Best institutions to study Strategic Intelligence
A program that focuses on the management, analysis and use of national-level, theatre-level, and international intelligence and related policy issues.
11 U.S. institutions graduated 303 Strategic Intelligence students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 29.0202, a specialization of Intelligence (CIP 29.02).
About Strategic Intelligence programs
A program that focuses on the management, analysis and use of national-level, theatre-level, and international intelligence and related policy issues. Includes instruction in intelligence organization and management, strategic uses of intelligence, management of intelligence systems and assets, command and control, joint intelligence operations, electronic and signals intelligence, threat assessment and estimation, intelligence analysis and reporting, counterintelligence, and studies of specific regions and situations.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Strategic Intelligence program focuses on the management and analysis of intelligence at national, theatre, and international levels. It is designed for individuals interested in understanding and addressing complex intelligence and policy issues, making it suitable for students pursuing careers in military, government, and security sectors. This program equips students with the tools to navigate the intricacies of intelligence operations and management.
Students in the Strategic Intelligence program will gain knowledge in intelligence organization, management of intelligence systems, command and control, and joint intelligence operations. Coursework also covers electronic and signals intelligence, threat assessment, and counterintelligence, providing a comprehensive understanding of the field.
Credentials awarded
What Strategic Intelligence graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Postbaccalaureate certificate139 graduates / yr · 6 institutions46%
- Master's degree102 graduates / yr · 6 institutions34%
- Bachelor's degree48 graduates / yr · 4 institutions16%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship14 graduates / yr · 2 institutions4.6%
Graduates over time
Strategic Intelligence completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 27 |
| 2013 | 25 |
| 2014 | 26 |
| 2015 | 31 |
| 2016 | 36 |
| 2017 | 32 |
| 2018 | 57 |
| 2019 | 87 |
| 2020 | 346 |
| 2021 | 491 |
| 2022 | 405 |
| 2023 | 344 |
| 2024 | 295 |
| 2025 | 303 |
Top 11 institutions for Strategic Intelligence, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harvard University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 73 | 98% | $15,013 |
| 2 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MOPublicPost-degree cert.Master'sDoctoral | 66 | 58% | — |
| 3 | Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey Monterey, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 35 | — | — |
| 4 | American Public University System Charles Town, WVPrivate for-profitPost-degree cert.Doctoral | 30 | 57% | $10,199 |
| 5 | University of New Hampshire at Manchester Manchester, NHPublicMaster's | 23 | 50% | — |
| 6 | Patrick Henry College Purcellville, VAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 22 | 74% | — |
| 7 | Institute of World Politics Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 13 | — | — |
| 8 | Saint Louis University Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 12 | 80% | $24,886 |
| 9 | Fayetteville State University Fayetteville, NCPublicBachelor's | 12 | 38% | — |
| 10 | Dakota State University Madison, SDPublicBachelor's | 10 | 51% | — |
| 11 | National American University - Rapid City Rapid City, SDPrivate for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 7 | 0% | $22,086 |
Offered in 9 states
Where Strategic Intelligence graduates come from. Each state links to all Intelligence programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri | 2 | 78 | Missouri State University - Springfield66 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 1 | 73 | Harvard University73 / yr |
| California | 1 | 35 | Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey35 / yr |
| West Virginia | 1 | 30 | American Public University System30 / yr |
| New Hampshire | 1 | 23 | University of New Hampshire at Manchester23 / yr |
| Virginia | 1 | 22 | Patrick Henry College22 / yr |
| South Dakota | 2 | 17 | Dakota State University10 / yr |
| District of Columbia | 1 | 13 | Institute of World Politics13 / yr |
| North Carolina | 1 | 12 | Fayetteville State University12 / yr |
Careers & outlook
Graduates of the Strategic Intelligence program can pursue various careers in intelligence analysis, operations, and policy-making. With approximately 303 graduates per year across the U.S. and 11 colleges offering this program, the field presents numerous opportunities for those seeking to contribute to national and international security.
Career pathways for CIP 29.0202
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
SOC 55-1017 | — | — | — | — |
SOC 55-3018 | — | — | — | — |
Other Intelligence specializations
The 7 other 6-digit CIP codes under Intelligence (CIP 29.02).
- IntelligenceCIP 29.02011,988 graduates / yr22 institutions
- Cyber/CIP 29.0207
Electronic Operations and Warfare 1,576 graduates / yr39 institutions - IntelligenceCIP 29.0299limited data75 graduates / yr2 institutions
- Signal/CIP 29.0203
Geospatial Intelligence partial data35 graduates / yr7 institutions - Information/CIP 29.0206
Psychological Warfare and Military Media Relations limited data7 graduates / yr1 institutions
Show 2 more CIP codes 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.
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Postbaccalaureate certificate, Master's degree, Bachelor's degree, or a Doctor's degree in Strategic Intelligence.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in intelligence management, analysis, and operations, as well as knowledge of threat assessment and counterintelligence.
What types of careers can I pursue?+
Careers include roles in intelligence analysis, operations, and policy-making within military and government sectors.
How many colleges offer this program?+
There are 11 colleges in the U.S. that offer the Strategic Intelligence program.
What is the CIP code for Strategic Intelligence?+
Strategic Intelligence is CIP 29.0202 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Intelligence (CIP 29.02). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the management, analysis and use of national-level, theatre-level, and international intelligence and related policy issues. Includes instruction in intelligence organization and management, strategic uses of intelligence, management of intelligence systems and assets, command and control, joint intelligence operations, electronic and signals intelligence, threat assessment and estimation, intelligence analysis and reporting, counterintelligence, and studies of specific regions and situations.
How many institutions offer Strategic Intelligence programs?+
11 U.S. institutions reported Strategic Intelligence graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 9 states, awarding 303 credentials in the year. That is 7.6% of all Intelligence graduates.
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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