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Intelligence

Intelligence graduates earn $75,803 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $54,394 and $99,150. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.

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About Intelligence

This page covers Intelligence as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Military Tech and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.

Intelligence is a focused area of study within Military Tech. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $75,803 four years out, a strong return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 79 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 3,962 students complete it each year. Training is practical and skills-based, with a fast path from classroom to job site.

Median Earnings · 1yr: $61,299
Median Earnings · 4yr: $75,803
Colleges Offering: 79
Graduates / Year: 3,962
Avg Net Price / yr: $21,286

How Much Do Intelligence Graduates Earn?

Four years after finishing Intelligence, a typical graduate earns $75,803, above the national median for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $54,394 and $99,150, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Source: College Scorecard.

What that figure means in practice depends on what the degree cost to get, which is a matter of lifetime earnings against total outlay.

$61,299

1 Year After Graduation

Earnings grow steadily as you advance past entry-level roles. The four-year figure is a better long-term target.

$75,803

4-Year National Median

Above the national median for college graduates.

$84,342

4-Year Institutional Median

Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.

Earnings Range

Not every Intelligence graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out widely, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Region and union membership drive the gap more than any other factor. Union jobs in high-cost metros pay significantly more than non-union positions elsewhere.

$54,394 25th pct.

$75,803 Median

$99,150 75th pct.

Why This Program Pays Off Fast

Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $75,803 against an estimated $85,144 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.

Based on outcomes from 40 schools. Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.

Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown

Of the 3,962 students who complete Intelligence programs each year, the majority (38%) earn a bachelor's degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.

25% 38% 26%

Bachelor's 38%

Master's 26%

Associate's 25%

What Can You Do With an Intelligence Degree?

This degree does not lock you into one job. Intelligence graduates show up in 2 different occupations, and Detective & Criminal Investigator pays the most at $93,790/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.

The best-paid of these is what a Detective & Criminal Investigator earns and how fast the role is growing, though entry requirements vary across the list.

↗ +0.2% Zone 3: Medium preparation

Detective & Criminal Investigator

$93,790

$69K $121K 25th–75th pct.

High school diploma or equivalent 7,800 openings/yr 114K employed nationally

Active Listening Reading Comprehension Speaking Active Listening Critical Thinking

Day-to-day responsibilities

Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.

Check victims for signs of life, such as breathing and pulse.
Obtain facts or statements from complainants, witnesses, and accused persons and record interviews, using recording device.
Secure deceased body and obtain evidence from it, preventing bystanders from tampering with it prior to medical examiner's arrival.

↗ +7.4% Zone 4: Considerable preparation

Cartographers and Photogrammetrists

$81,390

$66K $102K 25th–75th pct.

Bachelor's degree 900 openings/yr 14K employed nationally

Reading Comprehension Critical Thinking Writing Active Listening Active Learning

Day-to-day responsibilities

Research, study, and prepare maps and other spatial data in digital or graphic form for one or more purposes, such as legal, social, political, educational, and design purposes. May work with Geographic Information Systems (GIS). May design and evaluate algorithms, data structures, and user interfaces for GIS and mapping systems. May collect, analyze, and interpret geographic information provided by geodetic surveys, aerial photographs, and satellite data.

Compile data required for map preparation, including aerial photographs, survey notes, records, reports, and original maps.
Delineate aerial photographic detail, such as control points, hydrography, topography, and cultural features, using precision stereoplotting apparatus or drafting instruments.
Prepare and alter trace maps, charts, tables, detailed drawings, and three-dimensional optical models of terrain using stereoscopic plotting and computer graphics equipment.

Top Colleges for Intelligence

Not sure where to study Intelligence? These 20 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.

Ranked by score, that list starts with the cost and outcomes at University of Arizona, and the rest follow the same measures.

#	College	Graduates	Acceptance	Net Price/yr	Earnings 10yr
1	University of Arizona Tucson, AZ · Public	196	86.1%	$16,674	$59,979
2	Georgetown University Washington, DC · Nonprofit	182	12.9%	$40,815	$103,494
3	Maryville University of Saint Louis Saint Louis, MO · Nonprofit	155	95.1%	$22,066	$62,105
4	Webster University Saint Louis, MO · Nonprofit	148	86.2%	$27,047	$50,876
5	Harvard University Cambridge, MA · Nonprofit	139	3.7%	$19,066	$101,817
6	Citadel Military College of South Carolina Charleston, SC · Public	134	22.7%	$20,723	$72,085
7	Norwich University Northfield, VT · Nonprofit	134	74.4%	$22,257	$65,575
8	Mercyhurst University Erie, PA · Nonprofit	115	81%	$19,444	$47,452
9	Liberty University Lynchburg, VA · Nonprofit	109	99%	$29,357	$44,813
10	Coastal Carolina University Conway, SC · Public	82	75.3%	$13,966	$47,258
11	Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD · Nonprofit	44	6.4%	$18,809	$87,555
12	Missouri State University-Springfield Springfield, MO · Public	41	90.5%	$17,613	$49,827
13	Iowa State University Ames, IA · Public	29	88.7%	$18,589	$63,386
14	University of Advancing Technology Tempe, AZ · For-Profit	28	98.1%	$28,522	$50,719
15	Saint Louis University Saint Louis, MO · Nonprofit	19	75%	$24,398	$70,783
16	Indiana State University Terre Haute, IN · Public	18	80.8%	$10,873	$48,387
17	University of Maryland-College Park College Park, MD · Public	17	44.8%	$15,678	$82,860
18	Community College of Rhode Island Warwick, RI · Public	17	Open	$6,513	$42,659
19	New York University New York, NY · Nonprofit	16	9.2%	$37,050	$82,509
20	Indiana University-Bloomington Bloomington, IN · Public	15	78.2%	$16,264	$63,742

View all colleges

Ranked by Intelligence graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →

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 an Intelligence program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find schools that match your profile.

College ROI Calculator

See if an Intelligence 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.

Intelligence Degree: Pros & Cons

Strong earnings and positive career growth make Intelligence a solid option. The 4 strengths and 1 trade-offs below are data-sourced from College Scorecard, BLS, and IPEDS.

PROS

Strong median salary Graduates earn $75,803 nationally four years out, placing this field above most degree programs in the country.
Positive job outlook Related careers project up to +7.4% job growth over the next 10 years, a solid signal for long-term demand.
High upside potential Top earners (75th percentile) in this program reach $99,150, a strong ceiling for high performers.
Flexible credential paths Programs are available from certificate and associate levels through bachelor's and graduate degrees, giving students real options based on timeline and goals.

CONS

Licensure often required Many positions in this field require trade licenses, certifications, or apprenticeship completion. These add time and cost beyond the academic credential.

Intelligence Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Intelligence graduates earn?

$75,803 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $54,394 and $99,150, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.

What is the starting salary for an Intelligence degree?

$61,299 in the first year out. That grows to $75,803 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.

What jobs can you get with an Intelligence degree?

Detective & Criminal Investigator is one path, and it pays a median of $93,790 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.

How long does an Intelligence program take?

Four years of full-time study for an Intelligence bachelor's degree, the standard timeline for this field. If you want a faster route into the workforce, community colleges offer a two-year associate option instead.

How many colleges offer Intelligence?

79 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.

Is an Intelligence degree worth it?

$75,803 median earnings four years out against $21,286 a year in average net price. That is a fast payback, and it holds up especially well at lower-cost schools. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.

What is the difference between Intelligence and Military Tech?

Intelligence is the narrower of the two: Military Tech covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Intelligence-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.

What skills do employers look for in Intelligence graduates?

Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Intelligence graduates consistently look for technical proficiency, safety compliance, and hands-on problem-solving. Certifications, apprenticeships, and demonstrated practical experience typically carry as much weight as academic credentials in this field. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.

Is graduate school worth it for Intelligence graduates?

It can be. At a median salary of $75,803, graduate study in Intelligence tends to meaningfully raise long-term income, particularly through specialized or professional programs tied to high-demand roles. Weigh that against your own career goals, the program's cost, and whether your target role actually rewards the advanced credential.

What is the job outlook for Intelligence graduates?

Outlook is moderate overall: related occupations average +3.8% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Cartographers and Photogrammetrists are among the strongest-growth roles at +7.4%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.