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What Can You Do With a Intelligence Studies Degree? Jobs
Key takeaway: Intelligence studies is the analysis degree for national security and law-enforcement information: collection disciplines, structured analytic techniques, writing for a decision-maker, and the legal limits on what can be collected. American Public University and ASU sell bachelor's and master's versions. It is not [homeland security](/programs/homeland-security) (the emergency-management and policy side) and it is not [cybersecurity](/programs/cybersecurity) (the technical defense side), though the three sit next to each other in a lot of catalogs. The degree does not get you a security clearance, a badge, or a GS-12. Those come from a sponsoring agency after you pass a background investigation. Foreign language skill and a clean record matter more than the concentration name.
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.
Jobs you can get with a intelligence studies degree
| Occupation | Median annual wage |
|---|---|
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $93,790 |
| Management Analysts | $101,860 |
| Information Security Analysts | $129,180 |
| Compliance Officers | $80,730 |
View the data behind this chart
| Occupation | Avg. annual openings |
|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | 108,200/yr |
| Managers, All Other | 106,700/yr |
| Management Analysts | 98,100/yr |
| Compliance Officers | 33,300/yr |
| Information Security Analysts | 16,000/yr |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | 7,800/yr |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | 3,900/yr |
| Political Scientists | 500/yr |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025 OEWS national medians. Median means half of workers in the occupation earned more and half earned less.
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). See how to become an intelligence analyst. Management Analysts. The national median annual wage was $101,860, with the 10th percentile at $60,640 and the 90th at $171,640 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025 OEWS). Employment was 1,075,100 in 2024, projected to grow 8.8 percent through 2034, with 98,100 openings per year (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034). Information Security Analysts. The national median annual wage was $129,180, with the 10th percentile at $75,090 and the 90th at $199,850 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025 OEWS). Employment was 182,800 in 2024, projected to grow 28.5 percent through 2034, with 16,000 openings per year (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034). Compliance Officers. The national median annual wage was $80,730, with the 10th percentile at $48,220 and the 90th at $133,720 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025 OEWS). Employment was 418,000 in 2024, projected to grow 3.0 percent through 2034, with 33,300 openings per year (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034).
The jobs this degree does not get you
The degree does not get you a security clearance, a badge, or a GS-12. Those come from a sponsoring agency after you pass a background investigation. Foreign language skill and a clean record matter more than the concentration name.
What the degree level changes
The online bachelor’s in intelligence studies is the entry credential in this CIP. The online master’s in intelligence studies is the advancement or specialization credential. Compare homeland security, cybersecurity, international relations before you enroll if those titles match the job you actually want.
Common questions
What jobs can you get with a intelligence studies degree?
Common occupations include detectives and criminal investigators, management analysts, information security analysts, compliance officers.
How much do intelligence studies majors make?
Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025 OEWS national medians include $93,790 for detectives and criminal investigators, $101,860 for management analysts, $129,180 for information security analysts, $80,730 for compliance officers. Individual outcomes vary.
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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