Best Forensic Science Schools in Illinois (2026)

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Illinois Forensic Science At a Glance

MetricDetail
Median Forensic Science Salary$105,500
Salary OutlookIllinois offers competitive wages for forensic science professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below.
Primary Licensing BodyIllinois Professional Licensing Board
Accreditation RequiredInstitutional + Regional

Earning an online forensic science degree in Illinois offers a flexible path into forensic science careers. Illinois offers competitive wages for forensic science professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. Whether you’re looking for an affordable in-state option or a nationally available program, Illinois students have access to a variety of accredited online choices that balance quality and cost.


Online Forensic Science Schools in Illinois

The following schools offer accredited online forensic science programs and are ranked based on affordability, graduation rates, and student outcomes in Illinois.

How We Rank Schools

Every school list on this site is ordered by the BOC Score, computed from the most recent school-level data published by the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard and IPEDS). To qualify, a school must be currently operating and accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Each eligible school is then scored on five measures, percentile-ranked against schools at the same credential level:

  • Graduation rate 30%
  • Median earnings, 10 years after entry 25%
  • Average net price (lower is better) 20%
  • Retention rate 15%
  • Fully online availability 10%

Schools without enough outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score. Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.

Ranked by BOC Score — U.S. Dept. of Education outcome data. Advertising never affects rankings.

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#1

University of Illinois Chicago

Chicago, IL
  • 4 year
  • Offers a fully online program
79.6 BOC Score
Graduation rate 70%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $68,740
Avg net price $10,974/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 79%
  • Programs offered: 140

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#2

Lewis University

Romeoville, IL
  • 4 year
  • Offers a fully online program
  • Accredited
73.8 BOC Score
Acceptance rate 71%
Graduation rate 65%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $66,099
Avg net price $17,028/yr
Tuition
In‑state$39,200
Out‑of‑state$39,200
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 81%
  • Programs offered: 85

Source:Accreditor: Higher Learning CommissionIPEDSCollege Scorecard

#3

Kishwaukee College

Malta, IL
  • 2 year
  • Offers a fully online program
  • Accredited
66.2 BOC Score
Graduation rate 42%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $39,657
Avg net price $4,574/yr
Tuition
In‑state$4,560
Out‑of‑state$13,680
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 41

Source:Accreditor: Higher Learning CommissionIPEDSCollege Scorecard

#4

Lake Land College

Mattoon, IL
  • 2 year
  • Accredited
53.4 BOC Score
Graduation rate 56%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $38,877
Avg net price $2,254/yr
Tuition
In‑state$4,415
Out‑of‑state$14,301
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 55

Source:Accreditor: Higher Learning CommissionIPEDSCollege Scorecard


Career Outlook and Salaries in Illinois

Forensic Science professionals in Illinois experience a dynamic job market with competitive wages. Below are the median annual salaries for key roles in the field, based on the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for Illinois.

OccupationMedian Annual Salary (Illinois)
Forensic Science Technician$124,790
Detective and Criminal Investigator$91,190
Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officer$100,520

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.


Why Pursue an Online Forensic Science Degree in Illinois?

Choosing a program in Illinois can provide several advantages:

  • In-State Tuition: Many public universities in Illinois offer lower tuition rates for residents, even for online programs.
  • Local Networking: Attending a school within your state can make it easier to connect with local employers and professional organizations.
  • Regional Relevance: Curriculum often incorporates data and case studies relevant to the Illinois economy and job market.


Frequently Asked Questions

Are online forensic science programs in Illinois accredited?

The schools in our directory hold institutional accreditation from agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education - that is a condition of inclusion. Verify any specific school and program in the Department’s DAPIP database before enrolling.

How does Forensic Science pay in Illinois compare to other states?

Illinois offers competitive wages for forensic science professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. This makes Illinois a strong choice for students looking to maximize their ROI after graduation.

What is the primary licensing board for forensic science in Illinois?

The Illinois Professional Licensing Board oversees professional standards and licensure for the field in Illinois. Most accredited programs are designed to align with their specific requirements.


Online Forensic Science Programs by City in Illinois

Explore city-level guides with local salary data and school options:

Addison · Algonquin · Alton · Arlington Heights · Aurora · Bartlett · Batavia · Belleville · Belvidere · Berwyn · Bloomingdale · Bloomington · Blue Island · Bolingbrook · Braidwood · Buffalo Grove · Burbank · Calumet City · Carbondale · Carol Stream · Carpentersville · Champaign · Charleston · Chicago · Chicago Heights · Cicero · Collinsville · Crest Hill · Crystal Lake · Danville · Darien · Decatur · DeKalb · Des Plaines · Dolton · Downers Grove · East Moline · East Peoria · East Saint Louis · Edwardsville · Elgin · Elk Grove Village · Elmhurst · Elmwood Park · Evanston · Freeport · Galesburg · Geneva · Glen Ellyn · Glendale Heights · Glenview · Granite City · Grayslake · Gurnee · Hanover Park · Harvey · Highland Park · Hoffman Estates · Homer Glen · Huntley · Jacksonville · Joliet · Kankakee · Lake in the Hills · Lansing · Libertyville · Lisle · Lockport · Lombard · Loves Park · Machesney Park · Maywood · McHenry · Melrose Park · Mokena · Moline · Morton Grove · Mount Prospect · Mundelein · Naperville · New Lenox · Niles · Normal · North Chicago · Northbrook · O · Oak Forest · Oak Lawn · Oak Park · Orland Park · Oswego · Ottawa · Palatine · Park Forest · Park Ridge · Pekin · Peoria · Peru · Plainfield · Quincy · Rock Island · Rockford · Rolling Meadows · Romeoville · Roselle · Round Lake Beach · Schaumburg · Skokie · South Elgin · South Holland · Springfield · Saint Charles · Sterling · Streamwood · Tinley Park · Urbana · Vernon Hills · Villa Park · Waukegan · West Chicago · Westmont · Wheaton · Wheeling · Wilmette · Woodridge · Woodstock · Zion


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