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2026 Best Value Strategic Intelligence Schools

1 Colleges in the United States
$24,917 Avg Student Debt
$60,354 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Strategic Intelligence Badge [Strategic Intelligence](/majors/military-technologies-sciences/intelligence-command-control-ops/strategic-intelligence/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 15 schools to find the best return on investment for strategic intelligence students.

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Finding the Best Value Strategic Intelligence School for You

Where you study strategic intelligence affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Strategic Intelligence Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.

Learn more about our methodology

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Strategic Intelligence Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.

Associate's Degrees in Strategic Intelligence
Bachelor's Degrees in Strategic Intelligence
Master's Degrees in Strategic Intelligence
Doctorate Degrees in Strategic Intelligence

Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.

Read more about College Factual’s methodology

2026 Best Value Strategic Intelligence Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the strategic intelligence degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Strategic Intelligence Schools

1

Leading the list is Fayetteville State University, our #1 best value for strategic intelligence in the United States. Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Students from in state pay about $4,353 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,353 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,869 to complete the strategic intelligence program here. Early-career strategic intelligence graduates make about $41,449. Set against $27,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.

2

American Public University System is a great value for students pursuing a degree in strategic intelligence, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Typical student debt for strategic intelligence graduates is $23,438. Early-career strategic intelligence graduates make about $57,404. That is a strong return on a $23,438 median debt.

3
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Students looking for strong value in strategic intelligence will find it at Harvard University, which ranked #3. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for strategic intelligence graduates is $16,616. Soon after graduation, strategic intelligence degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Missouri State University Springfield earned it the #4 place for strategic intelligence. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Strategic Intelligence graduates carry a median of $24,408 in student loans. Strategic Intelligence graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $46,503 early in their careers. Set against $24,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Johns Hopkins University earned it the #5 place for strategic intelligence. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Strategic Intelligence graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Strategic Intelligence graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $84,850 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.

6

Dakota State University came in at #6 for value in strategic intelligence this year. Located in the town of Madison, Dakota State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,654, while out-of-state students pay about $12,756. Typical student debt for strategic intelligence graduates is $28,724. Strategic Intelligence graduates of Dakota State University earn a median of $51,970 early in their careers. Set against $28,724 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.

7

National American University Rapid City landed the #7 spot for strategic intelligence value this year. Located in the city of Rapid City, National American University Rapid City is a small private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,065. Typical student debt for strategic intelligence graduates is $38,264. Soon after graduation, strategic intelligence degree recipients from National American University Rapid City generally make around $47,873. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Saint Louis University Main Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value strategic intelligence schools. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,760. Strategic Intelligence graduates carry a median of $26,586 in student loans. Soon after graduation, strategic intelligence degree recipients from Saint Louis University Main Campus generally make around $65,599. Set against $26,586 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Louis University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.

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Strategic Intelligence is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 15 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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