2027 Best Value Forensic Science And Technology Schools
[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 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 127 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
The forensic science and technology program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. 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.
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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. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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2027 Best Value Forensic Science And Technology Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in forensic science and technology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Forensic Science And Technology Schools
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice tops our 2027 list of the best value forensic science and technology schools in the United States. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for forensic science and technology graduates is $14,475. Forensic Science And Technology graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $57,403 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,475 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hillsborough Community College earned it the #2 place for forensic science and technology. Located in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,491, while out-of-state students pay about $9,088. Typical student debt for forensic science and technology graduates is $16,142. Forensic Science And Technology graduates of Hillsborough Community College earn a median of $44,101 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,142 median debt.
Grossmont College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in forensic science and technology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at St Petersburg College earned it the #4 place for forensic science and technology. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Students borrow a median of $24,385 to complete the forensic science and technology program here. Forensic Science And Technology graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $48,218 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,385 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College one of the best values for forensic science and technology. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,170, while out-of-state students pay about $8,050. Typical student debt for forensic science and technology graduates is $8,794. Soon after graduation, forensic science and technology degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $30,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chattahoochee Technical College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value forensic science and technology schools. Located in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,540 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,108. Typical student debt for forensic science and technology graduates is $9,616. Soon after graduation, forensic science and technology degree recipients from Chattahoochee Technical College generally make around $44,673. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lake Land College came in at #7 for value in forensic science and technology this year. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,415, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,769 to complete the forensic science and technology program here. Forensic Science And Technology graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $30,294 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Johnston Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value forensic science and technology schools. Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Smithfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,756, while out-of-state students pay about $8,900. Forensic Science And Technology graduates carry a median of $9,490 in student loans. Early-career forensic science and technology graduates make about $37,472. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Miami Dade College placed #9 among the best values for forensic science and technology. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. Students from in state pay about $2,838 in tuition and fees, 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.
West Georgia Technical College came in at #10 for value in forensic science and technology this year. Located in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,978 for out-of-state students. Forensic Science And Technology graduates carry a median of $12,651 in student loans. Early-career forensic science and technology graduates make about $39,922. That is a strong return on a $12,651 median debt.
Utah Valley University landed the #11 spot for forensic science and technology value this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Typical student debt for forensic science and technology graduates is $16,478. Soon after graduation, forensic science and technology degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $51,242. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pensacola State College placed #12 among the best values for forensic science and technology. Located in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,361, compared with $9,463 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for forensic science and technology graduates is $9,191. Forensic Science And Technology graduates of Pensacola State College earn a median of $45,811 early in their careers. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moreno Valley College earned the #13 position for value in forensic science and technology this year. Located in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Students borrow a median of $12,643 to complete the forensic science and technology program here. Soon after graduation, forensic science and technology degree recipients from Moreno Valley College generally make around $45,515. Set against $12,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fayetteville Technical Community College landed the #14 spot for forensic science and technology value this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,628 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,772 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $16,909 median debt.
Norco College landed the #15 spot for forensic science and technology value this year. Set in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Forensic Science And Technology graduates carry a median of $8,203 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,206. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Long Beach City College came in at #16 for value in forensic science and technology this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,556 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Forensic Science And Technology graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Florida State College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value forensic science and technology schools. Eastern Florida State College is a large public school located in the city of Melbourne. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,791, compared with $10,976 for out-of-state students. Forensic Science And Technology graduates carry a median of $18,123 in student loans. Early-career forensic science and technology graduates make about $44,690. That is a strong return on a $18,123 median debt.
Southern Crescent Technical College came in at #18 for value in forensic science and technology this year. Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Griffin. Students from in state pay about $3,516 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,084. Typical student debt for forensic science and technology graduates is $17,619. Forensic Science And Technology graduates of Southern Crescent Technical College earn a median of $45,062 early in their careers. Set against $17,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fullerton College earned the #19 position for value in forensic science and technology this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,151, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,366 ten years out.
Edison State College placed #20 among the best values for forensic science and technology. Edison State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,401, with out-of-state students paying around $12,979. Forensic Science And Technology graduates carry a median of $13,356 in student loans. Forensic Science And Technology graduates of Edison State College earn a median of $52,597 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,356 median debt.
Diablo Valley College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value forensic science and technology schools. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $1,312, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Forensic Science And Technology graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans. Soon after graduation, forensic science and technology degree recipients from Diablo Valley College generally make around $27,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida International University placed #22 among the best values for forensic science and technology. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Typical student debt for forensic science and technology graduates is $19,349. Soon after graduation, forensic science and technology degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $52,517. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
Forsyth Technical Community College placed #23 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. Students from in state pay about $2,276 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
Wake Technical Community College landed the #24 spot for forensic science and technology value this year. Set in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,254, compared with $6,862 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for forensic science and technology graduates is $17,900. Forensic Science And Technology graduates of Wake Technical Community College earn a median of $38,673 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Central Florida placed #25 among the best values for forensic science and technology. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for forensic science and technology graduates is $21,620. Early-career forensic science and technology graduates make about $51,790. Set against $21,620 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Forensic Science And Technology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in forensic science and technology:
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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Forensic Science And Technology. Browse the parent area of study.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 127 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 127 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
