Best colleges for Military Applied Sciences
Ranked by graduate earnings
Compare 12 U.S. colleges offering Military Applied Sciences by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 9 states.
About Military Applied Sciences programs
The Military Applied Sciences program focuses on the intersection of military technologies and applied sciences, preparing students for a range of specialized fields. This program is ideal for individuals interested in pursuing careers that support military operations through advanced technological solutions and scientific applications.
Students in the Military Applied Sciences program will explore various specializations, including Combat Systems Engineering, Directed Energy Systems, and Space Systems Operations. Coursework is designed to provide a solid foundation in applied sciences relevant to military applications.
Top 12 institutions, 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.
Specializations within Military Applied Sciences
6 of the 8 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 29.03 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Space Systems OperationsCIP 29.0305partial data192 graduates / yr6 institutions4 states
- Military Applied SciencesCIP 29.0399partial data96 graduates / yr5 institutions5 states
- Undersea WarfareCIP 29.0307limited data32 graduates / yr1 institutions1 states
- Combat Systems EngineeringCIP 29.0301limited data19 graduates / yr1 institutions1 states
- Engineering AcousticsCIP 29.0303limited data6 graduates / yr2 institutions2 states
- Operational OceanographyCIP 29.0306limited data6 graduates / yr1 institutions1 states
Show all 8 codes (2 with no U.S. programs reported)+
- Directed Energy Systems29.0302
- Low-Observables and Stealth Technology29.0304
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Offered across 9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Californialimited | 1 | — | — |
| District of Columbialimited | 1 | — | — |
| Florida | 4 | — | — |
| Arizonalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Kansaslimited | 1 | — | — |
| Mississippilimited | 1 | — | — |
| Montanalimited | 1 | — | — |
| New Yorklimited | 1 | — | — |
| Oklahomalimited | 1 | — | — |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 17-3029, Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Military Applied Sciences program can expect a career outlook with little or no change, featuring approximately 5,700 annual job openings. The median wage for positions in this field is around $77,390, typically requiring an Associate's degree for entry-level roles.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Military Applied Sciences
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 29.03.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 29.03 (Military Applied Sciences) maps to 2 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 17-3029 | Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Otherprimary |
| 55-1019 | Military Officer Special and Tactical Operations Leaders, All Other |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Common questions
What specializations are available in this program?+
Specializations include Combat Systems Engineering, Directed Energy Systems, Engineering Acoustics, and more.
What is the typical education requirement for this field?+
Most positions require at least an Associate's degree.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 5,700 annual openings.
What is the median wage for careers in Military Applied Sciences?+
The median wage is approximately $77,390.
What is the CIP code for Military Applied Sciences?+
Military Applied Sciences maps to CIP 29.03 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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