Academic Index Last updated: June 23, 2026

16 Best Universities in California for Forensic Science

If you are looking to study Forensic Science in California, our index highlights the top 16 domain-leading institutions. Based on 2.76M scholarly articles and 141.56M peer-reviewed citations, we reveal the best research labs driving innovation in Forensic Science. This targeted approach bypasses general university reputation, directly revealing the strongest programs.

Active Filters: Forensic Science California Clear All

Ranking Methodology Notice

Filter

Field of Study

Sub-Branch

1

Davis

University of California – Davis

For Forensic Science

#7 in United States #8 in North America

42% Acceptance

25,685 Enrollment

1545 Avg SAT

1905 Founded

2

Berkeley

University of California – Berkeley

For Forensic Science

#20 in United States #24 in North America

11% Acceptance

26,133 Enrollment

1175 Avg SAT

1868 Founded

3

Irvine

University of California – Irvine

For Forensic Science

#33 in United States #38 in North America

29% Acceptance

47,335 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1965 Founded

4

Stanford

Stanford University

For Forensic Science

#34 in United States #39 in North America

4% Acceptance

47,335 Enrollment

1545 Avg SAT

1885 Founded

5

Riverside

University of California – Riverside

For Forensic Science

#36 in United States #41 in North America

76% Acceptance

25,685 Enrollment

1175 Avg SAT

1954 Founded

6

Los Angeles

University of Southern California

For Forensic Science

#43 in United States #48 in North America

10% Acceptance

47,335 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1880 Founded

7

San Diego

University of California-San Diego

For Forensic Science

#57 in United States #66 in North America

27% Acceptance

47,335 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1960 Founded

8

San Francisco

University of California – San Francisco

For Forensic Science

#59 in United States #68 in North America

13% Acceptance

2,942 Enrollment

1100 Avg SAT

1864 Founded

9

Los Angeles

University of California – Los Angeles

For Forensic Science

#61 in United States #71 in North America

9% Acceptance

37,297 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1919 Founded

10

Santa Cruz

University of California – Santa Cruz

For Forensic Science

#162 in United States #187 in North America

66% Acceptance

45,882 Enrollment

1535 Avg SAT

1965 Founded

11

San Jose, CA

San Jose State University

For Forensic Science

#123 in United States #143 in North America

85% Acceptance

22,563 Enrollment

1420 Avg SAT

1857 Founded

12

San Diego

Alliant International University – San Diego

For Forensic Science

#164 in United States #189 in North America

915 Enrollment

1111 Avg SAT

2001 Founded

$25,481 Net Price

13

Claremont, CA

Claremont McKenna College

For Forensic Science

#190 in United States #217 in North America

10% Acceptance

1,771 Enrollment

1515 Avg SAT

1946 Founded

14

Chico

California State University – Chico

For Forensic Science

#121 in United States #140 in North America

93% Acceptance

31,943 Enrollment

1290 Avg SAT

1887 Founded

15

Pomona

California State Polytechnic University – Pomona

For Forensic Science

#182 in United States #208 in North America

75% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1525 Avg SAT

1938 Founded

16

Los Angeles

California State University – Los Angeles

For Forensic Science

#117 in United States #136 in North America

91% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1947 Founded