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Military Tech
Salary data, career paths, top colleges, and every specialization, all sourced from College Scorecard, IPEDS, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
About Military Tech
Wondering whether Military Tech is worth studying? What matters is what graduates actually earn, where they end up working, and which colleges produce the most of them. Most graduates end up in this field, so it is worth knowing what a Detective & Criminal Investigator earns and how the role is projected to grow.
Defense technology and military science. Specialized training tied to military service, national security agencies, and defense contractor careers. Four years after finishing the degree, graduates in this field earn a national median of $75,390, per College Scorecard. You can study it at 97 colleges and universities across the country, so location is rarely the limiting factor. About 4,568 students complete a degree in this area every year.
- Median Earnings · 1yr
- $61,299
- Median Earnings · 4yr
- $75,390
- Colleges Offering
- 97
- Graduates / Year
- 4,568
- Specializations
- 5
- Avg Net Price / yr
- $22,804
Is a Military Tech Degree Right for You?
$75,390
Median earnings · 4yr
+0.2%
10yr job growth
5
Specializations
Is the Investment Worth It?
Breaks even in
~2
yrs
vs $30K/yr baseline wage
Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $75,390 against an estimated $91,216 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.
ROI varies significantly by specialization and institution. A top program in a high-demand specialization can return many multiples of its cost. A lower-tier program in a saturated field may take a decade to break even. Use the Specializations and Best Colleges sections above to compare your specific options before deciding.
How Much Do Military Tech Majors Earn?
Pay for Military Tech graduates climbs fast in the first few years out. The median start is $61,299 one year after graduation, rising to $75,390 by year four, so the early salary is not the ceiling. Source: College Scorecard, across all 97 US institutions offering programs in this field.
$61,299
1 Year After Graduation
Median at the institutional level. Entry-level salaries; reflects career start, not peak earnings.
$75,390
4-Year National Median
Enrollment-weighted national median across all institutions. Most graduates have 2-3 years of career experience at this point.
$81,205
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size. Closer to what a typical school's graduates earn.
Earnings Range Across Specializations
Not all Military Tech specializations pay the same. The most lucrative programs pay $75,803/yr nationally, while the lowest-earning specializations average $75,390/yr. See the Specializations section below for a program-by-program breakdown.
$75,390
Lowest
$75,390
Median
$75,803
Highest
What Can You Do With a Military Tech Degree?
Career Paths for Military Tech Graduates
Studying Military Tech does not lock you into one job title. It opens 3 occupations tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, from entry-level roles to senior ones, and Detective & Criminal Investigator pays the most among them at a median $93,790 a year. Each row below adds national wages, employment levels, and the 10-year growth outlook so you can weigh the rest.
Another common path leads to what Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians typically earn and how the field is trending.
Detective & Criminal Investigator
High school diploma or equivalent
$93,790
↗ +0.2% growth
Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians
Associate's degree
$82,890
↗ +11.9% growth
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists
Bachelor's degree
$81,390
↗ +7.4% growth
Military Tech Specializations
Military Tech spans 4 specializations, and the choice among them will not swing your paycheck much: four-year earnings run from $75,390 to $75,803 across the whole group. Each row links to a full program profile with institution counts and annual completion data. Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying specialization is the cost and outcomes for an Intelligence program, which is worth a closer look before settling on the broader field.
Specialization
Colleges
Grads/yr
Earnings · 4yr
Best Colleges for Military Tech
These are the 20 colleges that graduate the most students in Military Tech, ranked by how many completed the degree in the most recent reporting year, not by selectivity or prestige. Acceptance rate, net price, earnings, and graduation rate for each one come from College Scorecard and IPEDS.
By that measure, the list starts with the cost and admissions data for University of Arizona.
1
University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ · Public
Acceptance
86.1%
Net price/yr
$16,674
Earnings 10yr
$59,979
Grad rate
58%
2
Georgetown University
Washington, DC · Nonprofit
Acceptance
12.9%
Net price/yr
$40,815
Earnings 10yr
$103,494
Grad rate
90%
3
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA · Nonprofit
Acceptance
99%
Net price/yr
$29,357
Earnings 10yr
$44,813
Grad rate
34%
4
Maryville University of Saint Louis
Saint Louis, MO · Nonprofit
Acceptance
95.1%
Net price/yr
$22,066
Earnings 10yr
$62,105
Grad rate
59%
5
Webster University
Saint Louis, MO · Nonprofit
Acceptance
86.2%
Net price/yr
$27,047
Earnings 10yr
$50,876
Grad rate
53%
6
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA · Nonprofit
Acceptance
3.7%
Net price/yr
$19,066
Earnings 10yr
$101,817
Grad rate
87%
7
Citadel Military College of South Carolina
Charleston, SC · Public
Acceptance
22.7%
Net price/yr
$20,723
Earnings 10yr
$72,085
Grad rate
73%
8
Norwich University
Northfield, VT · Nonprofit
Acceptance
74.4%
Net price/yr
$22,257
Earnings 10yr
$65,575
Grad rate
61%
9
Mercyhurst University
Erie, PA · Nonprofit
Acceptance
81%
Net price/yr
$19,444
Earnings 10yr
$47,452
Grad rate
44%
10
Coastal Carolina University
Conway, SC · Public
Acceptance
75.3%
Net price/yr
$13,966
Earnings 10yr
$47,258
Grad rate
49%
11
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD · Nonprofit
Acceptance
6.4%
Net price/yr
$18,809
Earnings 10yr
$87,555
Grad rate
87%
12
Missouri State University-Springfield
Springfield, MO · Public
Acceptance
90.5%
Net price/yr
$17,613
Earnings 10yr
$49,827
Grad rate
52%
13
Florida Institute of Technology
Melbourne, FL · Nonprofit
Acceptance
57.7%
Net price/yr
$35,639
Earnings 10yr
$43,137
Grad rate
22%
14
Iowa State University
Ames, IA · Public
Acceptance
88.7%
Net price/yr
$18,589
Earnings 10yr
$63,386
Grad rate
69%
15
University of Advancing Technology
Tempe, AZ · For-Profit
Acceptance
98.1%
Net price/yr
$28,522
Earnings 10yr
$50,719
Grad rate
28%
16
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach, FL · Nonprofit
Acceptance
64.8%
Net price/yr
$41,272
Earnings 10yr
$84,131
Grad rate
47%
17
Alcorn State University
Alcorn State, MS · Public
Acceptance
45.3%
Net price/yr
$13,265
Earnings 10yr
$36,421
Grad rate
32%
18
Saint Louis University
Saint Louis, MO · Nonprofit
Acceptance
75%
Net price/yr
$24,398
Earnings 10yr
$70,783
Grad rate
71%
19
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN · Public
Acceptance
80.8%
Net price/yr
$10,873
Earnings 10yr
$48,387
Grad rate
42%
20
University of Maryland-College Park
College Park, MD · Public
Acceptance
44.8%
Net price/yr
$15,678
Earnings 10yr
$82,860
Grad rate
76%
Ranked by number of Military Tech graduates per IPEDS completion data. Acceptance rate, net price, earnings, and graduation rate from College Scorecard. Read our methodology →
How Military Tech Compares to Similar Majors
Major
$30k
$40k
$50k
$60k
$70k
$80k
$90k
$100k
Plan Your Path
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Military Tech degree, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if a Military Tech degree pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings its graduates actually see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Military Tech Degree: Pros & Cons
On the numbers that matter most financially, Military Tech beats most other majors: earnings are strong and the career field is growing. The 2 strengths and 0 trade-offs below are pulled from College Scorecard, BLS, and IPEDS data, not editorial scoring.
PROS
- Strong median salary Graduates earn a national median of $75,390 four years after graduation, above most major categories.
- Growing field Top career paths show up to +11.9% projected 10-year growth per BLS, including Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians.
Military Tech Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Military Tech graduates earn?
$75,390 a year four years after finishing the degree. That is the national median, so half of graduates earn more and half earn less, and specialization, institution, and region move the number a lot. Use the specializations table on this page to see which tracks pay above and below it. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for a Military Tech degree?
About $61,299 in the first year out, at the institutional level. That is an early number, not a ceiling, and it moves with employer, location, and which specialization within Military Tech you picked. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with a Military Tech degree?
More than one path, so the degree does not lock you into a single title. Detective & Criminal Investigator pays the most among related roles, at a median $93,790 a year nationally, but it is one option among several. See the Career Paths section on this page for the full list with employment levels and 10-year growth projections. Source: BLS.
How many colleges offer Military Tech?
97 colleges and universities in the United States, so location is rarely the limiting factor. Options run from community colleges offering associate degrees to research universities with doctoral programs, so the harder choice is which type of school fits, not whether one is nearby. The Best Colleges section on this page ranks the top institutions by graduation volume. Source: IPEDS.
Is a Military Tech degree worth it?
For most students, yes, though the margin depends on which specialization and school you pick. Median 4-year earnings run $75,390 against an average net price of roughly $22,804 a year across institutions that offer this major, and high-earning specializations widen that gap considerably. Compare your specific program before assuming the average applies to you.
How long does it take to earn a Military Tech degree?
Anywhere from two to four years, depending on whether you go the associate or bachelor's route. Many people in Military Tech also get in through an apprenticeship instead, which is usually the fastest path to paid work.
What skills do employers look for in Military Tech graduates?
Employers hiring Military Tech graduates consistently prioritize technical proficiency, safety compliance, hands-on problem-solving, and equipment operation. Certifications, apprenticeships, and demonstrated practical experience typically carry as much weight as academic credentials in this field.
Is graduate school worth it for Military Tech graduates?
With a median salary of $75,390, graduate study in Military Tech can meaningfully increase long-term income, particularly for specialized or professional programs aligned with high-demand roles. The right answer depends on your career goals, program cost, and whether your target role explicitly requires or rewards an advanced credential.
What is the 10-year job outlook for Military Tech graduates?
Outlook is moderate: related occupations project an average of +6.5% growth over the next decade. Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians leads the group at +11.9%. Demand still swings by specialization, employer sector, and region, so treat this as a starting point rather than a guarantee. Source: BLS.
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- Program earnings
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-
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