Best institutions to study Geospatial Intelligence
A program that prepares individuals to analyze security and intelligence problems using a geographic perspective by relating human actions to cultural, political, economic, social, and physical landscapes.
6 U.S. institutions graduated 19 Geospatial Intelligence students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 43.0407, a specialization of Security Science and Technology (CIP 43.04), and leads most directly to the First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives occupation (BLS SOC 33-1012).
About Geospatial Intelligence programs
A program that prepares individuals to analyze security and intelligence problems using a geographic perspective by relating human actions to cultural, political, economic, social, and physical landscapes. Includes instruction in aerial photography analysis, cartography, geographic information systems (GIS), physical geography, remote sensing, spatial programming, and quantitative methods in geographic research.
See also: 45.0702 - Geographic Information Science and Cartography.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Geospatial Intelligence program, part of the Security Science and Technology field, prepares individuals to analyze security and intelligence issues through a geographic lens. This program is ideal for those interested in understanding the connections between human actions and various landscapes, including cultural, political, and economic factors.
Students will gain expertise in areas such as aerial photography analysis, cartography, geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, and quantitative methods in geographic research. Essential skills developed include critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication.
Credentials awarded
What Geospatial Intelligence graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year10 graduates / yr · 3 institutions53%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years4 graduates / yr · 1 institution21%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate4 graduates / yr · 1 institution21%
- Award of less than 12 weeks1 graduates / yr · 1 institution5.3%
Graduates over time
Geospatial Intelligence completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 14 |
| 2022 | 13 |
| 2023 | 21 |
| 2024 | 53 |
| 2025 | 19 |
CIP 43.0407 was introduced in CIP 2020, so the series starts when institutions began reporting under the new code.
Top 6 institutions for Geospatial 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 | Saginaw Valley State University University Center, MIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 5 | 48% | — |
| 2 | Indiana University of Pennsylvania Indiana, PAPublicPost-degree cert. | 4 | 56% | — |
| 3 | Mitchell Technical College Mitchell, SDPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 4 | 76% | — |
| 4 | University of North Georgia Dahlonega, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 37% | — |
| 5 | Wichita State University Wichita, KSPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 1 | 51% | — |
| 6 | West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Chester, PAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 71% | — |
Offered in 5 states
Where Geospatial Intelligence graduates come from. Each state links to all Security Science and Technology programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 2 | 5 | Indiana University of Pennsylvania4 / yr |
| Michigan | 1 | 5 | Saginaw Valley State University5 / yr |
| South Dakota | 1 | 4 | Mitchell Technical College4 / yr |
| Georgia | 1 | 4 | University of North Georgia4 / yr |
| Kansas | 1 | 1 | Wichita State University1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 33-1012, First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Geospatial Intelligence program can pursue careers as First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives, among other roles. The job outlook is about as fast as average, with an expected growth rate of 2.9% and approximately 10,900 annual openings. The median wage for these positions is $105,980, typically requiring a high school diploma or equivalent.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 43.0407
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectivesprimary SOC 33-1012 | $106,040 | +2.9% About as fast as average | ~10,900 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Detectives and Criminal Investigators SOC 33-3021 | $93,790 | -0.7% Little or no change | ~7,800 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1111 | $76,590 | +2.0% About as fast as average | ~1,200 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists SOC 17-1021 | $81,390 | +6.4% Faster than average | ~1,000 | Bachelor's degree |
Geography Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1064 | $97,590 | +3.3% About as fast as average | ~300 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Geographers SOC 19-3092 | $102,040 | -3.1% Decline | ~100 | Bachelor's degree |
SOC 55-1017 | — | — | — | — |
SOC 55-3018 | — | — | — | — |
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Geospatial Intelligence programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
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 and technology used
Other Security Science and Technology specializations
The 8 other 6-digit CIP codes under Security Science and Technology (CIP 43.04).
- Forensic Science and TechnologyCIP 43.04065,008 graduates / yr239 institutions
- Cyber/CIP 43.0403
Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism 2,457 graduates / yr126 institutions - Cybersecurity Defense Strategy/CIP 43.0404
Policy 1,710 graduates / yr66 institutions - Criminalistics and Criminal ScienceCIP 43.0402622 graduates / yr31 institutions
- Financial Forensics and Fraud InvestigationCIP 43.0405284 graduates / yr29 institutions
- Law Enforcement Intelligence AnalysisCIP 43.0408223 graduates / yr15 institutions
- Security Science and TechnologyCIP 43.0401partial data60 graduates / yr6 institutions
- Security Science and TechnologyCIP 43.0499limited data1 graduates / yr1 institutions
Common questions
What is Geospatial Intelligence?+
It is a program that analyzes security and intelligence problems using geographic perspectives.
What skills will I learn?+
You will learn skills in aerial photography analysis, GIS, remote sensing, and critical thinking.
What careers can I pursue?+
You can work as a First-Line Supervisor of Police, Detective, or in related fields.
What is the job outlook?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 2.9% and 10,900 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Geospatial Intelligence?+
Geospatial Intelligence is CIP 43.0407 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Security Science and Technology (CIP 43.04). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to analyze security and intelligence problems using a geographic perspective by relating human actions to cultural, political, economic, social, and physical landscapes. Includes instruction in aerial photography analysis, cartography, geographic information systems (GIS), physical geography, remote sensing, spatial programming, and quantitative methods in geographic research.
How many institutions offer Geospatial Intelligence programs?+
6 U.S. institutions reported Geospatial Intelligence graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 5 states, awarding 19 credentials in the year. That is 0.2% of all Security Science and Technology graduates.
How much do Geospatial Intelligence graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives occupation, which Geospatial Intelligence most directly leads to, pays a median of $106,040 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
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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