Forensic Science Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Application of scientific methods to criminal and civil investigations.
Starting Salary
$50K
median
Mid-Career
$68K
salary
ROI Payback
4.8 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
3.5%
rate
Forensic Science Overview
Application of scientific methods to criminal and civil investigations.
Category
Social Sciences
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
62%
Enrollment Trend
stable
Online Available
Limited
Underemployment
18%
Lifetime Premium
$400K
Female Graduates
58%
Forensic Science Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$16,200
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$16,200
after scholarships
ROI Payback
1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$383,800
Lifetime earnings premium ($400,000) minus net degree cost ($16,200)
Forensic Science Salary Progression
Common Forensic Science Careers
Forensic Scientist
Crime Lab Analyst
Medical Examiner
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Forensic Science
#1
George Washington
#2
Boston University
#3
Penn State
#4
Virginia Commonwealth
#5
University of Central Florida
Related Majors
Forensic Science Degree FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Enrollment and graduation data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES/IPEDS). Tuition estimates based on College Board Annual Survey of Colleges. Last updated March 2026.
Forensic Science Programs by City
Tuition, salary outcomes, and cost of living for forensic science programs vary by city. See your local numbers:
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