Intelligence Degree

7 schools compared · Average earnings $56,279/yr

Students study military intelligence gathering, analysis of security threats, information warfare, and the command-and-control systems used in national defense operations. Graduates typically pursue careers in military intelligence, the CIA, NSA, defense contracting firms, and cybersecurity operations for government agencies. Security clearances obtained through this field open doors to well-compensated positions in national defense.

What Intelligence Graduates Do

Your degree prepares you for a career spent piecing together complex puzzles. As a detective or criminal investigator, your day-to-day won't be high-speed chases but meticulous work: analyzing crime scenes, interviewing witnesses, and building detailed case files. Alternatively, you might become a cartographer, using satellite imagery and geographic data to create sophisticated maps that guide military or emergency response operations. Many start in these analyst or investigator roles before advancing to become a first-line supervisor, where you’ll shift from hands-on casework to managing teams, coordinating large-scale investigations, and setting strategy.

While the demand for specialized roles like cartographers is growing, traditional investigator positions face some headwinds. Across these fields, AI is changing the nature of the work. Expect technology to automate significant portions of routine analysis, such as sifting through terabytes of data or flagging anomalies in satellite imagery. Your job won’t disappear, but it will evolve. Your focus will shift from manual data collection to validating AI-generated leads, conducting critical human interviews, and making the ultimate judgment calls that technology cannot. Success will depend on your ability to adapt and leverage these powerful new tools.

Schools Offering
7
Avg Grad Earnings
$56,279/yr
Avg DegreeOutlook Score
43/100
AI Automation Risk
High
46% task exposure

Common Career Paths

Where Intelligence graduates typically work, ranked by salary. Salary ranges show 25th–75th percentile spread. This field has roughly 19,700 combined openings per year.

Career Path Salary Range Openings/yr Growth AI Risk
First-line supervisors of police and detectives
$105,980
$81K$134K
10,900 +2.9% 33%
Detectives and criminal investigators
$93,580
$68K$120K
7,800 -0.7% 53%
Cartographers and photogrammetrists
$78,380
$63K$100K
1,000 +6.4% 52%
First-line supervisors of police and detectives
$105,980
$81K $134K
10,900 openings/yr +2.9% growth 33% AI risk
Detectives and criminal investigators
$93,580
$68K $120K
7,800 openings/yr -0.7% growth 53% AI risk
Cartographers and photogrammetrists
$78,380
$63K $100K
1,000 openings/yr +6.4% growth 52% AI risk

Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. Salary range shows 25th–median–75th percentile (national).

Best Schools for Intelligence

7 schools ranked by DegreeOutlook Score. Click any row for full AI scenario analysis and earnings projections.

# School DW Score Earnings ROI
1 Norwich University
Northfield, VT
53
50–54
$73,947/yr 4.0x
2 Mercyhurst University
Erie, PA
46
41–47
$52,211/yr 3.5x
3 University of Advancing Technology
Tempe, AZ
45
40–46
$64,915/yr 7.4x
4 Excelsior University
Albany, NY
43
38–44
$64,071/yr
5 Maryville University of Saint Louis
Saint Louis, MO
42
38–43
$61,299/yr 4.6x
6 Citadel Military College of South Carolina
Charleston, SC
37
34–38
$42,362/yr 7.4x
7 Coastal Carolina University
Conway, SC
33
32–34
$35,150/yr 9.6x

Highest Earning Intelligence Programs

Schools where Intelligence graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.

School 1-Year Earnings DW Score
Norwich University $73,947/yr 53
University of Advancing Technology $64,915/yr 45
Excelsior University $64,071/yr 43
Maryville University of Saint Louis $61,299/yr 42
Mercyhurst University $52,211/yr 46
Citadel Military College of South Carolina $42,362/yr 37
Coastal Carolina University $35,150/yr 33

Best ROI for Intelligence

Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Intelligence.

School ROI Multiple Earnings DW Score
Coastal Carolina University 9.6x $35,150/yr 33
Citadel Military College of South Carolina 7.4x $42,362/yr 37
University of Advancing Technology 7.4x $64,915/yr 45
Maryville University of Saint Louis 4.6x $61,299/yr 42
Norwich University 4.0x $73,947/yr 53
Mercyhurst University 3.5x $52,211/yr 46
Want to compare two Intelligence programs side by side? Use the comparison tool →

Related Majors

Explore similar fields of study.

Consider the Trade Route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Intelligence offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Intelligence graduates earn?
Across 7 schools, Intelligence graduates earn an average of $56,279 per year in their first year after graduation. Earnings range from $35,150 to $73,947 depending on the school.
What is the AI automation risk for Intelligence?
Intelligence is rated "High" for AI automation risk, with an average of 46% of job tasks exposed to large language models and AI tools. This means some career tasks in this field could be augmented or replaced by AI over the next decade.
Which school has the best Intelligence program?
Based on our DegreeOutlook Score (combining earnings, AI resilience, job market size, and ROI), Norwich University ranks #1 for Intelligence with a score of 53/100 and graduate earnings of $73,947/yr.
What's the outlook for a Intelligence degree?
On average, Intelligence graduates earn 6.1x their in-state tuition over 10 years. This is a moderate return — school choice matters significantly.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →