Forensic Science Degree in Fayetteville, NC — Salary & ROI 2026
Forensic Science degree analysis for Fayetteville, NC. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$45K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$61K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.9 yrs
in Fayetteville
Cost of Living
90
index (100 = avg)
Forensic Science in Fayetteville, NC Overview
Fayetteville, North Carolina (pop. 208,501) has 15 colleges offering Forensic Science programs. The local cost of living index of 90 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $877/month. Forensic Science enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in DNA Analysis and Toxicology. The adjusted starting salary in Fayetteville is approximately $45,000.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
15
Public Tuition
$5,925/yr
Private Tuition
$37,000/yr
Room & Board
$10,494/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,488/yr
Unemployment
4%
Graduation Rate
46%
Forensic Science Salary in Fayetteville (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Fayetteville's cost of living index of 90 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Forensic Science salary: $50,000 starting, $68,000 mid-career, $82,000 senior level.Fayetteville adjustment factor: 0.90x based on the local cost of living index.
Forensic Science ROI Calculator for Fayetteville
Estimate your return on investment for a Forensic Science degree using local Fayetteville tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $5,925 | Private avg: $37,000
Fayetteville avg aid: $14,488/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$65,676
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,500
vs HS diploma in Fayetteville
ROI Payback Period
4.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Fayetteville
$294,324
Lifetime earnings premium ($360,000) minus total education cost ($65,676)
Student Loan Payoff for Forensic Science in Fayetteville
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Fayetteville for Forensic Science
Fayetteville State University
public
$5,925/yr
$23,700 total
Methodist University
private
$37,000/yr
$148,000 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Fayetteville Technical Community College
$2,864/yr
Top Employers for Forensic Science in Fayetteville
Fayetteville offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Forensic Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Fayetteville Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Forensic Science Job Titles
Forensic Science in Nearby North Carolina Cities
Charlotte, NC
$45K starting · COL 89
39 colleges
Raleigh, NC
$42K starting · COL 83
21 colleges
Greensboro, NC
$46K starting · COL 91
17 colleges
Durham, NC
$55K starting · COL 109
25 colleges
Winston-Salem, NC
$53K starting · COL 106
26 colleges
Cary, NC
$54K starting · COL 108.5
7 colleges
Wilmington, NC
$48K starting · COL 95
5 colleges
High Point, NC
$42K starting · COL 84.5
5 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Fayetteville
International Relations
$45K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$43K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$45K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$45K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$45K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$40K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$45K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$40K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science Degree in Fayetteville — 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 Fayetteville.