by our College Data Analytics TeamThe 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. Continue reading for the important information every intelligence & command control operations student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering intelligence & command control operations programs.
Nationwide, intelligence & command control operations draws strong interest, with 4,051 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Intelligence & Command Control Operations Schools ranking analyzes these 75 schools to determine the best overall colleges for intelligence & command control operations students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of intelligence & command control operations programs later in this article.
Coursework for Intelligence & Command Control Operations emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations intelligence & command control operations graduates commonly enter.
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.
Skills emphasized by a intelligence & command control operations program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a intelligence & command control operations major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several intelligence & command control operations 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 | 65 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 844 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1,459 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,671 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 12 |
People currently working in careers related to intelligence & command control operations tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| 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% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in intelligence & command control operations careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
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.
Majoring in intelligence & command control operations can lead to a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to intelligence & command control operations.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to intelligence & command control operations.
| 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% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of intelligence & command control operations graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $63,824 |
| 4 years | $63,738 |
| 5 years | $74,331 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for intelligence & command control operations graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers intelligence & command control operations grads often go into.
| 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 |
With 75 different intelligence & command control operations programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased intelligence & command control operations school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in intelligence & command control operations, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Military Applied Sciences | 383 |
| Military Systems and Maintenance Technology | 207 |
| Military Technologies and Applied Sciences, Other | 144 |
| Military Technology and Applied Sciences Management | 11 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
