Forensic Science Degree in Bloomington, IN — Salary & ROI 2026
Forensic Science degree analysis for Bloomington, IN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$42K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$56K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.6 yrs
in Bloomington
Cost of Living
83
index (100 = avg)
Forensic Science in Bloomington, IN Overview
While Bloomington has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Forensic Science students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $12,831/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Forensic Science enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in DNA Analysis and Toxicology. The adjusted starting salary in Bloomington is approximately $41,500.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$10,948/yr
Private Tuition
$35,439/yr
Room & Board
$12,831/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,996/yr
Unemployment
5.2%
Graduation Rate
64%
Forensic Science Salary in Bloomington (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Bloomington's cost of living index of 83 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Forensic Science salary: $50,000 starting, $68,000 mid-career, $82,000 senior level.Bloomington adjustment factor: 0.83x based on the local cost of living index.
Forensic Science ROI Calculator for Bloomington
Estimate your return on investment for a Forensic Science degree using local Bloomington tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,948 | Private avg: $35,439
Bloomington avg aid: $13,996/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$95,116
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$12,450
vs HS diploma in Bloomington
ROI Payback Period
7.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Bloomington
$236,884
Lifetime earnings premium ($332,000) minus total education cost ($95,116)
Student Loan Payoff for Forensic Science in Bloomington
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Bloomington for Forensic Science
Indiana University Bloomington
public
$10,948/yr
$43,792 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington
$4,540/yr
Top Employers for Forensic Science in Bloomington
Bloomington offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Forensic Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Bloomington Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Forensic Science Job Titles
Forensic Science in Nearby Indiana Cities
Indianapolis, IN
$47K starting · COL 94
25 colleges
Fort Wayne, IN
$52K starting · COL 103
24 colleges
Evansville, IN
$43K starting · COL 86
10 colleges
South Bend, IN
$45K starting · COL 89
9 colleges
Carmel, IN
$53K starting · COL 105.2
4 colleges
Fishers, IN
$50K starting · COL 100.5
4 colleges
Hammond, IN
$47K starting · COL 93.1
4 colleges
Lafayette, IN
$42K starting · COL 84.8
3 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Bloomington
International Relations
$42K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$40K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$42K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$42K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$42K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$37K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$42K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$37K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science Degree in Bloomington — 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 Bloomington.