by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying in the field of Military Technologies and Applied Science is excellent preparation for a career in the military. In this field you will be training with the military either through ROTC or at a military institution while working towards your degree.
This field is focused around math, science, and technology and is ideal for a student who wishes to enter the military. You need a bachelor's degree in order to be qualified to become an officer.
One major in this field is Intelligence Command and Control Operations; in this major you will work with all different types of people and technology, learning how to collect and analyze data. You could also specialize in Military Applied Science where you will learn to work with computers and technology to create weapons or help design strategic plans. You could specialize in specific engineering to work with the military or focus on security and protection.
A degree in Military Technologies & Applied Sciences explores Military Technologies And Applied Sciences. Instructional Programs That Prepare Individuals In Specialized And Advanced Subject Matter For The Armed Services And Related National Security Organizations, Including Intelligence Operations, Military Applied Sciences, And Military Technologies. Read on to learn the key facts every military technologies & applied sciences student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering military technologies & applied sciences programs.
Nationwide, military technologies & applied sciences is a widely-pursued major, with 4,796 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Military Technologies & Applied Sciences Schools ranking analyzes these 90 schools to determine the best overall colleges for military technologies & applied sciences students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of military technologies & applied sciences programs later in this article.
Coursework for Military Technologies & Applied Sciences build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations military technologies & applied sciences graduates commonly enter.
If you are at all interested in working in the military a major in this field is excellent preparation. You will have practical military training in addition to rigorous coursework. You will learn responsibility, time management and hard work, making you an ideal candidate to advance through the ranks in the military.
Communication and teamwork is essential to your success. Collaborating with others will allow you to get a job done effectively and creatively. Don't be afraid to think creatively and take initiative to find a successful solution to a problem. Advanced military training will instill leadership skills and confidence, giving you the ability to perform under pressure and make important decisions.
Coursework will involve a lot of math, science and computer skills. Use your critical thinking and analytical abilities to solve problems and perform research. Your physical endurance will also be tested through military field training.
The skill set developed in a military technologies & applied sciences program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a military technologies & applied sciences major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several military technologies & applied sciences degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 68 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 976 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1,786 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,954 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 12 |
People currently working in careers related to military technologies & applied sciences tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 38.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 21.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 15.6% |
| Some college courses | 10.4% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 10.0% |
| Master’s degree | 2.3% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.8% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in military technologies & applied sciences careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Obtaining a college degree before joining the military will allow you the freedom to focus in on an area you really enjoy. If you enter an ROTC program or attend a military school, you should be prepared to spend a certain number of years in the military based upon your contract. When you retire from the military, you will be qualified to enter numerous fields because of your background.
Majoring in military technologies & applied sciences can lead to a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to military technologies & applied sciences.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to military technologies & applied sciences.
| 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% |
| Photonics Technicians | 306,018 | 1.6% |
| Non-Destructive Testing Specialists | 295,668 | 3.0% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | 290,410 | 11.9% |
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | 214,833 | 10.6% |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | 169,705 | 2.0% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of military technologies & applied sciences graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $63,922 |
| 4 years | $64,375 |
| 5 years | $72,911 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for military technologies & applied sciences graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers military technologies & applied sciences grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $121,642 |
| Photonics Technicians | $106,964 |
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | $77,835 |
| 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 |
With 90 different military technologies & applied sciences programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased military technologies & applied sciences school rankings to help you.
Those considering military technologies & applied sciences, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
