Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations at Citadel Military College of South Carolina

The Citadel's intelligence and information operations program faces a fundamental challenge: graduates earn $42,362 in their first year—$19,000 below the national median for this field. While that beats South Carolina's median for the program by about $3,600, the debt load of $26,499 creates a debt-to-earnings ratio that would take careful financial planning. The relatively high SAT scores (1184) and selective nature of the Corps of Cadets suggest academically capable students, yet the program ranks in just the 16th percentile nationally for earnings.

The small sample size here matters. With fewer than 30 graduates in the data, one or two career paths could significantly skew these numbers. Intelligence and cyber operations roles can vary wildly in compensation depending on whether graduates enter government service, defense contracting, or private sector positions. The Citadel's military environment typically steers graduates toward government and military careers, which often start with lower salaries but offer strong benefits and long-term stability not captured in first-year earnings data.

For parents, this requires weighing the distinctive Citadel experience—military training, leadership development, strong alumni networks in defense sectors—against what appears to be a significant earnings gap compared to the national field. If your student is drawn to public service or military careers where the Citadel's reputation carries weight, the initial salary disadvantage may matter less. But for those hoping to maximize early earnings in private sector tech roles, stronger programs exist elsewhere.