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2026 Best Value Forensic Science And Technology Master’s Degree Schools

17 Colleges in the United States
$23,652 Avg Student Debt
$64,904 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Forensic Science And Technology Master's Degree Badge [Forensic Science And Technology](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/forensic-science-and-technology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 285 schools to find the best return on investment for forensic science and technology students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Forensic Science And Technology Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the forensic science and technology degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Forensic Science And Technology Schools

1

Leading the list is Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice, our #1 best value for forensic science and technology in the United States. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, 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. Forensic Science And Technology graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $70,714 early in their careers. Set against $14,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.

2

California State University Los Angeles came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value forensic science and technology schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $14,430 to complete the forensic science and technology program here. Forensic Science And Technology graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $66,598 early in their careers. Set against $14,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida International University earned it the #3 place for forensic science and technology. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, 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. Soon after graduation, forensic science and technology degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $52,517. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.

4

A rank of #4 makes University Of Illinois At Chicago one of the best values for forensic science and technology. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for forensic science and technology graduates is $20,115. Early-career forensic science and technology graduates make about $61,829. That is a strong return on a $20,115 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.

5
Marshall University crest
Marshall University
Huntington, WV

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Marshall University earned it the #5 place for forensic science and technology. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,162, while out-of-state students pay about $20,342. Typical student debt for forensic science and technology graduates is $25,250. Early-career forensic science and technology graduates make about $51,959. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.

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Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value forensic science and technology schools. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the forensic science and technology program here. Forensic Science And Technology graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $53,231 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

7

West Virginia University landed the #7 spot for forensic science and technology value this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Students borrow a median of $24,324 to complete the forensic science and technology program here. Forensic Science And Technology graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $74,438 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

8

Universidad Metropolitana placed #8 among the best values for forensic science and technology. Located in the city of San Juan, Universidad Metropolitana is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,750. Forensic Science And Technology graduates carry a median of $15,074 in student loans. Early-career forensic science and technology graduates make about $26,716. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Universidad Del Turabo landed the #9 spot for forensic science and technology value this year. Universidad Del Turabo is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Gurabo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,750. Students borrow a median of $14,155 to complete the forensic science and technology program here. Forensic Science And Technology graduates of Universidad Del Turabo earn a median of $31,188 early in their careers. Set against $14,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

University Of Maryland University College came in at #10 for value in forensic science and technology this year. Set in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,136, with out-of-state students paying around $12,336. Typical student debt for forensic science and technology graduates is $29,200. Soon after graduation, forensic science and technology degree recipients from University Of Maryland University College generally make around $101,880. Set against $29,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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University Of California Davis placed #11 among the best values for forensic science and technology. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,404 to complete the forensic science and technology program here. Early-career forensic science and technology graduates make about $65,299. That is a strong return on a $14,404 median debt. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.

12

George Mason University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value forensic science and technology schools. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Forensic Science And Technology graduates carry a median of $25,747 in student loans. Soon after graduation, forensic science and technology degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $70,427. Set against $25,747 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

13
Towson University crest
Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value forensic science and technology schools. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,820. Typical student debt for forensic science and technology graduates is $21,241. Forensic Science And Technology graduates of Towson University earn a median of $52,989 early in their careers. Set against $21,241 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Towson University admits about 82% of applicants.

14

University Of Alabama At Birmingham placed #14 among the best values for forensic science and technology. University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public school located in the city of Birmingham. Students from in state pay about $9,098 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,562 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,162 to complete the forensic science and technology program here. Early-career forensic science and technology graduates make about $55,413. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

15

University Of Baltimore placed #15 among the best values for forensic science and technology. Located in the city of Baltimore, University Of Baltimore is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, compared with $23,984 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for forensic science and technology graduates is $29,681. Soon after graduation, forensic science and technology degree recipients from University Of Baltimore generally make around $58,511. Set against $29,681 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.

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University Of Central Oklahoma landed the #16 spot for forensic science and technology value this year. University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public school located in the suburb of Edmond. Students from in state pay about $8,818 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,704. Forensic Science And Technology graduates carry a median of $23,350 in student loans. Soon after graduation, forensic science and technology degree recipients from University Of Central Oklahoma generally make around $38,710. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.

17

Virginia Commonwealth University placed #17 among the best values for forensic science and technology. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,720, with out-of-state students paying around $39,884. Typical student debt for forensic science and technology graduates is $26,000. Early-career forensic science and technology graduates make about $48,668. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

18

Texas Tech University landed the #18 spot for forensic science and technology value this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for forensic science and technology graduates is $24,271. Forensic Science And Technology graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $50,332 early in their careers. Set against $24,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.

19
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University landed the #19 spot for forensic science and technology value this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for forensic science and technology graduates is $25,213. Soon after graduation, forensic science and technology degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $54,166. Set against $25,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

20
La Salle University crest
La Salle University
Philadelphia, PA

La Salle University earned the #20 position for value in forensic science and technology this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,800 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,462 to complete the forensic science and technology program here. Soon after graduation, forensic science and technology degree recipients from La Salle University generally make around $54,618. That is a strong return on a $25,462 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

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Arizona State University Skysong earned the #21 position for value in forensic science and technology this year. Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public school located in the city of Scottsdale. In-state tuition and fees average $11,627, with out-of-state students paying around $13,925. Typical student debt for forensic science and technology graduates is $23,742. Early-career forensic science and technology graduates make about $55,793. Set against $23,742 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.

22

Grand Canyon University came in at #22 for value in forensic science and technology this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,508. Forensic Science And Technology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, forensic science and technology degree recipients from Grand Canyon University generally make around $37,481. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

23

Gannon University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value forensic science and technology schools. Gannon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Erie. In-state tuition and fees average $40,656. Students borrow a median of $26,934 to complete the forensic science and technology program here. Forensic Science And Technology graduates of Gannon University earn a median of $73,658 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,934 median debt. Gannon University admits about 74% of applicants.

24
Stevenson University crest
Stevenson University
Owings Mills, MD

Stevenson University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value forensic science and technology schools. Set in the suburb of Owings Mills, Stevenson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,560 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,042 to complete the forensic science and technology program here. Forensic Science And Technology graduates of Stevenson University earn a median of $62,501 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

25
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University came in at #25 for value in forensic science and technology this year. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Typical student debt for forensic science and technology graduates is $25,232. Forensic Science And Technology graduates of Boston University earn a median of $57,616 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.

Rest of the Top 34 Best Value Forensic Science And Technology Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in forensic science and technology:

26
27
28
National University crest
National University
San Diego, CA
29
University Of New Haven crest
University Of New Haven
West Haven, CT
30
Duquesne University crest
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA
31
Hofstra University crest
Hofstra University
Hempstead, NY
32
33
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY
34

Other Forensic Science And Technology Degree Levels

Explore the best-value forensic science and technology schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Forensic Science And Technology
Associate's Degrees in Forensic Science And Technology
Bachelor's Degrees in Forensic Science And Technology
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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, 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 17 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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