Cybersecurity is a fantastic career field for students with millions of open positions and competitive compensation. This article covers the top 10 schools in America that offer cybersecurity degrees.
The United States’ educational institutions provide a wide range of cybersecurity courses. I will list the top 10 institutions below and some of their salient features. Let’s read on to discover!
1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
In Cambridge, Massachusetts, there is a private research institution called the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Since its founding in 1861, MIT has contributed to the progress of science and technology, placing it among the best educational institutions in the world.
Due to its research expertise, it is one of the best academic institutions globally. Via its courses, it covers the different facets of cybersecurity in great detail.
MIT established the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory to address sophisticated technological research projects, such as cybersecurity.
The certificate programs offered by MIT can also benefit working professionals.
The organization also manages the Consortium for Interdisciplinary Research for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity. It is one of the world’s foremost research and education institutions on the topic too.
The cybersecurity programs are available at the MIT:
- Applied Cybersecurity to the workplace
- Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security and Networking
- Research programs within the MIT Cybersecurity and Internet Policy Initiative
- Master of Networking with a Cyber Security major
Regarding tuition, if you do not get financial aid, the predicted yearly course fee at MIT is about 72,462 dollars per year.
Online cybersecurity courses are available from MIT in different formats. The research programs, nevertheless, demand on-campus presence.
Website: https://professional.mit.edu/course-catalog/applied-cybersecurity
2. George Washington University
The 166-year George Washington University lies in Columbia, Washington DC.
It is one of the best private colleges and the largest institution of higher learning in the Columbia District.
The American Department of Homeland Security and the National Security Agency has designated it a Center of Academic Excellence for Data Security.
Many learning paths are available for graduate, undergraduate, and professional courses in the field.
This college is one of the few in the country that offers further higher education possibilities in cybersecurity. Cybersecurity law, national security, and U.S. foreign relations law are available as Juris Doctor degrees.
The main cybersecurity programs are available at GWU:
- Cybersecurity-focused World Executive Master of Business Administration
- Cybersecurity Policy & Compliance Online Master of Engineering
- Master of Science in Computer Science Cybersecurity
When talking about financial aid, the average yearly cost of tuition at George Washington University is $76,276. Students can also benefit from the CyberCorps scholarship at this school.
A few online options are available, but most courses are taken in person.
Website: https://www.cps.gwu.edu/cybersecurity-bachelors-degree-completion-program
3. University of California, Berkeley
Many campuses of the University of California in the state offer cybersecurity degrees. These campuses include Berkeley, Davis, San Diego, and L.A.
In the most populated state in the country, there is fierce competition for admission to all of these public institutions due to their high enrollment rates.
The University of California Berkeley is one of the top undergraduate institutions in the country.
Data science, information management, and cybersecurity courses are available at the UC Berkeley School of Information, which also offers graduate certifications in relevant fields.
Faculty members and business leaders often hold events at UC Berkeley to address new and developing fields.
For a more focused career route, you can concentrate on a particular field of cybersecurity application through the University of California Berkeley’s MICS program.
You may choose to examine privacy engineering and user privacy or focus on public policy and its effects on citizens. To activate the Center for Long-Term Cybersecurity, it also collaborates with McAfee (CLTC).
The following cybersecurity classes are available through the University of California, Berkeley:
- Master of Information and Cybersecurity (MICS)
- Berkeley Cybersecurity Boot Camp
- Specializations in government policy, applied machine learning, privacy, and cryptography for graduate degrees
- D. program in Information Management and Systems
Without financial help, the average annual cost of UC courses is $41,528.
Website: https://ischoolonline.berkeley.edu/cybersecurity/
4. DePaul University
DePaul University stays in Chicago, Illinois. It is one of the nation’s more established universities.
It features a strong cybersecurity pupil group called the Security Daemons. The NSA and the Department of Homeland Security also accredited this school.
Most well-known companies, including Microsoft, Apple, McDonald’s, Discover, and Paylocity, employ alumni that specialize in cybersecurity.
DePaul University uses gamification to develop the dedicated nucleus system for cybersecurity education.
It makes it possible for learners to learn through experience in a setting resembling a video game while completing real-world forensics tasks.
DePaul University provides the below cybersecurity programs:
- Master of Science and Cybersecurity
- Graduate studies in Computer Security through a worldwide gateway program
- Undergraduate course in Information Systems Security Engineering
- Undergraduate course in Telecommunication and Network Security Practicum
Without financial help, you need to pay an average tuition of $59,793 annually. You can take courses at DePaul University online or in person.
Website: https://www.depaul.edu/academics/undergraduate/majors/Pages/cybersecurity.aspx
5. Iowa State University
Lying in Ames, Iowa, Iowa State University was established on March 22nd, 1858.
The grants-funded technology and scene degrees offered by Iowa State University are well-known.
The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering is responsible for undergrad cybersecurity classes.
The school also provides graduate-level programs in the subject.
A cybersecurity Minor is an option at this university with backgrounds in software engineering, computer science, and other relevant fields.
Iowa State University is a fantastic alternative for individuals with varying levels of education. There are also master’s degrees and a doctorate track.
The following courses are available at Iowa State University:
- Cyber Security Engineering Degree
- Master of Science in Cyber Security
- D. in Computer Science with a concentration in Information Assurance
- Cyber Security Minor encompasses cybersecurity basics and tools, operating systems, and cryptography.
Without financial support, Iowa State students would have to pay $21,940 in course costs yearly. Iowa State University is predominantly an on-campus school with some off-campus choices for graduate classes.
Website: https://www.ece.iastate.edu/cybersecurity/
6. University of Maryland
The National Security Agency (NSA) has declared that the University of Maryland is a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Research.
The Department of Homeland Security has also recognized the school as an Intelligence Community “Center of Academic Excellence.”
The acclaimed University of Maryland, College Park’s Meng in Cyber Security program offers students the chance to advance their knowledge, skills, and careers via innovation and research.
Reputed organizations worldwide highly rate Meng in Cyber Security at UMCP.
Due to its reputation, this university obtains sufficient funding to provide the most significant learning environments for all its students.
The well-designed curriculum of this full-time postgraduate program seamlessly combines theoretical and practical instruction. It helps the students become more successful in their careers by preparing them for it.
The world-class instructors, cutting-edge facilities, and atmosphere of creativity and innovation on the UMCP campus provide students a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to launch or advance their careers.
Overall, earning an MEng in Cyber Security at the University of Maryland, College Park, is a great way to advance your career and change the world.
Website: https://www.umgc.edu/cybersecurity
7. University of Illinois – Champaign-Urbana
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign took 47th place among the best universities nationwide. It is an interdisciplinary research institution focused on all facets of information technology.
The NSA Center for Information Assurance Education and Research is one of the many excellent educational materials it provides.
It is launching a new scholarship program to help more undergraduate students pursue degrees in information assurance and computer security.
Graduates of master’s degree programs in cybersecurity leave with a solid grasp of how to design secure networks and systems and fortify already-existing systems against cyberthreats.
You can learn how to securely perform penetration testing and risk assessment and examine regulations and hacking ethics.
You will also learn about the threat environment and current trends in cybersecurity in threat intelligence courses.
The school can train you about the tools that help you manage attacks in real-world situations in database and system administration courses.
It would help if it equipped you with a solid academic background, good GRE scores, and a previous understanding of fundamental programming languages and applied mathematics to apply to a cybersecurity graduate school.
Website: https://cybersecurity.uillinois.edu/
8. Rochester Institute of Technology
U.S. News & World Report has again named RIT one of the finest national institutions. At RIT, there are over 120 bachelor’s degrees and online programs.
Although the engineering, computer, and technology departments at Rochester Institute of Technology are well-known, the school also offers degrees in business, liberal arts, and art and design.
The computer security degree program at RIT teaches you how to protect assets, recognize security flaws, demonstrate when dangers are present, and create data recovery procedures.
The RIT cybersecurity degree gives you a strong computer science and mathematics foundation over the program’s first two years.
A programming sequence, a course on ethics, a series on computer networking and system administration, and foundational computer and network security classes are all considered core courses.
With advanced electives that let you decide the emphasis of your cybersecurity degree, you will start an in-depth investigation of various computer security topics in the third year.
A wide range of advanced subjects is available in software security, network, and system security, cyber analytics and intelligence, and data security and privacy.
However, this school is challenging and demanding in terms of effort. It is not the place for a prospective student who wants to attend college for the social scene. Extreme liberals and those who detest the cold weather shouldn’t enroll at this institution.
The cost of tuition at Rochester Institute of Technology is $52,756. Rochester Institute of Technology’s tuition is more costly than the $41,281 national average.
Student loans are the primary alternative to grants for funding higher education. But, they don’t give student loans out for free.
You have to borrow a specific amount to attend RIT. Then once you graduate, you have to pay it back in smaller monthly installments.
Website: https://www.rit.edu/study/computing-security-bs
9. Penn State University
You will complete practical courses in the Cybersecurity Analytics program at Penn State University. This program focuses on technical cyber defensive tactics, risk management, and data-driven cybersecurity analytics.
Project management, cooperation, and teamwork are all crucial components of your IST experience. Through projects that span a whole semester alongside your peers, you will have the chance to use your newly acquired knowledge.
After earning your multidisciplinary online Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations degree, you’ll have the knowledge and skills necessary to work as a skilled cybersecurity professional.
You may learn to foresee and detect hazards as a student in the program, properly communicate possible implications to stakeholders, and protect the security of digital information.
10. Western Governors University
At WGU, your return on investment makes earning a degree extremely worthwhile. Just two years after graduation, WGU graduates see an increase in earnings of $11,800 on average.
You will finish the Cybersecurity and Information Assurance program online via individual study with the assistance of WGU instructors.
Each 6-month term, you must complete a minimum of 8 competence units.
The best part about WGU is that you may get industry certifications in addition to a degree. It is a significant competitive advantage compared to someone with a degree but no certificates.
However, WGU is distinctive and not for everyone. You can find learning challenging if you are not a diligent self-learner.
Understanding the technology you’re attempting to safeguard in the first place is the most challenging aspect of security.
Admission to Western Governors University is quite challenging. You should strive for SAT scores around as well as a 3.15 GPA.
At WGU, a semester lasts for six months. Depending on when you start your program, your term will be six months long.
For instance, if your program starts on March 1st, your first term will last from that day through August 31st.
The WGU Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity is discussed in this video. You should absolutely view this video before applying to WGU.
Website: https://www.wgu.edu/online-it-degrees/cybersecurity-information-assurance-bachelors-program.html
FAQs
What is a good GPA for cyber security?
A bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity often has an acceptable GPA of 3.0. However, more competitive institutions may want higher GPAs.
Does cyber security use math?
Computer science’s technical subject of cybersecurity necessitates excellent analytical abilities from prospective candidates. It isn’t a math-intensive career, but it does need familiarity with specific sorts of arithmetic.
Which country is best for cyber security jobs?
The most open cybersecurity positions are in Singapore. The country that pays cybersecurity specialists the most is Luxembourg.
Conclusion
There are many new career possibilities and a plethora of research in the cybersecurity field. This industry is one of the most in-demand professions.
A high-quality degree may change your career path, boost your earning potential, and give you a beneficial social influence.
These 10 schools provide a variety of cutting-edge undergraduate and graduate degree programs. I hope that you may find a school that meets your finances and demands. Thank you for reading!