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Online Bachelor's in Intelligence Studies: 2026 Programs
A bachelor’s in intelligence studies is the standard undergraduate credential in this field. Common titles include BA/BS in Intelligence Studies, BA in National Security Studies, MS in Intelligence Studies, MS in National Security. Typical length is about 120 semester hours. In IPEDS 2024, 89 institutions reported bachelor’s-or-higher completions in the CIP codes used for this guide, and 84 of those institutions reported offering distance-education programs (IPEDS 2024). Of those, 51 reported bachelor’s completions.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not publish an occupation called intelligence analyst. Most of that work is classified under detectives and criminal investigators (SOC 33-3021), management analysts, or information security analysts depending on the employer. Wage figures on this page are those proxy occupations, named as such.
Quick answers
Can I get this degree online?
Yes. In IPEDS 2024, 89 institutions reported bachelor’s-or-higher completions in the CIP codes used for this guide, and 84 of those institutions reported offering distance-education programs (IPEDS 2024).
What will I study?
Typical coursework includes intelligence collection, analytic writing, geospatial and open-source methods, counterintelligence, ethics and law, and a research or simulation capstone.
What do graduates earn?
Detectives and Criminal Investigators: The national median annual wage was $93,790, with the 10th percentile at $55,390 and the 90th at $160,540 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025 OEWS). Employment was 117,900 in 2024, projected to grow -0.7 percent through 2034, with 7,800 openings per year (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034). Individual outcomes vary.
Do I need a bachelor’s, or will a certificate do?
Certificates cover a tool. The bachelor’s is what most employers treat as the degree. If the job posting lists a bachelor’s as required, a certificate will not substitute.
How is accreditation handled?
There is no programmatic accreditor for intelligence studies. Federal analyst jobs are gated by a background investigation and, for most seats, a security clearance. The degree does not grant a clearance. Institutional accreditation is the first academic check.
At a Glance
- Common degree titles: BA/BS in Intelligence Studies, BA in National Security Studies, MS in Intelligence Studies, MS in National Security
- IPEDS 2024 institutions (bachelor’s or higher): 89 (84 with a distance-education flag)
- Related fields: homeland security, cybersecurity, international relations
Data verified: September 7, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2025; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.
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