Forensic Science Degree in Little Rock, AR — Salary & ROI 2026
Forensic Science degree analysis for Little Rock, AR. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$43K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$58K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.3 yrs
in Little Rock
Cost of Living
85
index (100 = avg)
Forensic Science in Little Rock, AR Overview
Little Rock is one of Arkansas's top college towns, with 24 institutions and a student population of 18,659. Public tuition averages $9,312/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. Forensic Science enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in DNA Analysis and Toxicology. The adjusted starting salary in Little Rock is approximately $42,500.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
24
Public Tuition
$9,312/yr
Private Tuition
$13,320/yr
Room & Board
$13,863/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,402/yr
Unemployment
4.6%
Graduation Rate
49%
Forensic Science Salary in Little Rock (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Little Rock's cost of living index of 85 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Forensic Science salary: $50,000 starting, $68,000 mid-career, $82,000 senior level.Little Rock adjustment factor: 0.85x based on the local cost of living index.
Forensic Science ROI Calculator for Little Rock
Estimate your return on investment for a Forensic Science degree using local Little Rock tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,312 | Private avg: $13,320
Little Rock avg aid: $15,402/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$92,700
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$12,750
vs HS diploma in Little Rock
ROI Payback Period
7.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Little Rock
$247,300
Lifetime earnings premium ($340,000) minus total education cost ($92,700)
Student Loan Payoff for Forensic Science in Little Rock
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Little Rock for Forensic Science
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
public
$9,312/yr
$37,248 total
Philander Smith University
private
$13,320/yr
$53,280 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Pulaski Technical College
$3,800/yr
Top Employers for Forensic Science in Little Rock
Little Rock offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Forensic Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Little Rock Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Forensic Science Job Titles
Forensic Science in Nearby Arkansas Cities
Fayetteville, AR
$45K starting · COL 89
4 colleges
Fort Smith, AR
$39K starting · COL 78.5
4 colleges
Springdale, AR
$43K starting · COL 85.8
4 colleges
Jonesboro, AR
$41K starting · COL 82.5
4 colleges
Rogers, AR
$44K starting · COL 88.2
3 colleges
Conway, AR
$42K starting · COL 84.5
3 colleges
North Little Rock, AR
$43K starting · COL 86.6
3 colleges
Bentonville, AR
$46K starting · COL 92.5
3 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Little Rock
International Relations
$43K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$41K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$43K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$43K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$43K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$37K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$43K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$37K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science Degree in Little Rock — 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 Little Rock.