Forensic Science Degree in Peoria, IL — Salary & ROI 2026
Forensic Science degree analysis for Peoria, IL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$52K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$71K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.8 yrs
in Peoria
Cost of Living
104
index (100 = avg)
Forensic Science in Peoria, IL Overview
While Peoria has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Forensic Science students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $10,566/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Forensic Science enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in DNA Analysis and Toxicology. The adjusted starting salary in Peoria is approximately $52,000.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$8,032/yr
Private Tuition
$38,400/yr
Room & Board
$10,566/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$9,588/yr
Unemployment
5.6%
Graduation Rate
47%
Forensic Science Salary in Peoria (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Peoria's cost of living index of 104 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Forensic Science salary: $50,000 starting, $68,000 mid-career, $82,000 senior level.Peoria adjustment factor: 1.04x based on the local cost of living index.
Forensic Science ROI Calculator for Peoria
Estimate your return on investment for a Forensic Science degree using local Peoria tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,032 | Private avg: $38,400
Peoria avg aid: $9,588/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$74,392
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,600
vs HS diploma in Peoria
ROI Payback Period
4.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Peoria
$341,608
Lifetime earnings premium ($416,000) minus total education cost ($74,392)
Student Loan Payoff for Forensic Science in Peoria
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Peoria for Forensic Science
Bradley University
private
$38,400/yr
$153,600 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Illinois Central College
$4,980/yr
Top Employers for Forensic Science in Peoria
Peoria offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Forensic Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Peoria 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
Joliet, IL
$54K starting · COL 108
12 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
Waukegan, IL
$45K starting · COL 90.3
4 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Peoria
International Relations
$52K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$50K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$52K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$52K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$52K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$46K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$52K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$46K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science Degree in Peoria — 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 Peoria.