Forensic Science Degree in Oakland, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Forensic Science degree analysis for Oakland, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$66K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$90K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.8 yrs
in Oakland
Cost of Living
132
index (100 = avg)
Forensic Science in Oakland, CA Overview
Oakland, California (pop. 433,031) has 13 colleges offering Forensic Science programs. The local cost of living index of 132 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,787/month. Forensic Science enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in DNA Analysis and Toxicology. The adjusted starting salary in Oakland is approximately $66,000.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
13
Public Tuition
$11,404/yr
Private Tuition
$43,067/yr
Room & Board
$17,543/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,438/yr
Unemployment
6.9%
Graduation Rate
54%
Forensic Science Salary in Oakland (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Oakland's cost of living index of 132 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Forensic Science salary: $50,000 starting, $68,000 mid-career, $82,000 senior level.Oakland adjustment factor: 1.32x based on the local cost of living index.
Forensic Science ROI Calculator for Oakland
Estimate your return on investment for a Forensic Science degree using local Oakland tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,404 | Private avg: $43,067
Oakland avg aid: $12,438/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$115,788
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$19,800
vs HS diploma in Oakland
ROI Payback Period
5.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Oakland
$412,212
Lifetime earnings premium ($528,000) minus total education cost ($115,788)
Student Loan Payoff for Forensic Science in Oakland
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Oakland for Forensic Science
Mills College at Northeastern University
private
$42,250/yr
$169,000 total
Holy Names University
private
$41,232/yr
$164,928 total
Samuel Merritt University
private
$45,720/yr
$182,880 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Merritt College
$1,540/yr
Top Employers for Forensic Science in Oakland
Oakland offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Forensic Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Oakland Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Forensic Science Job Titles
Forensic Science in Nearby California Cities
Los Angeles, CA
$71K starting · COL 141
69 colleges
San Diego, CA
$70K starting · COL 140
68 colleges
San Jose, CA
$65K starting · COL 129
95 colleges
San Francisco, CA
$57K starting · COL 114
22 colleges
Fresno, CA
$59K starting · COL 118
37 colleges
Sacramento, CA
$56K starting · COL 112
38 colleges
Long Beach, CA
$58K starting · COL 116
14 colleges
Bakersfield, CA
$67K starting · COL 134
18 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Oakland
International Relations
$66K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$63K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$66K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$66K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$66K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$58K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$66K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$58K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science Degree in Oakland — 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 Oakland.