Forensic Science Degree in Erie, PA — Salary & ROI 2026
Forensic Science degree analysis for Erie, PA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$60K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$82K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
8.3 yrs
in Erie
Cost of Living
120
index (100 = avg)
Forensic Science in Erie, PA Overview
While Erie has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Forensic Science students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $21,896/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 Erie is approximately $60,000.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$15,346/yr
Private Tuition
$35,160/yr
Room & Board
$21,896/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,237/yr
Unemployment
4.5%
Graduation Rate
63%
Forensic Science Salary in Erie (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Erie's cost of living index of 120 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Forensic Science salary: $50,000 starting, $68,000 mid-career, $82,000 senior level.Erie adjustment factor: 1.20x based on the local cost of living index.
Forensic Science ROI Calculator for Erie
Estimate your return on investment for a Forensic Science degree using local Erie tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $15,346 | Private avg: $35,160
Erie avg aid: $15,237/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$148,968
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$18,000
vs HS diploma in Erie
ROI Payback Period
8.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Erie
$331,032
Lifetime earnings premium ($480,000) minus total education cost ($148,968)
Student Loan Payoff for Forensic Science in Erie
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Erie for Forensic Science
Gannon University
private
$35,160/yr
$140,640 total
Penn State Behrend
public
$15,346/yr
$61,384 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Erie Community College
$5,070/yr
Top Employers for Forensic Science in Erie
Erie offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Forensic Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Erie Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Forensic Science Job Titles
Forensic Science in Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
Philadelphia, PA
$75K starting · COL 150
42 colleges
Pittsburgh, PA
$58K starting · COL 115
12 colleges
Allentown, PA
$57K starting · COL 113
5 colleges
Reading, PA
$59K starting · COL 118
3 colleges
Upper Darby, PA
$47K starting · COL 94.5
4 colleges
Scranton, PA
$60K starting · COL 120
8 colleges
Bethlehem, PA
$63K starting · COL 125
7 colleges
Lower Merion, PA
$46K starting · COL 91.4
3 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Erie
International Relations
$60K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$58K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$60K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$60K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$60K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$53K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$60K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$53K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science Degree in Erie — 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 Erie.