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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

$55,493
86
100–70%
$92,271
179
55–55%
$82,724
89
55–0%
Acceptance rate · bar = degree-weighted adjusted 5-year earnings

By SAT median

$63,290
16
400–1100
$52,998
67
1130–1130
$68,597
50
1250–1600
Combined SAT composite median (submitters + non-submitters) · bar = degree-weighted adjusted 5-year earnings

Earnings vs. selectivity rank

$0 $50,000 $100,000 #1 #25 #50 #100 #250 #750 #1259 Selectivity rank (1 = most selective) #548 · $98,256 #480 · $81,804 #164 · $68,597 #1083 · $52,998 #1030 · $69,653 #597 · $63,290 #101–#250: median $68,597 #251–#750: median $81,804 #751–#1259: median $61,325
Each dot = a college · y = degree-weighted adjusted 5-year earnings

Majors in this category

Major Colleges Degrees ▼ Male/Female Intl 5yr Earn
Military 23 802 77% / 23% 2% $75,165
Intelligence 6 217 80% / 20% 1% $84,301
National Security Policy Studies 8 135 76% / 24% 1% $73,912
Intelligence and Security Studies 1 74 86% / 14% 0%
Intelligence and National Security Studies 1 67 64% / 36% 1% $52,998
Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations 1 64 83% / 17% 0%
Military and Strategic Studies 1 63 86% / 14% 0%
Military Applied Sciences 2 51 92% / 8% 2%
Global Security and Intelligence Studies 1 50 52% / 48% 12% $68,597
Geospatial Intelligence 2 38 68% / 32% 3%
Military Science 1 18 50% / 50% 11%
Space Systems Operations 1 15 93% / 7% 0%
Strategic Intelligence 1 10 70% / 30% 0%