Best colleges for Intelligence
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Intelligence by graduate earnings are Norwich University ($73,947), University of Advancing Technology ($64,915) and Maryville University of Saint Louis ($61,299), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Norwich University (Northfield, VT): $73,947, 109 graduates a year
- University of Advancing Technology (Tempe, AZ): $64,915, 28 graduates a year
- Maryville University of Saint Louis (Saint Louis, MO): $61,299, 177 graduates a year
- Mercyhurst University (Erie, PA): $52,211, 69 graduates a year
- Citadel Military College of South Carolina (Charleston, SC): $42,362, 112 graduates a year
Compare 72 U.S. colleges offering Intelligence by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 35 states.
Intelligence programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $61,299 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 29.02 and the First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives occupation (BLS SOC).
About Intelligence programs
The Intelligence program, officially titled 'Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations,' focuses on the study of military technologies and applied sciences. It prepares students for a career in the intelligence field, which encompasses various roles related to information gathering, analysis, and operations within military and security contexts. This program is ideal for those interested in pursuing careers in national security, law enforcement, and related fields.
Students in the Intelligence program will develop essential skills such as reading comprehension, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework covers a range of topics including public safety, law and government, and psychological principles, equipping students with the knowledge necessary for successful careers in intelligence and operations.
Top 7 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Norwich University Northfield, VT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $73,947 | 109 | 60% | $23,982 | $8,333 |
| 2 | University of Advancing Technology Tempe, AZ Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $64,915 | 28 | 35% | $21,175 | $31,000 |
| 3 | Maryville University of Saint Louis Saint Louis, MO Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $61,299 | 177 | 66% | $24,921 | $22,250 |
| 4 | Mercyhurst University Erie, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $52,211 | 69 | 60% | $25,987 | $25,625 |
| 5 | Citadel Military College of South Carolina Charleston, SC Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,362 | 112 | 75% | — | $26,499 |
| 6 | Coastal Carolina University Conway, SC Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,150 | 59 | 48% | — | $24,878 |
| 7 | Excelsior University Albany, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Online | $64,071 | 44 | — | — | $10,528 |
Top certificate or associate program
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cochise County Community College District Sierra Vista, AZ Public · Associate degree | $48,755 | 652 | 30% | — | $16,642 |
Specializations within Intelligence
6 of the 8 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 29.02 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- IntelligenceCIP 29.02011,988 graduates / yr22 institutions16 states
- Cyber/CIP 29.0207
Electronic Operations and Warfare 1,576 graduates / yr39 institutions21 states - Strategic IntelligenceCIP 29.0202303 graduates / yr11 institutions9 states
- IntelligenceCIP 29.0299limited data75 graduates / yr2 institutions2 states
- Signal/CIP 29.0203
Geospatial Intelligence partial data35 graduates / yr7 institutions5 states - Information/CIP 29.0206
Psychological Warfare and Military Media Relations limited data7 graduates / yr1 institutions1 states
Show all 8 codes (2 with no U.S. programs reported)+
- Command & Control (C329.0204
- Information Operations/
Joint Information Operations29.0205
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Offered across 35 states
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
| State | Institutions | Median earnings | Top institution by earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vermontlimited | 1 | $73,947 | Norwich University |
| Arizona | 3 | $64,915 | University of Advancing Technology |
| New Yorklimited | 2 | $64,071 | Excelsior University |
| Missouri | 4 | $61,299 | Maryville University of Saint Louis |
| Pennsylvania | 8 | $52,211 | Mercyhurst University |
| South Carolinalimited | 2 | $42,362 | Citadel Military College of South Carolina |
| Alaskalimited | 1 | — | — |
| California | 3 | — | — |
| Coloradolimited | 1 | — | — |
| District of Columbialimited | 2 | — | — |
| Florida | 3 | — | — |
| Idaholimited | 1 | — | — |
| Illinoislimited | 1 | — | — |
| Indiana | 5 | — | — |
| Iowalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Kansaslimited | 1 | — | — |
| Kentuckylimited | 1 | — | — |
| Louisianalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Maryland | 5 | — | — |
| Massachusettslimited | 1 | — | — |
| Michiganlimited | 1 | — | — |
| New Hampshirelimited | 1 | — | — |
| New Jerseylimited | 1 | — | — |
| New Mexicolimited | 1 | — | — |
| North Carolinalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Ohio | 3 | — | — |
| Oregonlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Rhode Islandlimited | 1 | — | — |
| South Dakotalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Texas | 3 | — | — |
| Utahlimited | 2 | — | — |
| Virginia | 4 | — | — |
| Washingtonlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Oklahomalimited | 1 | — | — |
| West Virginialimited | 1 | — | — |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 33-1012, First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Intelligence program can expect a job outlook that is about as fast as average, with an estimated growth rate of 2.9% and approximately 10,900 annual job openings. The median wage for positions in this field is around $105,980, and typical education requirements include a high school diploma or equivalent.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Intelligence
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 29.02.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 29.02 (Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations) maps to 7 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 17-1021 | Cartographers and Photogrammetrists |
| 33-1012 | First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectivesprimary |
| 33-3021 | Detectives and Criminal Investigators |
| 55-1015 | Command and Control Center Officers |
| 55-1017 | Special Forces Officers |
| 55-3015 | Command and Control Center Specialists |
| 55-3018 | Special Forces |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Intelligence programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Supervise and coordinate the investigation of criminal cases, offering guidance and expertise to investigators, and ensuring that procedures are conducted in accordance with laws and regulations.
- Prepare work schedules and assign duties to subordinates.
- Direct collection, preparation, and handling of evidence and personal property of prisoners.
- Investigate and resolve personnel problems within organization and charges of misconduct against staff.
- Explain police operations to subordinates to assist them in performing their job duties.
- Maintain logs, prepare reports, and direct the preparation, handling, and maintenance of departmental records.
Common questions
What careers can I pursue with a degree in Intelligence?+
Graduates can work in national security, law enforcement, intelligence analysis, and military operations.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will enhance skills in critical thinking, communication, and knowledge of public safety and security.
What is the job outlook for Intelligence graduates?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 2.9% and around 10,900 annual openings.
What is the median wage for careers in this field?+
The median wage for positions in the intelligence field is approximately $105,980.
How much do Intelligence graduates earn?+
Intelligence graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $61,299, College Scorecard (2019); the First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives occupation pays about $112,190 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Intelligence?+
Intelligence maps to CIP 29.02 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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