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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

$89,337
151
100–87%
$68,722
331
85–39%
$72,354
166
28–0%
Acceptance rate · bar = degree-weighted earnings

By SAT median

$76,033
87
400–1110
$62,275
281
1120–1290
$80,927
99
1320–1600
Combined SAT composite median (submitters + non-submitters) · bar = degree-weighted earnings

Earnings vs. selectivity rank

$63,337p10 $81,749p90 Military Liberal Arts Public University Religious University Private University United States Military Academy · $81,158 Citadel Military College of South Carolina · $63,337 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Prescott · $68,317 York College of Pennsylvania · $67,351 Alcorn State University · $66,356 Angelo State University · $90,167 Coastal Carolina University · $50,144 Fairmont State University · $73,993 Dakota State University · $81,280 Indiana State University · $76,134 University of Arizona · $65,273 University of Texas at El Paso · $73,939 University of North Georgia · $62,795 Brigham Young University · $76,351 Baldwin Wallace University · $69,008 Mercyhurst University · $81,749 Tiffin University · $72,785 Point Park University · $68,948 Norwich University · $94,337 Military: mean $70,937 Liberal Arts: mean $67,351 Public University: mean $71,120 Religious University: mean $75,703 Private University: mean $78,690 All colleges: p10 $63,337 All colleges: p90 $81,749
Each dot = a college · y = degree-weighted earnings

Majors in this category

Major Colleges Degrees ▼ Male/Female Intl Earnings Employment
Military 27 746 77% / 23% 1% $71,225 93%
Intelligence 8 163 85% / 15% 1% $79,538 92%
National Security Policy Studies 10 132 78% / 22% 0% $73,913 86%
Intelligence and Security Studies 1 82 82% / 18% 2% $63,337 96%
Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations 1 71 73% / 27% 0% $65,273
Military Applied Sciences 2 67 94% / 6% 3% $81,958
Military Science 2 67 82% / 18% 0% $66,356
Global Security and Intelligence Studies 1 61 51% / 49% 0% $68,317 100%
Intelligence and National Security Studies 1 59 63% / 37% 0% $50,144 98%
Strategic Intelligence 2 22 68% / 32% 0% $81,280
Space Systems Operations 1 17 76% / 24% 0% $79,349
Geospatial Intelligence 2 5 80% / 20% 20% $76,946