Forensic Science Degree in Renton, WA — Salary & ROI 2026
Forensic Science degree analysis for Renton, WA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$61K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$83K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6 yrs
in Renton
Cost of Living
122.5
index (100 = avg)
Forensic Science in Renton, WA Overview
While Renton has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Forensic Science students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $15,923/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 Renton is approximately $61,250.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$11,800/yr
Private Tuition
$40,000/yr
Room & Board
$15,923/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,424/yr
Unemployment
4.5%
Graduation Rate
64%
Forensic Science Salary in Renton (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Renton's cost of living index of 122.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Forensic Science salary: $50,000 starting, $68,000 mid-career, $82,000 senior level.Renton adjustment factor: 1.23x based on the local cost of living index.
Forensic Science ROI Calculator for Renton
Estimate your return on investment for a Forensic Science degree using local Renton tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,800 | Private avg: $40,000
Renton avg aid: $15,424/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$110,892
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$18,375
vs HS diploma in Renton
ROI Payback Period
6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Renton
$379,108
Lifetime earnings premium ($490,000) minus total education cost ($110,892)
Student Loan Payoff for Forensic Science in Renton
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Renton for Forensic Science
Renton State University
public
$11,303/yr
$45,212 total
University of Renton
public
$13,258/yr
$53,032 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Renton Community College
$5,805/yr
Top Employers for Forensic Science in Renton
Renton offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Forensic Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Renton Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Forensic Science Job Titles
Forensic Science in Nearby Washington Cities
Seattle, WA
$60K starting · COL 120
16 colleges
Spokane, WA
$61K starting · COL 121
20 colleges
Tacoma, WA
$57K starting · COL 113
25 colleges
Vancouver, WA
$54K starting · COL 108.5
7 colleges
Bellevue, WA
$89K starting · COL 178.5
6 colleges
Kent, WA
$58K starting · COL 115.8
6 colleges
Everett, WA
$59K starting · COL 118.2
5 colleges
Spokane Valley, WA
$62K starting · COL 123.1
4 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Renton
International Relations
$61K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$59K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$61K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$61K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$61K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$54K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$61K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$54K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science Degree in Renton — 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 Renton.