |
Master's
|
11 | Tiffin, Ohio | Private | tiffin.edu |
Pfeiffer University |
Master's
|
10 | Misenheimer, North Carolina | Private | pfeiffer.edu |
Siena College |
Postbac Cert.
|
8 | Loudonville, New York | Private | siena.edu |
SUNY Old Westbury |
Master's
|
8 | Old Westbury, New York | Public | oldwestbury.edu |
Gannon University |
Postbac Cert.
|
8 | Erie, Pennsylvania | Private | gannon.edu |
Champlain College |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
7 | Burlington, Vermont | Private | champlain.edu |
Inter American University of Puerto Rico (UIPR) |
Master's
|
7 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Private | metro.inter.edu |
Ferris State University (FSU) |
Other Award
|
5 | Big Rapids, Michigan | Public | ferris.edu |
Illinois State University (ISU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
4 | Normal, Illinois | Public | illinoisstate.edu |
Carlow University |
Master's
|
4 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | carlow.edu |
Michigan Technological University (MTU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Houghton, Michigan | Public | mtu.edu |
University of Northwestern Ohio (UNOH) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Lima, Ohio | Private | unoh.edu |
Neumann University |
Master's
|
3 | Aston, Pennsylvania | Private | neumann.edu |
Western New England University (WNE) |
Master's
|
2 | Springfield, Massachusetts | Private | wne.edu |
Bemidji State University (BSU) |
Other Award
|
2 | Bemidji, Minnesota | Public | bemidjistate.edu |
Rowan University |
Other Award
|
2 | Glassboro, New Jersey | Public | rowan.edu |
SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Utica, New York | Public | sunypoly.edu |
Missouri State University |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Springfield, Missouri | Public | missouristate.edu |
New England College (NEC) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Henniker, New Hampshire | Private | nec.edu |
Genesee Community College (GCC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Batavia, New York | Public | genesee.edu |
University of Akron |
Master's
|
1 | Akron, Ohio | Public | uakron.edu |
Stark State College |
Associate's
|
1 | North Canton, Ohio | Public | starkstate.edu |
La Salle University |
Post-Master's
|
1 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | lasalle.edu |
Waynesburg University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Waynesburg, Pennsylvania | Private | waynesburg.edu |
Christian Brothers University (CBU) |
Master's
|
1 | Memphis, Tennessee | Private | cbu.edu |
South College |
Master's
|
1 | 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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