Location: Saint Louis, MO•In-State Tuition: $28,976•Admission Rate: 95%
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$61,299
Est. from national median (7 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$22,250
Est. from national median (5 programs)

Analysis

Intelligence and cyber operations programs are relatively rare—only 35 schools nationwide offer bachelor's degrees in this field—which makes evaluating Fontbonne's version challenging when actual outcomes aren't available. Peer programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $61,299, with estimated debt of $22,250 putting the ratio at 0.36. That's a manageable debt load if these figures hold true, translating to monthly payments of roughly $250 on a ten-year plan against a starting salary just over $61,000.

The field itself appears stable based on national data, with minimal variation between median and 75th percentile earnings ($61,299 versus $64,493), suggesting consistent rather than exceptional financial outcomes. What's harder to assess is whether Fontbonne specifically can deliver the security clearances, internships, and industry connections that make these programs valuable—credentials that matter immensely in intelligence work but don't show up in Department of Education data.

With only two Missouri schools offering this program and Fontbonne serving a predominantly Pell-eligible population (48%), this could represent an access point to a specialized field that typically requires military or government connections. The investment looks reasonable on paper, but verify whether Fontbonne has actual placement relationships with defense contractors, government agencies, or cleared facilities. In this field, job outcomes depend heavily on those institutional connections rather than just the degree itself.

Where Fontbonne University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all intelligence, command control and information operations bachelors's programs nationally

Fontbonne University (estimated ±10%)Other intelligence, command control and information operations programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Compare to Similar Programs in Missouri

Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Missouri (2 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Fontbonne UniversitySaint Louis$28,976$61,299*—$22,250*—
Maryville University of Saint LouisSaint Louis$27,166$61,299*—$22,250*0.36
National Median—$61,299*—$24,939*0.41
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with intelligence, command control and information operations graduates

Cartographers and Photogrammetrists

Research, study, and prepare maps and other spatial data in digital or graphic form for one or more purposes, such as legal, social, political, educational, and design purposes. May work with Geographic Information Systems (GIS). May design and evaluate algorithms, data structures, and user interfaces for GIS and mapping systems. May collect, analyze, and interpret geographic information provided by geodetic surveys, aerial photographs, and satellite data.

$78,380/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Detectives and Criminal Investigators

Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.

$77,270/yrJobs growth:

Police Identification and Records Officers

Collect evidence at crime scene, classify and identify fingerprints, and photograph evidence for use in criminal and civil cases.

$77,270/yrJobs growth:

Intelligence Analysts

Gather, analyze, or evaluate information from a variety of sources, such as law enforcement databases, surveillance, intelligence networks or geographic information systems. Use intelligence data to anticipate and prevent organized crime activities, such as terrorism.

$77,270/yrJobs growth:

First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of members of police force.

Command and Control Center Officers

Manage the operation of communications, detection, and weapons systems essential for controlling air, ground, and naval operations. Duties include managing critical communication links between air, naval, and ground forces; formulating and implementing emergency plans for natural and wartime disasters; coordinating emergency response teams and agencies; evaluating command center information and need for high-level military and government reporting; managing the operation of surveillance and detection systems; providing technical information and advice on capabilities and operational readiness; and directing operation of weapons targeting, firing, and launch computer systems.

Special Forces Officers

Lead elite teams that implement unconventional operations by air, land, or sea during combat or peacetime. These activities include offensive raids, demolitions, reconnaissance, search and rescue, and counterterrorism. In addition to their combat training, special forces officers often have specialized training in swimming, diving, parachuting, survival, emergency medicine, and foreign languages. Duties include directing advanced reconnaissance operations and evaluating intelligence information; recruiting, training, and equipping friendly forces; leading raids and invasions on enemy territories; training personnel to implement individual missions and contingency plans; performing strategic and tactical planning for politically sensitive missions; and operating sophisticated communications equipment.

Command and Control Center Specialists

Operate and monitor communications, detection, and weapons systems essential for controlling air, ground, and naval operations. Duties include maintaining and relaying critical communications between air, naval, and ground forces; implementing emergency plans for natural and wartime disasters; relaying command center information to high-level military and government decisionmakers; monitoring surveillance and detection systems, such as air defense; interpreting and evaluating tactical situations and making recommendations to superiors; and operating weapons targeting, firing, and launch computer systems.

Special Forces

Implement unconventional operations by air, land, or sea during combat or peacetime as members of elite teams. These activities include offensive raids, demolitions, reconnaissance, search and rescue, and counterterrorism. In addition to their combat training, special forces members often have specialized training in swimming, diving, parachuting, survival, emergency medicine, and foreign languages. Duties include conducting advanced reconnaissance operations and collecting intelligence information; recruiting, training, and equipping friendly forces; conducting raids and invasions on enemy territories; laying and detonating explosives for demolition targets; locating, identifying, defusing, and disposing of ordnance; and operating and maintaining sophisticated communications equipment.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Fontbonne University, approximately 48% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 7 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.