Location: Purcellville, VA•In-State Tuition: $28,425•Admission Rate: 82%•Avg SAT: 1351
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$61,299
Est. from national median (7 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$22,250
Est. from national median (5 programs)

Analysis

Patrick Henry College's Intelligence program carries an estimated debt load of $22,250—below the national median for these specialized programs—but the limited availability of actual outcome data makes this a harder call than it should be. With only 35 schools nationwide offering this niche credential and just two in Virginia, parents are navigating a field where transparent performance metrics are scarce.

The estimated first-year earnings of $61,300 from comparable programs suggest solid initial returns, yielding a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.36 that falls within reasonable bounds for a bachelor's degree. However, these figures represent what similar programs nationally produce, not what Patrick Henry graduates specifically achieve. The college's unusual student profile—no Pell grant recipients and an 82% admission rate—hints at a distinctive institutional model that may not align with typical program outcomes.

For families considering this investment, the core question is whether this particular program's training and network justify choosing it over more established intelligence and security studies programs with verified track records. The modest estimated debt is a positive signal, but absent concrete earnings data for this school's graduates, you're placing faith in Patrick Henry's claimed connections to the intelligence community rather than demonstrated results.

Where Patrick Henry College Stands

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

Patrick Henry College (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
Patrick Henry CollegePurcellville$28,425$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 Patrick Henry College, approximately 0% 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.