by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in General Intelligence covers Intelligence, General. A Program That Focuses On The Principles And Techniques Of Intelligence Acquisition, Analysis And Exploitation. Includes Instruction In Intelligence Organizations, The Intelligence Cycle, Intelligence Operations Planning, Intelligence Analysis And Reporting, Intelligence Methods, Electronic And Signals Intelligence, Operations And Communications Security, Human Intelligence Management, Intelligence Chain Of Command, Information Exploitation And Psychological Warfare, And The Relationship To National Security Policy And Strategy. Read on to learn the key facts every general intelligence student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering general intelligence programs.
Across the country, general intelligence is a widely-pursued major, with 2,210 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best General Intelligence Schools ranking analyzes these 19 schools to determine the best overall colleges for general intelligence students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of general intelligence programs later in this article.
There are several general intelligence 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 | 20 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 803 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 883 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 504 |
A degree in general intelligence opens doors to many career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to general intelligence.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to general intelligence.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Special Forces | 40,649 | 4.1% |
| Special Forces Officers | 31,860 | 5.1% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of general intelligence 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 general intelligence graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers general intelligence grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Special Forces Officers | $73,745 |
| Special Forces | $56,978 |
With 19 different general intelligence programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased general intelligence school rankings to help you.
Students interested in general intelligence, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
