[Forensic Science And Technology](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/forensic-science-and-technology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong forensic science and technology education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 285 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for forensic science and technology students.
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Finding the Best Value Forensic Science And Technology School for You
Where you study forensic science and technology affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Forensic Science And Technology Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Forensic Science And Technology Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
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Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice tops our 2026 list of the best value forensic science and technology schools in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Students borrow a median of $14,475 to complete the forensic science and technology program here. Early-career forensic science and technology graduates make about $57,403. That is a strong return on a $14,475 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Grossmont College earned it the #2 place for forensic science and technology. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moreno Valley College earned it the #3 place for forensic science and technology. Located in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for forensic science and technology graduates is $12,643. Forensic Science And Technology graduates of Moreno Valley College earn a median of $45,515 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value forensic science and technology schools. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Forensic Science And Technology graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans. Soon after graduation, forensic science and technology degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $66,598. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Hillsborough Community College one of the best values for forensic science and technology. Hillsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. In-state tuition and fees average $2,491, while out-of-state students pay about $9,088. Students borrow a median of $16,142 to complete the forensic science and technology program here. Early-career forensic science and technology graduates make about $44,101. Set against $16,142 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Petersburg College earned the #6 position for value in forensic science and technology this year. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,682 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,286 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for forensic science and technology graduates is $24,385. Soon after graduation, forensic science and technology degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $48,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Carolina Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value forensic science and technology schools. Set in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,711, compared with $8,855 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for forensic science and technology graduates is $10,266. Early-career forensic science and technology graduates make about $38,198. That is a strong return on a $10,266 median debt.
Norco College placed #8 among the best values for forensic science and technology. Set in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Typical student debt for forensic science and technology graduates is $8,203. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,206. Set against $8,203 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chattahoochee Technical College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value forensic science and technology schools. Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Marietta. Students from in state pay about $3,540 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,108. Typical student debt for forensic science and technology graduates is $9,616. Early-career forensic science and technology graduates make about $44,673. That is a strong return on a $9,616 median debt.
Riverside City College earned the #10 position for value in forensic science and technology this year. Riverside City College is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Forensic Science And Technology graduates carry a median of $8,767 in student loans. Soon after graduation, forensic science and technology degree recipients from Riverside City College generally make around $37,102. That is a strong return on a $8,767 median debt.
West Georgia Technical College placed #11 among the best values for forensic science and technology. Located in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,410, while out-of-state students pay about $5,978. Forensic Science And Technology graduates carry a median of $12,651 in student loans. Forensic Science And Technology graduates of West Georgia Technical College earn a median of $39,922 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Miami Dade College came in at #12 for value in forensic science and technology this year. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,838, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,967 to complete the forensic science and technology program here. Early-career forensic science and technology graduates make about $40,267. That is a strong return on a $11,967 median debt.
Fayetteville Technical Community College placed #13 among the best values for forensic science and technology. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,628 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Forensic Science And Technology graduates carry a median of $16,909 in student loans. Soon after graduation, forensic science and technology degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $40,584. Set against $16,909 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Long Beach City College placed #14 among the best values for forensic science and technology. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,556, compared with $12,544 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for forensic science and technology graduates is $6,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,870. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harper College came in at #15 for value in forensic science and technology this year. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,894, while out-of-state students pay about $11,874. Forensic Science And Technology graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. Soon after graduation, forensic science and technology degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $44,523. Set against $10,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Crescent Technical College came in at #16 for value in forensic science and technology this year. Set in the town of Griffin, Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,516, compared with $6,084 for out-of-state students. Forensic Science And Technology graduates carry a median of $17,619 in student loans. Forensic Science And Technology graduates of Southern Crescent Technical College earn a median of $45,062 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,619 median debt.
Eastern Florida State College landed the #17 spot for forensic science and technology value this year. Located in the city of Melbourne, Eastern Florida State College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,791 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,976. Students borrow a median of $18,123 to complete the forensic science and technology program here. Soon after graduation, forensic science and technology degree recipients from Eastern Florida State College generally make around $44,690. Set against $18,123 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wake Technical Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value forensic science and technology schools. Set in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,254, while out-of-state students pay about $6,862. Students borrow a median of $17,900 to complete the forensic science and technology program here. Forensic Science And Technology graduates of Wake Technical Community College earn a median of $38,673 early in their careers. Set against $17,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Forsyth Technical Community College placed #19 among the best values for forensic science and technology. Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Winston-Salem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,276, while out-of-state students pay about $6,884. Students borrow a median of $16,374 to complete the forensic science and technology program here. Soon after graduation, forensic science and technology degree recipients from Forsyth Technical Community College generally make around $38,094. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Farmingdale State College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value forensic science and technology schools. Farmingdale State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Farmingdale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,626, with out-of-state students paying around $18,536. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the forensic science and technology program here. Early-career forensic science and technology graduates make about $38,789. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Farmingdale State College admits about 63% of applicants.
Florida International University earned the #21 position for value in forensic science and technology this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the forensic science and technology program here. Early-career forensic science and technology graduates make about $52,517. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Fayetteville State University landed the #22 spot for forensic science and technology value this year. Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,353, while out-of-state students pay about $8,353. Students borrow a median of $27,869 to complete the forensic science and technology program here. Forensic Science And Technology graduates of Fayetteville State University earn a median of $41,449 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Utah Valley University came in at #23 for value in forensic science and technology this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for forensic science and technology graduates is $16,478. Early-career forensic science and technology graduates make about $51,242. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
Edison State College earned the #24 position for value in forensic science and technology this year. Edison State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,401, compared with $12,979 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,356 to complete the forensic science and technology program here. Early-career forensic science and technology graduates make about $52,597. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fox Valley Technical College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value forensic science and technology schools. Located in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $7,283. Typical student debt for forensic science and technology graduates is $17,000. Forensic Science And Technology graduates of Fox Valley Technical College earn a median of $35,887 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,000 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Forensic Science And Technology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s forensic science and technology value ranking:
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Forensic Science And Technology Related Rankings by Major
Forensic Science And Technology is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 285 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 65 ranked schools only.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
[Forensic Science And Technology](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/forensic-science-and-technology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong forensic science and technology education at a price that pays off.
