Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations at Norwich University

Norwich University's Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations program produces graduates who vastly outperform the national field, earning $73,947 right out of the gate—nearly $13,000 above the national median for this specialized field. Perhaps even more striking: graduates leave with just $8,333 in debt, less than a third of the typical $24,939 burden for this degree nationwide. That 0.11 debt-to-earnings ratio is exceptional, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in less than two months of work.

The program sits in the 95th percentile nationally for both earnings and low debt, a rare combination that reflects Norwich's military-focused heritage and strong defense industry connections. While Vermont only has one school offering this program (making state comparisons less meaningful), the earnings growth to $80,707 by year four suggests graduates are building careers rather than plateauing. The military intelligence and cybersecurity sectors clearly value Norwich's specialized training.

For families worried about the ROI on a specialized intelligence degree, this is about as low-risk as it gets. Your child would start with strong earnings, minimal debt, and clear pathways into government and defense contractor roles that typically offer stability and advancement. The moderate sample size means the data is reliable but not overwhelming—this isn't a massive program, which may actually work in graduates' favor given the specialized nature of intelligence work.