Forensic Science Degree in Eugene, OR — Salary & ROI 2026
Forensic Science degree analysis for Eugene, OR. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$65K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$88K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.4 yrs
in Eugene
Cost of Living
130
index (100 = avg)
Forensic Science in Eugene, OR Overview
Eugene, Oregon (pop. 176,654) has 14 colleges offering Forensic Science programs. The local cost of living index of 130 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,157/month. Forensic Science enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in DNA Analysis and Toxicology. The adjusted starting salary in Eugene is approximately $65,000.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
14
Public Tuition
$12,720/yr
Private Tuition
$33,710/yr
Room & Board
$18,672/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,904/yr
Unemployment
4.7%
Graduation Rate
68%
Forensic Science Salary in Eugene (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Eugene's cost of living index of 130 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Forensic Science salary: $50,000 starting, $68,000 mid-career, $82,000 senior level.Eugene adjustment factor: 1.30x based on the local cost of living index.
Forensic Science ROI Calculator for Eugene
Estimate your return on investment for a Forensic Science degree using local Eugene tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,720 | Private avg: $33,710
Eugene avg aid: $14,904/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$125,568
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$19,500
vs HS diploma in Eugene
ROI Payback Period
6.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Eugene
$394,432
Lifetime earnings premium ($520,000) minus total education cost ($125,568)
Student Loan Payoff for Forensic Science in Eugene
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Eugene for Forensic Science
University of Oregon
public
$12,720/yr
$50,880 total
Northwest Christian University
private
$33,710/yr
$134,840 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Lane Community College
$4,536/yr
Top Employers for Forensic Science in Eugene
Eugene offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Forensic Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Eugene Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Forensic Science Job Titles
Forensic Science in Nearby Oregon Cities
Portland, OR
$56K starting · COL 112
24 colleges
Salem, OR
$60K starting · COL 120
14 colleges
Gresham, OR
$55K starting · COL 110.2
5 colleges
Hillsboro, OR
$58K starting · COL 115.5
5 colleges
Bend, OR
$54K starting · COL 107
2 colleges
Beaverton, OR
$53K starting · COL 105.9
4 colleges
Medford, OR
$56K starting · COL 111
4 colleges
Springfield, OR
$60K starting · COL 120.3
3 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Eugene
International Relations
$65K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$62K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$65K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$65K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$65K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$57K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$65K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$57K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science Degree in Eugene — 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 Eugene.