by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Geospatial Intelligence involves the study of A Program That Prepares Individuals To Analyze Security And Intelligence Problems Using A Geographic Perspective By Relating Human Actions To Cultural, Political, Economic, Social, And Physical Landscapes. Includes Instruction In Aerial Photography Analysis, Cartography, Geographic Information Systems (Gis), Physical Geography, Remote Sensing, Spatial Programming, And Quantitative Methods In Geographic Research. Read on to learn the key facts every geospatial intelligence major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering geospatial intelligence programs.
Across the country, geospatial intelligence is a widely-pursued major, with 53 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Geospatial Intelligence Schools ranking analyzes these 6 schools to determine the best overall colleges for geospatial intelligence students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of geospatial intelligence programs later in this article.
Studies in Geospatial Intelligence develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations geospatial intelligence graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a geospatial intelligence program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a geospatial intelligence major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several geospatial 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 | 8 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 33 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 11 |
People currently working in careers related to geospatial intelligence tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 22.3% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 21.4% |
| Doctoral degree | 18.3% |
| Some college courses | 14.0% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 9.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 5.7% |
| Master’s degree | 5.4% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 2.3% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.2% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.2% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in geospatial intelligence careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in geospatial intelligence prepares you for many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to geospatial intelligence.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to geospatial intelligence.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Police Identification and Records Officers | 532,882 | 7.1% |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | 469,816 | 14.5% |
| Geography Teachers, Postsecondary | 420,756 | -3.5% |
| Intelligence Analysts | 313,116 | 11.7% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | 290,410 | 11.9% |
| Cartographers and Photogrammetrists | 55,239 | -4.8% |
| Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary | 52,113 | 12.0% |
| Geographers | 41,950 | 10.6% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of geospatial intelligence graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $51,422 |
| 4 years | $49,125 |
| 5 years | $55,237 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for geospatial intelligence graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers geospatial intelligence grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary | $91,449 |
| Geographers | $77,391 |
| Special Forces Officers | $73,745 |
| 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 |
With 6 different geospatial intelligence programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased geospatial intelligence school rankings to help you.
Students interested in geospatial 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.
