Best Intelligence institutions in the US, ranked by earnings
Compare 75 U.S. colleges offering Intelligence by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 33 states.
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 8 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).
| # | Institution | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Completions | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Norwich University Northfield, VT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $73,947 | 142 | 60% | $23,982 | $8,333 |
| 2 | University of Advancing Technology Tempe, AZ Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $64,915 | 40 | 35% | $21,175 | $31,000 |
| 3 | Excelsior University Albany, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $64,071 | 44 | — | — | $10,528 |
| 4 | Maryville University of Saint Louis Saint Louis, MO Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $61,299 | 260 | 66% | $24,921 | $22,250 |
| 5 | Mercyhurst University Erie, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $52,211 | 87 | 60% | $25,987 | $25,625 |
| 6 | Cochise County Community College District Sierra Vista, AZ Public · Associate degree | $48,755 | 791 | 30% | — | $16,642 |
| 7 | Citadel Military College of South Carolina Charleston, SC Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,362 | 113 | 75% | — | $26,499 |
| 8 | Coastal Carolina University Conway, SC Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,150 | 67 | 48% | — | $24,878 |
Offered across 33 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 | 6 | $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 | 2 | — | — |
| Illinoislimited | 2 | — | — |
| Indiana | 5 | — | — |
| Iowalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Kansas | 3 | — | — |
| Kentuckylimited | 2 | — | — |
| Maryland | 4 | — | — |
| Massachusettslimited | 1 | — | — |
| Michiganlimited | 1 | — | — |
| New Hampshirelimited | 2 | — | — |
| New Jerseylimited | 1 | — | — |
| New Mexicolimited | 1 | — | — |
| North Carolinalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Ohio | 3 | — | — |
| Oregonlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Rhode Islandlimited | 1 | — | — |
| South Dakotalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Texas | 3 | — | — |
| Utahlimited | 2 | — | — |
| Virginia | 5 | — | — |
| Oklahomalimited | 2 | — | — |
| 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
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.
Tools & technology
Concentrations within Intelligence
Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).
- Intelligence, GeneralCIP 29.0201
A program that focuses on the principles and techniques of intelligence acquisition, analysis and exploitation
- Strategic IntelligenceCIP 29.0202
A program that focuses on the management, analysis and use of national-level, theatre-level, and international intelligence and related policy issues
- Signal/Geospatial IntelligenceCIP 29.0203
A program that focuses on the theory, technology and operational aspects of collecting, processing and exploiting remote-sensed, radar, acoustic and other forms of signals intelligence
- Command & Control (C3, C4I) Systems and OperationsCIP 29.0204
A program that focuses on the theory, technology and operational use of information and decision systems in support of battlefield, theatre, and global strategic operations
- Information Operations/Joint Information OperationsCIP 29.0205
A program that focuses on the strategic and operational use of information relative to the support of military and strategic policy and objectives
- Information/Psychological Warfare and Military Media RelationsCIP 29.0206
A program that focuses on the support of military and strategic operations and policy via the use of information as a tool of statecraft and warfighting
- Cyber/Electronic Operations and WarfareCIP 29.0207
A program that focuses on the technological and operation aspects of information warfare, including cyber attack and cyber defense
- Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations, OtherCIP 29.0299
Any instructional program in intelligence, command control and information operations not listed above.
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.
Related programs
Other programs in the same field of study.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card