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Military

Colleges offering this major Rankings Trends

What you'll do in college

This category spans cybersecurity, cyber forensics, intelligence analysis, and military and strategic studies. Coursework blends technical training in network defense, digital forensics, and electronic warfare with the geopolitical and operational side of national security — threat analysis, counterterrorism, geospatial intelligence, and maritime or space systems operations. Programs are highly structured, often tied to ROTC or service academies, and emphasize hands-on labs, simulations, and security clearances.

What you'll do after college

Graduates commission as officers in the armed forces or move directly into roles with intelligence agencies, the Department of Defense, homeland security, and federal contractors, where cleared cyber and intelligence talent is in heavy demand. Common paths include cybersecurity analyst, intelligence officer, digital forensics investigator, and security operations roles in both government and private industry. The combination of technical skills and security clearance opens steady advancement and a clear pipeline into senior national security and cyber leadership positions.

Famous graduates

  • Colin Powell — Former U.S. Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; B.S. in Geology and Army ROTC from City College of New York

Selectivity vs. earnings

By acceptance rate

$88,271
199
100–85%
$67,493
368
85–35%
$69,271
235
23–0%
Acceptance rate · bar = degree-weighted earnings

By SAT median

$69,828
123
400–1100
$63,497
311
1130–1310
$72,011
126
1310–1600
Combined SAT composite median (submitters + non-submitters) · bar = degree-weighted earnings

Earnings vs. selectivity rank

$60,349p10 $80,168p90 Military Liberal Arts Public University Religious University Private University United States Military Academy · $74,928 United States Air Force Academy · $71,489 Citadel Military College of South Carolina · $61,425 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Prescott · $69,283 York College of Pennsylvania · $69,772 Alcorn State University · $54,162 Angelo State University · $86,231 Coastal Carolina University · $49,288 University of North Georgia · $61,391 Fairmont State University · $70,316 Dakota State University · $70,018 Indiana State University · $63,802 University of Arizona · $67,117 University of Texas at El Paso · $60,349 Brigham Young University · $78,627 La Roche University · $64,360 Baldwin Wallace University · $63,508 Wayland Baptist University · $62,845 Mercyhurst University · $80,168 University of Lynchburg · $77,197 Tiffin University · $68,147 Point Park University · $68,260 Norwich University · $94,332 Military: mean $69,281 Liberal Arts: mean $69,772 Public University: mean $64,742 Religious University: mean $71,118 Private University: mean $76,913 All colleges: p10 $60,349 All colleges: p90 $80,168
Each dot = a college · y = degree-weighted earnings

Majors in this category

Major Colleges Degrees ▼ Male/Female Intl Earnings Employment
Military 23 802 77% / 23% 2% $68,805 93%
Intelligence 6 217 80% / 20% 1% $76,267 92%
National Security Policy Studies 8 135 76% / 24% 1% $68,891 86%
Intelligence and Security Studies 1 74 86% / 14% 0% $61,425 96%
Intelligence and National Security Studies 1 67 64% / 36% 1% $49,288 98%
Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations 1 64 83% / 17% 0% $67,117
Military and Strategic Studies 1 63 86% / 14% 0% $73,700
Military Applied Sciences 2 51 92% / 8% 2% $68,954
Global Security and Intelligence Studies 1 50 52% / 48% 12% $69,283 100%
Geospatial Intelligence 2 38 68% / 32% 3% $72,948
Military Science 1 18 50% / 50% 11% $54,162
Space Systems Operations 1 15 93% / 7% 0% $74,483
Strategic Intelligence 1 10 70% / 30% 0% $70,018