Location: Lebanon, IL•In-State Tuition: $34,070•Admission Rate: 64%
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$61,299
Est. from national median (7 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$22,250
Est. from national median (5 programs)

Analysis

A bachelor's degree in Intelligence and Command Control from McKendree positions graduates in a specialized field where earnings data remains scarce—nationally, only 35 schools offer this program, and just seven reported graduate outcomes to the Department of Education. Based on those peer programs, first-year earnings around $61,000 combined with estimated debt of $22,250 creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.36, suggesting graduates could reasonably handle their loans on a typical starting salary in this field.

The challenge here is uncertainty. This highly specialized degree—focused on intelligence operations and command control systems—serves a niche market, primarily government and defense contractors. Similar programs nationally produce fairly consistent outcomes around $61,000, but without school-specific data, it's impossible to know whether McKendree's particular curriculum, location in southern Illinois, or industry connections match up. The program's rarity (only two Illinois schools offer it) could mean either strong differentiation or limited local employment pipelines.

For parents, the financial framework looks sound if your child secures typical work in this field. But the real question is placement: Does McKendree have established relationships with defense agencies, military installations, or intelligence contractors? Ask the department directly about recent graduate job placements and employer partnerships. Without that placement track record, even favorable debt-to-earnings estimates remain theoretical.

Where McKendree University Stands

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

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

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

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
McKendree UniversityLebanon$34,070$61,299*—$22,250*—
Norwich UniversityNorthfield$49,600$73,947*$80,707$8,333*0.11
University of Advancing TechnologyTempe$19,430$64,915*—$31,000*0.48
Excelsior UniversityAlbany—$64,071*—$10,528*0.16
Maryville University of Saint LouisSaint Louis$27,166$61,299*—$22,250*0.36
Mercyhurst UniversityErie$44,510$52,211*$71,220$25,625*0.49
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 McKendree University, approximately 29% 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.