Forensic Science Degree Programs in Wyoming

Updated October 1, 2026

No Wyoming school reports a forensic-science-family program under the federal CIP data, though related coursework classified differently may exist. BLS says forensic science technicians typically need a bachelor’s in a physical science, biology, or forensic science, usually completed online or out of state. Entry-level forensic science technicians in Wyoming earn a median $52,100 a year, per 2025 BLS data.

A Wyoming murder case that hinged on wound angle and blade depth is a reminder of what forensic science actually does in a courtroom: it turns physical evidence into testimony a jury can act on (Billings Gazette, 2017). No Wyoming school reports a forensic-science-family program under the federal education data this guide relies on, so here’s what the data does tell you: a bachelor’s degree, typically in a physical science, biology, or forensic science, is the usual path into this work, and for most Wyoming residents that means completing it online or at an out-of-state school.

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What Forensic Science Work Looks Like in Wyoming

Forensic science connects a crime scene to a courtroom. A technician collects and processes evidence: blood spatter, fiber, ballistics, digital data. A criminal investigator builds the case around it, interviewing witnesses and tracking down the people the evidence points to. In the Wyoming stabbing case above, the physical evidence itself (the angle and depth of the wound) became the deciding factor in whether the defendant was the initial aggressor or acting in self-defense. That’s the kind of work both roles do: read the evidence, then make it legible to a jury.

Does Wyoming Have a Forensic Science Degree Program?

Here’s something worth knowing before you enroll anywhere: per U.S. Department of Education data, no Wyoming institution reports a program in the security-science-and-technology CIP family, the federal classification that includes forensic science. That doesn’t prove no Wyoming school offers forensic-science coursework, a concentration, or a minor. It means none is reported under that specific CIP code in the dataset this guide draws from. Confirm current program details directly with any school before applying, since catalogs shift faster than federal reporting does.

What Wyoming does offer is a solid bench of criminal justice programs, listed below. BLS identifies a bachelor’s degree, typically in a physical science, biology, or forensic science, as the usual path into forensic science technician work, though acceptable majors and coursework vary by employer and specialty. A criminal justice associate degree from one of the schools below gives you investigative and legal-procedure coursework that’s useful background, and credits may transfer toward a four-year program, depending on the receiving institution. It’s one option worth considering, not a required first step.

The table below covers criminal justice programs, not forensic science programs specifically. None of these schools report a forensic-science-family credential under the CIP data referenced above.

Institution	City	Credential(s) Offered
Casper College	Casper	Associate
Central Wyoming College	Riverton	Associate
Eastern Wyoming College	Torrington	Associate, undergraduate certificate
Laramie County Community College	Cheyenne	Associate
Northern Wyoming Community College District	Sheridan	Associate, undergraduate certificate
Northwest College	Powell	Associate, undergraduate certificate
University of Wyoming	Laramie	Bachelor’s
Western Wyoming Community College	Rock Springs	Associate

Eight public institutions in Wyoming offer a criminal justice program at some credential level, per federal education data. None are distance-only. The University of Wyoming is the only one offering a bachelor’s in-state.

School and program data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, institution file May 2025 and field-of-study file April 2025. Data accessed October 2026.

Example Coursework You May Encounter

Course names and content vary by school and program. These are examples of what a criminal justice associate curriculum commonly includes, not a confirmed list for any specific Wyoming program.

Criminal Investigation: Covers how an investigation actually runs, so you understand how evidence holds up once a case goes to court.
Law of Evidence: State and federal rules on handling, storing, and presenting evidence. Get this wrong, and you can compromise a case before it reaches a jury.
Human Anatomy: Covers the skeletal system, major organ systems, and basic physiology. It’s foundational knowledge for forensic work, not training in cause-of-death determination or wound analysis, which fall under specialized forensic pathology coursework.
Basic Chemistry: The chemical reactions behind drug testing, toxicology, and trace-evidence analysis start here.
Criminalistics: How evidence gets left behind at a scene, and how to collect it without destroying it.

Pay and Job Growth for Forensic Science Careers in Wyoming

Forensic science technician is one occupation to consider if lab and evidence work interests you. Wyoming employs about 90 of them at a median $52,100 a year, per May 2025 BLS wage data. The state’s forensic science technician jobs are projected to grow 12.1% through 2034, with about 10 openings a year, per ProjectionsCentral long-term projections, a fast rate for a workforce this small.

Criminal investigator is a distinct occupational path from lab-based forensic work. Many agencies look for patrol experience first, though exact requirements vary by department. Wyoming’s roughly 170 detectives and criminal investigators earn a median $81,880 a year, per May 2025 BLS wage data, with 2.2% growth projected through 2034 and about 10 openings a year, per ProjectionsCentral projections.

May 2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures for Forensic Science Technicians and Detectives and Criminal Investigators. Long-term (2024-34) job growth projections from the US Department of Labor-sponsored resource, ProjectionsCentral. Figures reflect state-level data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed October 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Wyoming have a forensic science degree program?

Not under the federal CIP data this guide checks. No Wyoming institution reports a credential in the security-science-and-technology family, which is where forensic science programs are classified, though that doesn’t rule out related coursework offered under a different program name. BLS says forensic science technicians typically need a bachelor’s degree, usually in a physical science, biology, or forensic science, most realistically completed online or out of state.

What degree do I need to become a forensic science technician in Wyoming?

BLS identifies a bachelor’s degree as the typical requirement, usually in a physical science, biology, or forensic science, though acceptable majors and coursework vary by employer and specialty. Check postings from Wyoming crime labs and law enforcement agencies for their specific requirements before choosing a program.

How much do forensic science technicians make in Wyoming?

Wyoming forensic science technicians earn a median of $52,100 a year, per May 2025 BLS data. The job is projected to grow 12.1% through 2034, with about 10 openings a year statewide, per ProjectionsCentral.

What’s the difference between a forensic science technician and a criminal investigator?

A technician processes physical evidence in a lab or at a scene. An investigator builds the case around that evidence, including interviews and suspect tracking. Many come up through patrol first, though requirements vary by agency. Wyoming investigators earn more on median, $81,880 versus $52,100, per May 2025 BLS data.

Key Takeaways

No forensic-science program reported in-state – No Wyoming institution reports a forensic-science-family program under the federal CIP data used for this analysis. That doesn’t rule out differently classified coursework.
Eight criminal justice schools, one in-state bachelor’s – Eight Wyoming institutions offer a criminal justice credential (not forensic science specifically), and the University of Wyoming is the only one with a bachelor’s in-state.
Entry-level lab pay is modest but growing fast – Forensic science technicians median $52,100 a year, per BLS, with 12.1% growth projected through 2034, per ProjectionsCentral.
Investigator roles pay more – Criminal investigators median $81,880 a year, per BLS; many agencies look for patrol experience first, though requirements vary.

Still weighing how to pay for the degree? Our scholarships guide covers awards built specifically for criminal justice and forensic science majors, with eligibility and deadlines.

Want the bigger picture? Read the full guide to Compare Forensic Scientist Schools & Training Programs.