Forensic Science Degree in Miami, FL — Salary & ROI 2026
Forensic Science degree analysis for Miami, FL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$49K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$67K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.7 yrs
in Miami
Cost of Living
98
index (100 = avg)
Forensic Science in Miami, FL Overview
Miami, Florida (pop. 442,241) has 12 colleges offering Forensic Science programs. The local cost of living index of 98 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,191/month. Forensic Science enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in DNA Analysis and Toxicology. The adjusted starting salary in Miami is approximately $49,000.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
12
Public Tuition
$6,556/yr
Private Tuition
$44,890/yr
Room & Board
$10,667/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$10,348/yr
Unemployment
6.5%
Graduation Rate
45%
Forensic Science Salary in Miami (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Miami's cost of living index of 98 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Forensic Science salary: $50,000 starting, $68,000 mid-career, $82,000 senior level.Miami adjustment factor: 0.98x based on the local cost of living index.
Forensic Science ROI Calculator for Miami
Estimate your return on investment for a Forensic Science degree using local Miami tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $6,556 | Private avg: $44,890
Miami avg aid: $10,348/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$68,892
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$14,700
vs HS diploma in Miami
ROI Payback Period
4.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Miami
$323,108
Lifetime earnings premium ($392,000) minus total education cost ($68,892)
Student Loan Payoff for Forensic Science in Miami
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Miami for Forensic Science
University of Miami
private
$56,580/yr
$226,320 total
Florida International University
public
$6,556/yr
$26,224 total
Barry University
private
$33,200/yr
$132,800 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Miami Dade College
$3,588/yr
Top Employers for Forensic Science in Miami
Miami offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Forensic Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Miami Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Forensic Science Job Titles
Forensic Science in Nearby Florida Cities
Jacksonville, FL
$59K starting · COL 117
35 colleges
Tampa, FL
$51K starting · COL 101
26 colleges
Orlando, FL
$48K starting · COL 96
16 colleges
St. Petersburg, FL
$49K starting · COL 97
22 colleges
Hialeah, FL
$39K starting · COL 78
22 colleges
Port St. Lucie, FL
$49K starting · COL 98.5
8 colleges
Tallahassee, FL
$45K starting · COL 89
11 colleges
Cape Coral, FL
$49K starting · COL 97.8
7 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Miami
International Relations
$49K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$47K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$49K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$49K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$49K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$43K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$49K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$43K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science Degree in Miami — 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 Miami.