Intelligence & Security Operationsat Coastal Carolina University
Graduates earn $35,150/yr in their first year — about 38.0% below the national Intelligence & Security Operations average. Base-case 10-year earnings $509K; scenarios range from $476K to $511K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Coastal Carolina University
This unique program positions you in a highly specialized field, but its value is significantly shaped by the regional labor market. While you'll gain valuable skills in intelligence gathering and operational support, the opportunities immediately surrounding Conway, SC, often fall within local government, law enforcement, or smaller regional contractors. These roles, while critical, are typically tied to public sector pay scales or localized defense budgets, which may not match salaries found in major intelligence hubs or tech-forward defense corridors.
Furthermore, the "information operations" aspect of your training increasingly intersects with AI capabilities. Many tasks involving data synthesis, pattern recognition, and preliminary analysis are becoming highly susceptible to automation. This means your career path will likely demand a focus on interpreting AI-generated insights, managing human-AI teams, or developing the strategic judgment that AI cannot replicate. To maximize your prospects, actively seek out internships that immerse you in these advanced applications and be prepared to explore opportunities in larger metropolitan areas or specialized federal centers.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Coastal Carolina University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Intelligence & Security Operations
How Coastal Carolina University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Coastal Carolina University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Coastal Carolina University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Intelligence & Security Operations offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Intelligence & Security Operations trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Intelligence & Security Operations at Coastal Carolina University
What does a 33/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Intelligence & Security Operations at Coastal Carolina University?
At 33/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Intelligence & Security Operations programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Intelligence & Security Operations at Coastal Carolina University?
The 46% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is Coastal Carolina University a good choice for Intelligence & Security Operations despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Coastal Carolina University's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.