Military Science and Operational Studies: is this bachelor's degree worth it?
National picture across 1 reporting college programs.
10-year estimate · Strong payoff
+$368,672 over 10 years
National scenario across reporting bachelor's degree programs, using median year-4 earnings, their institutions’ average net prices and a typical 4-year duration.
At this price, the reported earnings produce a wide margin over the comparison salary.
3.7 yrsModeled economic break-even
+169%Modeled 10-year ROI
$103,706Observed earnings · year 4
$101,765Maximum annual price for positive 10-year payoff
The price benchmark is $92,168 per year below this threshold.
Includes direct price and earnings forgone while studying. Assumes $45,000 in alternative annual earnings and no wage growth. How we calculate itFour useful answers about Military Science and Operational Studies
How much do Military Science and Operational Studies bachelor's degree graduates earn?
The national median is $103,706 four years after completion across reportable bachelor's degree programs in this federal field.
How much federal debt do graduates have?
The median reported federal debt is $19,531. The figure excludes private loans and does not describe every graduate.
Does the college matter for Military Science and Operational Studies?
Yes. The middle half of reporting programs ranges from $103,706 to $103,706 in observed year-4 earnings.
What careers are related to Military Science and Operational Studies?
DegreeVerdict links this field to 5 displayed occupations using the official federal CIP–SOC crosswalk. Occupational wages are career context, not graduate salary promises.
PRICE SENSITIVITY
The price can change the verdict.
Hold observed earnings constant and see how the modeled ten-year payoff changes as annual price rises.
← Negative payoff$0Positive payoff →
$0Annual price+$407,060
$10,000Current college-wide context+$367,060
$20,000Annual price+$327,060
$40,000Annual price+$247,060
$60,000Annual price+$167,060
$80,000Annual price+$87,060
$100,000Annual price+$7,060
Observed national outcomes
$103,706Median reported earnings · year 4
Not availableAverage reported earnings · year 5
$19,531Median federal debt
96thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential
Not availableIPEDS 2023–24 first-major awards across matched colleges
1With year-4 earnings
The award total covers 0 matched college records and is not extrapolated to colleges without a match.
Where the middle half of programs lands
Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.
Median
25th percentile$103,706National median$103,70675th percentile$103,706
1 programs report year‑4 earnings.DECISION CHECK
What to compare before choosing a program
The national result is only the starting point. Price, debt and the college-level earnings spread can materially change the payoff.
Choose colleges offering this exact degree
Narrow one field and credential by location, sector and debt, then compare two to four programs side by side.
1 matchesSelect up to four · showing 25 currently operating colleges
Open the full program search →See the spread, not just the national number.
1American Public University System$103,706Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations, wages and demand
Official CIP–SOC links show where this field can lead. They do not imply that every graduate enters the same occupation.
Military Officer Special and Tactical Operations Leaders, All OtherUnreported U.S. jobs · SOC 55-1019NO MATCHUnreported U.S. jobs · SOC 99-9999Military Enlisted Tactical Operations and Air/Weapons Specialists and Crew Members, All OtherUnreported U.S. jobs · SOC 55-3019Special ForcesUnreported U.S. jobs · SOC 55-3018Special Forces OfficersUnreported U.S. jobs · SOC 55-1017
BLS May 2025 wages and 2025–35 employment projections. Career context is separate from graduate outcomes.
Same degree, different outcomes
Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. ROI uses each institution’s average net price as a scenario, not an individual aid offer.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | 10-year ROI | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | American Public University SystemBachelor's Degree | Charles Town, WV | $103,706 | $19,531 | +169% | Strong payoff |
This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.