Forensic Science Degree in Sparks, NV — Salary & ROI 2026
Forensic Science degree analysis for Sparks, NV. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$53K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$72K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6 yrs
in Sparks
Cost of Living
105.2
index (100 = avg)
Forensic Science in Sparks, NV Overview
While Sparks has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Forensic Science students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $14,754/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 Sparks is approximately $52,600.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$8,900/yr
Private Tuition
$24,000/yr
Room & Board
$14,754/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,917/yr
Unemployment
5.8%
Graduation Rate
64%
Forensic Science Salary in Sparks (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Sparks's cost of living index of 105.2 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Forensic Science salary: $50,000 starting, $68,000 mid-career, $82,000 senior level.Sparks adjustment factor: 1.05x based on the local cost of living index.
Forensic Science ROI Calculator for Sparks
Estimate your return on investment for a Forensic Science degree using local Sparks tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,900 | Private avg: $24,000
Sparks avg aid: $11,917/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$94,616
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,780
vs HS diploma in Sparks
ROI Payback Period
6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Sparks
$326,184
Lifetime earnings premium ($420,800) minus total education cost ($94,616)
Student Loan Payoff for Forensic Science in Sparks
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Sparks for Forensic Science
Sparks State University
public
$8,021/yr
$32,084 total
University of Sparks
public
$8,296/yr
$33,184 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Sparks Community College
$5,982/yr
Top Employers for Forensic Science in Sparks
Sparks offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Forensic Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Sparks Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Forensic Science Job Titles
Forensic Science in Nearby Nevada Cities
Las Vegas, NV
$58K starting · COL 115
45 colleges
Henderson, NV
$65K starting · COL 129
12 colleges
Reno, NV
$58K starting · COL 116
21 colleges
North Las Vegas, NV
$49K starting · COL 98.5
10 colleges
Spring Valley, NV
$50K starting · COL 100.2
8 colleges
Sunrise Manor, NV
$48K starting · COL 95.8
7 colleges
Paradise, NV
$50K starting · COL 100.5
7 colleges
Enterprise, NV
$52K starting · COL 103.8
7 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Sparks
International Relations
$53K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$50K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$53K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$53K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$53K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$46K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$53K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$46K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science Degree in Sparks — 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 Sparks.