Best Cyber Security Degree Programs of 2023
Cyber attacks designed to steal personal data, expose corporate secrets, or simply disrupt computer operations continue to rise globally, driving demand for IT security professionals. A degree in cybersecurity provides the skills you need to enter this important and growing field.
Why This Matters
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THE U.S. NEEDS 56,500 MORE SECURITY ANALYSTS
Employment of information security analysts will grow by 35% through 2031, far outpacing other computer careers.
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CYBERSECURITY PAYS OVER $100,000
The median annual wages for information security analysts is $102,600. That’s higher than the average for all computer professions.
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CLOUD COMPUTING IS DRIVING DEMAND
The risk of cyberattacks continues to grow as more small and midsize enterprises shift critical operations to cloud computing platforms and launch other digital initiatives. Almost 11% of corporate IT budgets are earmarked for cybersecurity.
Our Research
This list features some of the best cybersecurity degree programs at top colleges across the country. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions. The programs on our list are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), a nongovernmental agency that ensures computer, engineering, and applied sciences programs meet its quality standards.
We evaluated each school’s program on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, and reputation as well as the student resources provided for on-campus students. Then we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Next, we compared this comprehensive list of cybersecurity degree programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like the U.S. News & World Report among others to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
The Top 50 Cyber Security Degree Programs to Consider
What You Should Know About This Degree
When considering an information security career, you should understand the difference between a cybersecurity degree and similar educational programs. There are a variety of computer degrees available, including data science, network administration, programming, and systems design, that touch on data security topics. However, cybersecurity programs provide detailed, specific knowledge and skills that explore advanced tools and techniques to protect computer data and systems from cyberattacks.
Finding an accredited cybersecurity program helps ensure you get full value for your educational investment. The two leading cybersecurity accreditation groups are provided by the federal government’s National Security Agency and the privately run ABET.
Certifications aren’t mandatory to work in cybersecurity, but they help you start or advance your career. The most widely sought designation is the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), held by more than 150,000 people globally. There are a number of other certifications available in specific areas, such as internet security, or for vendor-specific software platforms, such as Microsoft or Cisco.
The sector’s 35% growth rate is over two times higher than the 15% forecast for all computer positions and far above the 5% projected across all occupations.
What’s Next?
Here are some questions to consider when exploring cybersecurity degree programs:
- Am I eligible for this degree? Undergraduate and certificate programs in cybersecurity typically have the same requirements as other programs, although aptitude with technology and mathematics is definitely helpful. Master’s programs generally expect candidates to hold an undergraduate degree in computer science, plus possibly some work experience in the field.
- What licensing or certifications are required? Cybersecurity certifications aren’t required to enter the field, but they’re recommended to help you start or advance your professional career.
Your research into cybersecurity degree programs should begin online by checking out school websites. If you narrow your choices to an on-campus program, you should also visit its facilities and make sure the technology is up-to-date. Review the admissions requirements, particularly for postgraduate work, and keep track of application deadlines to help ensure the admissions process goes smoothly.
Also, give some thought to how you will finance your education. Research the kinds of scholarships, grants, and other forms of assistance available through your school of choice. You might also be able to take advantage of tuition reimbursement programs if you’re employed.