Forensic Science Degree in Anchorage, AK — Salary & ROI 2026
Forensic Science degree analysis for Anchorage, AK. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$61K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$82K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6 yrs
in Anchorage
Cost of Living
121
index (100 = avg)
Forensic Science in Anchorage, AK Overview
Anchorage, Alaska (pop. 291,247) has 18 colleges offering Forensic Science programs. The local cost of living index of 121 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,400/month. Forensic Science enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in DNA Analysis and Toxicology. The adjusted starting salary in Anchorage is approximately $60,500.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
18
Public Tuition
$8,100/yr
Private Tuition
$24,000/yr
Room & Board
$19,313/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,634/yr
Unemployment
3%
Graduation Rate
58%
Forensic Science Salary in Anchorage (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Anchorage's cost of living index of 121 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Forensic Science salary: $50,000 starting, $68,000 mid-career, $82,000 senior level.Anchorage adjustment factor: 1.21x based on the local cost of living index.
Forensic Science ROI Calculator for Anchorage
Estimate your return on investment for a Forensic Science degree using local Anchorage tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,100 | Private avg: $24,000
Anchorage avg aid: $15,634/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$109,652
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$18,150
vs HS diploma in Anchorage
ROI Payback Period
6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Anchorage
$374,348
Lifetime earnings premium ($484,000) minus total education cost ($109,652)
Student Loan Payoff for Forensic Science in Anchorage
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Anchorage for Forensic Science
University of Alaska Anchorage
public
$8,100/yr
$32,400 total
Alaska Pacific University
private
$24,000/yr
$96,000 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
UAA Community Campus
$4,300/yr
Top Employers for Forensic Science in Anchorage
Anchorage offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Forensic Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Anchorage Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Forensic Science Job Titles
Other Social Sciences Majors in Anchorage
International Relations
$61K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$58K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$61K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$61K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$61K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$53K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$61K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$53K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science Degree in Anchorage — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Forensic Science ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Anchorage.