by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Forensic Nursing covers A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply The Law And Forensic Science To Nursing Practice And Collaborate With Other Professionals For The Care Of Victims And The Prosecution Of Criminals. Includes Instruction In Advanced Physical Assessment, Evidence Collection And Preservation, Forensic Anthropology, Legal Testimony, Medicolegal Investigation, Pathophysiology, Pathohistology, Pharmacology, And Violence Prevention. Continue reading for the important information every forensic nursing major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering forensic nursing programs.
Across the country, forensic nursing draws strong interest, with 21 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Forensic Nursing Schools ranking analyzes these 3 schools to determine the best overall colleges for forensic nursing students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of forensic nursing programs later in this article.
Studies in Forensic Nursing develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations forensic nursing graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a forensic nursing program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a forensic nursing major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several forensic nursing degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 21 |
People currently working in careers related to forensic nursing tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 44.5% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 24.3% |
| Doctoral degree | 10.0% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 8.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 7.8% |
| First professional degree | 1.4% |
| Post-doctoral training | 1.4% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.3% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.2% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in forensic nursing careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in forensic nursing opens doors to numerous career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to forensic nursing.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to forensic nursing.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | 3,793,806 | 10.2% |
| Nurse Practitioners | 2,031,912 | 3.3% |
| Clinical Nurse Specialists | 1,937,405 | 12.3% |
| Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses | 1,349,827 | 0.0% |
| Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary | 790,445 | 5.7% |
| Critical Care Nurses | 590,563 | 14.4% |
| Acute Care Nurses | 191,452 | 4.1% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of forensic nursing graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $83,453 |
| 4 years | $80,149 |
| 5 years | $90,156 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for forensic nursing graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers forensic nursing grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioners | $147,651 |
| Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses | $143,854 |
| Registered Nurses | $105,741 |
| Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary | $69,718 |
| Critical Care Nurses | $65,103 |
| Acute Care Nurses | $56,247 |
| Clinical Nurse Specialists | $52,889 |
With 3 different forensic nursing programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased forensic nursing school rankings to help you.
Those considering forensic nursing, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse | 256,965 |
| Family Practice Nurse/Nursing | 14,847 |
| Nursing Practice | 9,206 |
| Nursing Administration | 7,911 |
| Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing | 4,379 |
| Nursing Science | 4,245 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Other | 4,125 |
| Adult Health Nurse/Nursing | 2,457 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | 1,960 |
| Public Health/Community Nurse/Nursing | 1,505 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
