Forensic Science Degree in Boston, MA — Salary & ROI 2026
Forensic Science degree analysis for Boston, MA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$69K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$93K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.6 yrs
in Boston
Cost of Living
137
index (100 = avg)
Forensic Science in Boston, MA Overview
Boston is one of Massachusetts's top college towns, with 24 institutions and a student population of 40,388. Public tuition averages $14,167/year here — near the national average for public universities. Forensic Science enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in DNA Analysis and Toxicology. The adjusted starting salary in Boston is approximately $68,500.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
24
Public Tuition
$14,167/yr
Private Tuition
$60,730/yr
Room & Board
$14,423/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$10,458/yr
Unemployment
4.5%
Graduation Rate
56%
Forensic Science Salary in Boston (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Boston's cost of living index of 137 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Forensic Science salary: $50,000 starting, $68,000 mid-career, $82,000 senior level.Boston adjustment factor: 1.37x based on the local cost of living index.
Forensic Science ROI Calculator for Boston
Estimate your return on investment for a Forensic Science degree using local Boston tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,167 | Private avg: $60,730
Boston avg aid: $10,458/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$114,360
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$20,550
vs HS diploma in Boston
ROI Payback Period
5.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Boston
$433,640
Lifetime earnings premium ($548,000) minus total education cost ($114,360)
Student Loan Payoff for Forensic Science in Boston
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Boston for Forensic Science
Boston University
private
$62,360/yr
$249,440 total
Northeastern University
private
$59,100/yr
$236,400 total
University of Massachusetts Boston
public
$14,167/yr
$56,668 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Bunker Hill Community College
$5,760/yr
Roxbury Community College
$5,280/yr
Top Employers for Forensic Science in Boston
Boston offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Forensic Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Boston Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Forensic Science Job Titles
Forensic Science in Nearby Massachusetts Cities
Worcester, MA
$59K starting · COL 117
11 colleges
Springfield, MA
$67K starting · COL 133
6 colleges
Cambridge, MA
$67K starting · COL 133
6 colleges
Lowell, MA
$56K starting · COL 112.5
5 colleges
Brockton, MA
$54K starting · COL 108.5
5 colleges
Quincy, MA
$64K starting · COL 128.5
4 colleges
New Bedford, MA
$51K starting · COL 102.5
4 colleges
Lynn, MA
$59K starting · COL 118.5
4 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Boston
International Relations
$69K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$66K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$69K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$69K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$69K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$60K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$69K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$60K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science Degree in Boston — 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 Boston.