by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 73 U.S. colleges awarded 4,011 degrees and certificates in Intelligence & Command Control Operations. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 40% of graduates. College Factual ranks 35 schools in its 2027 Best Intelligence & Command Control Operations Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $63,824 one year after completing, rising to $88,234 after four years.
The military-minded student who also enjoys collecting and analyzing information with various forms of technology may choose to major in Intelligence & Command Control Operations. This major will teach you intelligence and communication theories and techniques that will help prepare you for a career in the military.
Intelligence and Command Control Operations involves the strategic use of information to achieve military and political goals. You will learn to use advanced computer programs and technology that transmits communicate and analyzes data. Students will also study different techniques to gather, analyze, and use data to make critical decisions. This major involves learning how to intercept intelligence through the use of radar, satellite, radio signals or from talking to prisoners or spies.
Classes in this major can include things like law, military strategy, politics, military intelligence, technology, military operations, computer network defense, space communications, math, statistics, surveillance, navigation systems, and operations management.
Some students may choose a concentration in their area of interest. Some of the concentrations available are: Strategic Intelligence, Signal Geospatial Intelligence, Command and Control (C3, C4I) Systems and Operations, Information Operations, Information/Psychological Warfare and Military Media Relations, and Electronic Operations and Warfare.
A major in Intelligence & Command Control Operations involves the study of Intelligence, Command Control And Information Operations.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, intelligence & command control operations draws strong interest, with 4,011 degrees awarded annually. 73 colleges award intelligence & command control operations degrees, an average of 55 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 708.
By level, the 4,011 awards include 193 certificates, 713 associate degrees, 1,487 bachelor’s degrees, 1,601 master’s degrees and 17 doctorates.
Women earned 28% of intelligence & command control operations degrees and certificates in the latest year (1,132 of 4,011). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (2,011) and Hispanic or Latino (553), and international students earned 443.
College Factual ranks 35 schools in its 2027 Best Intelligence & Command Control Operations Schools ranking, including 4 for associate degrees, 18 for bachelor’s degrees and 14 for master’s degrees. It also ranks intelligence & command control operations schools within 7 states. In all, 73 colleges offer intelligence & command control operations programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Intelligence & Command Control Operations Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common intelligence & command control operations credential is the master’s degree: 1,601 of the 4,011 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to intelligence & command control operations call most for Active Listening, Speaking and Reading Comprehension, and for knowledge of Law and Government, Public Safety and Security and English Language, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Comprehension, Inductive Reasoning and Written Comprehension.
Military majors will prepare you for a career where you get to protect and serve your fellow citizens. This is an important field that requires dedication and bravery. Good decision making skills and the ability to work under pressure will help you succeed.
Intelligence and Command Control Operations involves a lot of work with technology and computers. This is well suited to hand-on learners who are adaptable to new technology.
Interpersonal skills are also helpful as you will often work with teams and need to communicate with superiors. You should be reliable and ready to work hard.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an intelligence & command control operations degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 193 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 713 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1,487 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,601 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 17 |
High school diploma or equivalent is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to intelligence & command control operations, at 30.0%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 30.0% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 27.6% |
| Some college courses | 18.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 11.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 7.3% |
| Master’s degree | 2.9% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.7% |
Source: O*NET Online.
9 occupations are related to Intelligence & Command Control Operations, with an average median salary of $60,180; the strongest outlook belongs to Detectives and Criminal Investigators, at 14.5% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Identification Officer, Investigator, Criminalist and Crime Scene Investigator (CSI).
Going into a military technology field will prepare you to work in the military. You need a minimum of a bachelor's degree in order to become an officer. Graduates with a degree in Intelligence and Command Control Operations often work in intelligence agencies for both government and military.
The occupation related to intelligence & command control operations with the most projected jobs is Police Identification and Records Officers, at 532,882.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Police Identification and Records Officers | 532,882 | 7.1% |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | 469,816 | 14.5% |
| Intelligence Analysts | 313,116 | 11.7% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | 290,410 | 11.9% |
| Cartographers and Photogrammetrists | 55,239 | -4.8% |
| Command and Control Center Officers | 41,356 | -1.1% |
| Special Forces | 40,649 | 4.1% |
| Special Forces Officers | 31,860 | 5.1% |
Intelligence & Command Control Operations graduates earn a median $63,824 one year after completing their program, $88,234 after four years and $74,598 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $63,824 |
| 4 years | $88,234 |
| 5 years | $74,598 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to intelligence & command control operations is Special Forces Officers, with a median salary of $73,745.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Special Forces Officers | $73,745 |
| Command and Control Center Specialists | $69,900 |
| Intelligence Analysts | $65,483 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $64,492 |
| Police Identification and Records Officers | $61,847 |
| Special Forces | $56,978 |
| Cartographers and Photogrammetrists | $56,771 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $52,907 |
Intelligence & Command Control Operations includes 6 concentrations that together award 4,011 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Intelligence, General (1,996), Cyber/Electronic Operations and Warfare (1,594) and Strategic Intelligence (304). It has 4 similar majors in the Military Technologies & Sciences field, which together award 872 degrees a year; the largest are Military Applied Sciences (353), Military Technologies and Applied Sciences, Other (287) and Military Systems and Maintenance Technology (226). Browse all Military Technologies & Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Military Applied Sciences | 353 |
| Military Technologies and Applied Sciences, Other | 287 |
| Military Systems and Maintenance Technology | 226 |
| Military Technology and Applied Sciences Management | 6 |
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