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Geospatial intelligence analyst education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a geospatial intelligence analyst. Geospatial intelligence analysts usually study intelligence operations, geography, or business. 54% of geospatial intelligence analysts hold a bachelor's degree, and 30% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 942 real geospatial intelligence analyst resumes to see exactly what geospatial intelligence analyst education sections show.
The most common colleges for geospatial intelligence analysts are the American University and the American University.
There are also many online geospatial intelligence analyst courses to help get the education required to be a geospatial intelligence analyst.
What education do you need to become a geospatial intelligence analyst?
What degree do you need to be a geospatial intelligence analyst?
- Bachelor's, 54%
- Associate, 30%
- Master's, 7%
- High School Diploma, 6%
- Other Degrees, 3%
What should I major in to become a geospatial intelligence analyst?
- Geography, 12%
- Business, 11%
- Criminal Justice, 9%
- Other Majors, 44%
Most common colleges for geospatial intelligence analysts
| Geospatial intelligence analyst common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| American University | 26.42% |
| George Mason University | 11.32% |
| James Madison University | 5.66% |
| University of Maryland - College Park | 5.66% |
| Excelsior College | 3.77% |
Best majors for geospatial intelligence analysts
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Intelligence Operations | 24.3% |
| 2 | Geography | 12.1% |
| 3 | Business | 10.7% |
| 4 | Criminal Justice | 9.0% |
| 5 | Political Science | 5.4% |
Best colleges for geospatial intelligence analysts
The best colleges for geospatial intelligence analysts are University of Southern California, Liberty University, and Webster University.
A geospatial intelligence analyst with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for geospatial intelligence analysts. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become geospatial intelligence analysts.
1. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
20 best online courses for geospatial intelligence analysts
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3. Spatial Analysis & Geospatial Data Science in Python
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Top 10 most affordable universities for geospatial intelligence analysts
The most affordable schools for geospatial intelligence analysts are Coastal Carolina University, northern michigan university, and liberty university.
If the best universities for geospatial intelligence analysts are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for geospatial intelligence analysts.
1. Coastal Carolina University
Conway, SC • Private
In-state tuition
$11,716
Cost of attendance
24,599
2. Northern Michigan University
Marquette, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$10,729
Cost of attendance
22,224
3. Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA • Private
In-state tuition
$22,584
Cost of attendance
38,076
4. York College of Pennsylvania
York, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$20,100
Cost of attendance
30,612
5. Missouri State University
Springfield, MO • Private
In-state tuition
$7,376
Cost of attendance
21,062
6. University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ • Private
In-state tuition
$12,467
Cost of attendance
26,712
7. Webster University
Saint Louis, MO • Private
In-state tuition
$27,900
Cost of attendance
42,492
8. The Citadel
Charleston, SC • Private
In-state tuition
$12,516
Cost of attendance
28,743
9. Fontbonne University
Saint Louis, MO • Private
In-state tuition
$26,340
Cost of attendance
38,830
10. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
In-state tuition
$30,160
Cost of attendance
42,206
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for geospatial intelligence analysts
The hardest universities for geospatial intelligence analysts to get into are University of Southern California, Liberty University, and Webster University.
Some great schools for geospatial intelligence analysts are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for geospatial intelligence analysts based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
2. Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA • Private
Admissions rate
56%
SAT average
1,133
3. Webster University
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
56%
SAT average
1,181
4. Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, IN • Private
Admissions rate
89%
SAT average
1,204
5. York College of Pennsylvania
York, PA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
1,132
6. Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL • Private
Admissions rate
67%
SAT average
1,113
7. University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,198
8. Coastal Carolina University
Conway, SC • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
1,103
9. Northern Michigan University
Marquette, MI • Private
Admissions rate
66%
SAT average
1,091
10. Point Park University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
65%
SAT average
1,098
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for geospatial intelligence analysts
The easiest schools for geospatial intelligence analysts to get into are Notre Dame College, fontbonne university, and coastal carolina university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a geospatial intelligence analyst without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for geospatial intelligence analysts.
1. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
2. Fontbonne University
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
1,079
3. Coastal Carolina University
Conway, SC • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
1,103
4. Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL • Private
Admissions rate
67%
SAT average
1,113
5. Maryville University of Saint Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
95%
SAT average
1,146
6. Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, IN • Private
Admissions rate
89%
SAT average
1,204
7. Northern Michigan University
Marquette, MI • Private
Admissions rate
66%
SAT average
1,091
8. York College of Pennsylvania
York, PA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
1,132
9. The Citadel
Charleston, SC • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
1,129
10. Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA • Private
Admissions rate
56%
SAT average
1,133
Average geospatial intelligence analyst salary by education level
| Geospatial intelligence analyst education level | Geospatial intelligence analyst salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $70,443 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $53,310 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $67,401 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $57,191 |
Geospatial intelligence analyst education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025