Forensic Science Degree in Joliet, IL — Salary & ROI 2026
Forensic Science degree analysis for Joliet, IL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$54K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$73K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.4 yrs
in Joliet
Cost of Living
108
index (100 = avg)
Forensic Science in Joliet, IL Overview
Joliet, Illinois (pop. 150,362) has 12 colleges offering Forensic Science programs. The local cost of living index of 108 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $880/month. Forensic Science enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in DNA Analysis and Toxicology. The adjusted starting salary in Joliet is approximately $54,000.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
12
Public Tuition
$8,958/yr
Private Tuition
$36,980/yr
Room & Board
$13,014/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$7,482/yr
Unemployment
4.2%
Graduation Rate
70%
Forensic Science Salary in Joliet (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Joliet's cost of living index of 108 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Forensic Science salary: $50,000 starting, $68,000 mid-career, $82,000 senior level.Joliet adjustment factor: 1.08x based on the local cost of living index.
Forensic Science ROI Calculator for Joliet
Estimate your return on investment for a Forensic Science degree using local Joliet tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,958 | Private avg: $36,980
Joliet avg aid: $7,482/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$87,888
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$16,200
vs HS diploma in Joliet
ROI Payback Period
5.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Joliet
$344,112
Lifetime earnings premium ($432,000) minus total education cost ($87,888)
Student Loan Payoff for Forensic Science in Joliet
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Joliet for Forensic Science
University of St. Francis
private
$36,980/yr
$147,920 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Joliet Junior College
$4,980/yr
Top Employers for Forensic Science in Joliet
Joliet offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Forensic Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Joliet Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Forensic Science Job Titles
Forensic Science in Nearby Illinois Cities
Chicago, IL
$55K starting · COL 109
98 colleges
Aurora, IL
$46K starting · COL 92.8
7 colleges
Naperville, IL
$51K starting · COL 102
13 colleges
Rockford, IL
$45K starting · COL 90
8 colleges
Elgin, IL
$40K starting · COL 79
13 colleges
Springfield, IL
$46K starting · COL 92
9 colleges
Peoria, IL
$52K starting · COL 104
5 colleges
Waukegan, IL
$45K starting · COL 90.3
4 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Joliet
International Relations
$54K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$52K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$54K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$54K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$54K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$48K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$54K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$48K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science Degree in Joliet — 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 Joliet.