by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 11 U.S. colleges awarded 304 degrees and certificates in Strategic Intelligence. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 79% of graduates. College Factual ranks 8 schools in its 2027 Best Strategic Intelligence 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.
Studying Strategic Intelligence involves the study of Strategic Intelligence. A Program That Focuses On The Management, Analysis And Use Of National-Level, Theatre-Level, And International Intelligence And Related Policy Issues. Includes Instruction In Intelligence Organization And Management, Strategic Uses Of Intelligence, Management Of Intelligence Systems And Assets, Command And Control, Joint Intelligence Operations, Electronic And Signals Intelligence, Threat Assessment And Estimation, Intelligence Analysis And Reporting, Counterintelligence, And Studies Of Specific Regions And Situations.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, strategic intelligence is a popular field of study, with 304 degrees awarded annually. 11 colleges award strategic intelligence degrees, an average of 28 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 73.
By level, the 304 awards include 48 bachelor’s degrees, 241 master’s degrees and 15 doctorates.
Women earned 39% of strategic intelligence degrees and certificates in the latest year (119 of 304). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (174) and Hispanic or Latino (26), and international students earned 37.
College Factual ranks 8 schools in its 2027 Best Strategic Intelligence Schools ranking, including 3 for bachelor’s degrees. It also ranks strategic intelligence schools within 1 state. In all, 11 colleges offer strategic intelligence programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Strategic Intelligence Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
How long a strategic intelligence degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 48 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 241 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 15 |
2 occupations are related to Strategic Intelligence, with an average median salary of $65,362; the strongest outlook belongs to Special Forces Officers, at 5.1% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Combatant Swimmer (SEAL), Naval Special Warfare Medic, Amphibian Crewmember and Special Forces Communications Sergeant.
The occupation related to strategic intelligence with the most projected jobs is Special Forces, at 40,649.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Special Forces | 40,649 | 4.1% |
| Special Forces Officers | 31,860 | 5.1% |
Strategic Intelligence 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 same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to strategic intelligence, with a median salary of $73,745.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Special Forces Officers | $73,745 |
| Special Forces | $56,978 |
Strategic Intelligence has 5 similar majors in the Military Technologies & Sciences field, which together award 3,707 degrees a year; the largest are Intelligence, General (1,996), Cyber/Electronic Operations and Warfare (1,594) and Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations, Other (75). Browse all Military Technologies & Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Intelligence, General | 1,996 |
| Cyber/Electronic Operations and Warfare | 1,594 |
| Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations, Other | 75 |
| Signal/Geospatial Intelligence | 35 |
| Information/Psychological Warfare and Military Media Relations | 7 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
