Forensic Science Degree in Washington, DC — Salary & ROI 2026
Forensic Science degree analysis for Washington, DC. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$73K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$99K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.3 yrs
in Washington
Cost of Living
146
index (100 = avg)
Forensic Science in Washington, DC Overview
Washington is one of District of Columbia's top college towns, with 42 institutions and a student population of 55,233. Public tuition averages $12,276/year here — near the national average for public universities. Forensic Science enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in DNA Analysis and Toxicology. The adjusted starting salary in Washington is approximately $73,000.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
42
Public Tuition
$12,276/yr
Private Tuition
$51,262/yr
Room & Board
$22,009/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,537/yr
Unemployment
5.8%
Graduation Rate
60%
Forensic Science Salary in Washington (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Washington's cost of living index of 146 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Forensic Science salary: $50,000 starting, $68,000 mid-career, $82,000 senior level.Washington adjustment factor: 1.46x based on the local cost of living index.
Forensic Science ROI Calculator for Washington
Estimate your return on investment for a Forensic Science degree using local Washington tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,276 | Private avg: $51,262
Washington avg aid: $8,537/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$137,140
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$21,900
vs HS diploma in Washington
ROI Payback Period
6.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Washington
$446,860
Lifetime earnings premium ($584,000) minus total education cost ($137,140)
Student Loan Payoff for Forensic Science in Washington
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Washington for Forensic Science
Georgetown University
private
$62,052/yr
$248,208 total
George Washington University
private
$60,770/yr
$243,080 total
Howard University
private
$30,964/yr
$123,856 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
University of the District of Columbia Community College
$3,120/yr
Top Employers for Forensic Science in Washington
Washington offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Forensic Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Washington Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Forensic Science Job Titles
Other Social Sciences Majors in Washington
International Relations
$73K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$70K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$73K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$73K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$73K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$64K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$73K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$64K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science Degree in Washington — 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 Washington.