DegreeCalc

Forensic Science Degree in Jackson, MS — Salary & ROI 2026

Forensic Science degree analysis for Jackson, MS. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.

Starting Salary

$47K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$63K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

6.2 yrs

in Jackson

Cost of Living

93

index (100 = avg)

Forensic Science in Jackson, MS Overview

Jackson, Mississippi (pop. 153,701) has 11 colleges offering Forensic Science programs. The local cost of living index of 93 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $855/month. Forensic Science enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in DNA Analysis and Toxicology. The adjusted starting salary in Jackson is approximately $46,500.

Category

Social Sciences

Local Colleges

11

Public Tuition

$8,684/yr

Private Tuition

$27,400/yr

Room & Board

$12,839/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$14,629/yr

Unemployment

4.6%

Graduation Rate

62%

Forensic Science Salary in Jackson (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Jackson's cost of living index of 93 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$46,500($-3,500 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$63,240($-4,760 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$76,260($-5,740 vs national)

Note: National average Forensic Science salary: $50,000 starting, $68,000 mid-career, $82,000 senior level.Jackson adjustment factor: 0.93x based on the local cost of living index.

Forensic Science ROI Calculator for Jackson

Estimate your return on investment for a Forensic Science degree using local Jackson tuition and cost of living data.

Public avg: $8,684 | Private avg: $27,400

Jackson avg aid: $14,629/yr

Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%

Total Education Cost

$86,092

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$13,950

vs HS diploma in Jackson

ROI Payback Period

6.2 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Jackson

$285,908

Lifetime earnings premium ($372,000) minus total education cost ($86,092)

Student Loan Payoff for Forensic Science in Jackson

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$86,092
Monthly Payment$978
Total Interest$31,215
% of Monthly Income25%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$86,092
Monthly Payment$1,684
Total Interest$14,977
Interest Savings$16,238

Colleges in Jackson for Forensic Science

Jackson State University

public

$8,684/yr

$34,736 total

Belhaven University

private

$27,400/yr

$109,600 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Hinds Community College

$3,300/yr

Top Employers for Forensic Science in Jackson

Jackson offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Forensic Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:

FBIDEACrime LabsPolice DepartmentsMedical Examiner Offices

Key Jackson Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences

Government agencies

Non-profits

Research institutes

Social services

Consulting

Common Forensic Science Job Titles

Forensic ScientistCrime Lab AnalystMedical Examiner

Forensic Science Degree in Jackson — 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 Jackson.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Calculators