Cybersecurity Programs in New Hampshire
Updated February 27, 2023
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Credit: Philip Case Cohen / Moment / Getty Images
One of the 13 original colonies, New Hampshire became the ninth U.S. state in 1788.
Earning a cybersecurity degree at any level can be a good career move. Demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals outpaces supply, leading to excellent job opportunities for new college graduates. A June 2022 report from market research firm Lightcast found record demand for cybersecurity workers in the first part of the year.
Students interested in pursuing cybersecurity jobs can explore the field at New Hampshire cybersecurity schools. Popular cybersecurity careers in New Hampshire include incident responder, penetration tester, and security director.
Learn more about cybersecurity degrees in New Hampshire with our in-depth guide. We explain what to expect from a typical cybersecurity program, highlight popular careers, and map out professional opportunities in the Granite State.
New Hampshire at a Glance
| Average Wage for Computer and Mathematical Occupations | |
|---|---|
| % of Workforce in Tech | |
| Economic Impact of Tech Industry | |
| Number of Higher Learning Institutions |
Sources: Cyberstates™, NCES, OEWS
Why Go to College for Cybersecurity in New Hampshire?
Although geographically small, the Granite State boasts 24 higher learning institutions, giving students many opportunities for earning college degrees in New Hampshire. Learners interested in studying cybersecurity in the state can choose from at least six schools, including community colleges and four-year universities.
For example, Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in the field. All SNHU cybersecurity programs take place online. New Hampshire students can also access an on-campus cybersecurity bachelor's and an online MS in cybersecurity policy and risk management at the University of New Hampshire (UNH). Several in-state community colleges boast associate-level cybersecurity programs.
New Hampshire offers a promising environment for new professionals to launch tech careers. CompTIA reports that New Hampshire ranks sixth in the U.S. for the percentage of its workforce in tech. CompTIA also notes that tech workers here earn median wages 114% higher than the national median.
Students who plan to stay in New Hampshire may reap career benefits from earning their degrees here. Learners can start to develop a professional network of mentors, classmates, and professors while still in school instead of starting over in a new location after they graduate. Local internships can even turn into job offers.
Education Statistics for New Hampshire
| Higher Education Statistics | New Hampshire Data | National Data |
|---|---|---|
|
Four-Year Colleges |
16 |
2,520 |
|
Two-Year Colleges |
8 |
1,216 |
|
Students Enrolled in Distance Education |
59% |
Sources: NCES
Accreditation for New Hampshire Schools
Make sure that any of the New Hampshire colleges you consider holds accreditation. In the U.S., independent accrediting agencies ensure that higher education institutions meet educational standards.
Institutional accreditation applies to an entire school. Accrediting bodies review factors like curriculum quality, student resources, and faculty qualifications.
Attending an accredited institution makes it more likely that students can learn what they need to know to succeed. Earning a degree at an institutionally accredited school also makes it easier to get financial aid, transfer credit, and apply for graduate programs.
Some cybersecurity programs in New Hampshire hold separate programmatic accreditation from the ABET's Computing Accreditation Commission. This extra credential indicates a high-quality cybersecurity program that meets industry-specific standards.
Considerations for a Cybersecurity Degree in New Hampshire
Many factors go into the college and program selection process. Students looking at New Hampshire cybersecurity programs should consider factors like degree level, format, and school diversity. Some schools only offer undergraduate cybersecurity options. Others offer graduate degrees, like the UNH and SNHU cybersecurity master's programs.
Schools that offer degrees in New Hampshire may provide in-person, hybrid, and fully online programs. Students may have better luck finding online programs in New Hampshire than in other states. In 2021, 74.1% of New Hampshire students enrolled exclusively in distance education classes, significantly higher than the national average.
Explore rankings for top cybersecurity programs around the country
Cybersecurity Concentrations and Similar Degrees
New Hampshire cybersecurity programs offer a variety of concentrations. Schools in the state may also host other cybersecurity-related degrees. The following examples are especially relevant to common career opportunities in the state.
The table below outlines three concentrations that may benefit degree-seekers in New Hampshire.
|
Computer Science |
A computer science degree or concentration can prepare students for many tech careers including and beyond cybersecurity. |
|
Computer Forensics |
A computer forensics degree or concentration focuses on digital storage, computer programming, and cybercrime. Graduates with computer forensics skills can apply for some of the most popular cybersecurity jobs in New Hampshire. |
|
Information Technology Management |
A concentration or degree in IT management can help students prepare for administrative and management roles in cybersecurity and the broader tech field. |
Paying for Your Cybersecurity Degree
Depending on the school you choose, earning a cybersecurity degree in New Hampshire may cost more or less than it does in some other states.
The average cost of tuition and fees at public institutions in New Hampshire is higher than the national average. However, private school tuition in New Hampshire costs less than half of the national average.
New Hampshire cybersecurity programs offer various financing options to help pay for a degree. Consider financial aid options like grants, scholarships, and student loans to offset the cost of tuition.
In-State Versus Out-of-State Tuition
New Hampshire residents pay a lower in-state tuition rate at public schools. Non-residents must pay out-of-state tuition. Private universities typically do not differentiate between in-state and out-of-state tuition.
Out-of-state learners in the region attending school in New Hampshire may qualify for a tuition discount. The New England Board of Higher Education's New England Regional Student Program gives a tuition break to residents of the six New England states who enroll in approved programs at out-of-state public schools in New England.
New Hampshire's Cost of Living
Cost of living can affect your educational budget when considering a school in New Hampshire. New Hampshire's cost of living index score of 109.9 means that basic necessities of life cost about 10% more than the national average. The index considers factors like housing, utilities, transportation, and groceries.
Careers for Cybersecurity Graduates in New Hampshire
Cybersecurity graduates can find many promising career opportunities in New Hampshire.
The state boasts a burgeoning tech sector with jobs clustered in the Manchester metro area. In 2017, tech companies transformed old factory and mill buildings in Manchester into what is now known as Silicon Millyard. At least 30 companies have offices there. Students from nearby universities like UNH and SNHU can complete internships at the Manchester Millyard.
Manchester is not the only New Hampshire location with promising cybersecurity opportunities. For example, top cybersecurity company GlobalSign maintains its U.S. headquarters in Portsmouth, and BAE Systems has offices in Nashua, Merrimack, and Hudson.
The section below discusses some popular New Hampshire cybersecurity careers. We explain typical duties, salaries, and the overall job outlook in New Hampshire for various tech roles.
Select Cybersecurity Careers in New Hampshire
Incident Responders
Incident responders respond to cybersecurity issues using various forensic tools. Typical job duties include vulnerability testing, security auditing, and intrusion detection. Most incident responders need a bachelor's degree in cybersecurity or a related field.
Salary for Incident Responders: $83,510 (December 2022)
Job Outlook in New Hampshire (2020-30): Projections Central includes incident responders in its entry for information security analysts. It projects 36.2% job growth for information security analysts in New Hampshire from 2020-2030.
Penetration Testers
Penetration testers, or pen testers, help locate and resolve security vulnerabilities. Job tasks include simulating cyberattacks, creating reports, and identifying vulnerabilities. Pen testers usually need a bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, cybersecurity, or a related field.
Salary for Penetration Testers: $90,140 (December 2022)
Job Outlook in New Hampshire (2020-30): Projections Central includes penetration testers in its entry for information security analysts. It projects 36.2% job growth for information security analysts in New Hampshire from 2020-2030.
Security Directors
Security directors oversee information security for their organizations, including staff, budgets, equipment, policies, and procedures. Security directors need at least a bachelor's degree in a field like cybersecurity. Many companies prefer candidates with master's degrees.
Salary for Security Directors in New Hampshire: $145,340 (2021)
Job Outlook in New Hampshire (2020-30): Projections Central includes security directors in its entry for computer and information systems managers. It projects 11.8% job growth for computer and information systems managers in New Hampshire from 2020-2030.
The tables below highlight tech career data in New Hampshire and across the U.S.
New Hampshire Employment Trends
| Year | State | National |
|---|---|---|
|
Computer Hardware Engineers |
||
|
2020 Employment |
66, 200 |
|
|
2030 Projected Employment |
67,300 |
|
|
Projected Job Growth, 2020-2030 |
+1.7% |
|
|
Computer Network Architects |
||
|
2018 Employment |
165,200 |
|
|
2028 Projected Employment |
174,200 |
|
|
Projected Job Growth, 2018-28 |
+5.4% |
|
|
Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers |
||
|
2020 Employment |
1,847,900 |
|
|
2030 Projected Employment |
2,257,400 |
|
|
Projected Job Growth, 2020-2030 |
+22% |
|
Source: Projections Central
| Career | New Hampshire Employment | New Hampshire Annual Mean Wage | National Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Computer and Information Systems Managers |
$159,010 |
||
|
Computer Hardware Engineers |
$128,170 |
||
|
Computer Network Architects |
$120,520 |
||
|
Computer Network Support Specialists |
$57,910 |
||
|
Computer Programmers |
$93,000 |
||
|
Computer Systems Analysts |
$99,270 |
||
|
Information Security Analysts |
$102,600 |
||
|
Network and Computer Systems Administrators |
$80,600 |
||
|
Software Developers |
$109,020 |
||
|
Web Developers |
$78,300 |
Source: BLS OEWS
New Hampshire offers many lucrative, in-demand jobs for cybersecurity professionals. Standouts include network and computer systems administrators, software developers, and computer systems analysts. In New Hampshire, all of these professions earn salaries above the national average.
Cybersecurity Employers in New Hampshire
GlobalSign: This global company has its U.S. regional office in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. With more than 500 employees around the world, GlobalSign focuses on cloud-based public key infrastructure solutions. The organization's services help companies keep their communications, sales, and content delivery secure. GlobalSign provides authentication, authorization, encryption, and access control.
BAE Systems: With offices in Nashua, Merrimack, and Hudson, BAE Systems employs more than 6,000 people in New Hampshire. The company focuses on research, development, implementation, and maintenance in defense, commercial, and space electronics.
Minim: Headquartered in Manchester, Minim started in 1977 as a networking company. Today it provides smart software that makes WiFi connections more secure. It is the only company licensed to design and produce Motorola consumer networking products. Minim hires various tech professionals, including cybersecurity experts with artificial intelligence knowledge.
Professional Cybersecurity Organizations in New Hampshire
Consult the New Hampshire-based cybersecurity professional organizations listed below for networking, continuing education, and job opportunities.
-
Information System Security Association New Hampshire Chapter: ISSA's New Hampshire chapter offers professional development and networking opportunities to information security workers. -
ISACA New England Chapter: More than 2,000 members in New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, and Massachusetts make up ISACA's New England chapter. Founded in 1976, the group provides continuing education opportunities for information security professionals. -
UNH Center for Cybersecurity Leadership, Education, and Outreach: Although not a professional organization per se, this center offers cybersecurity-focused education programs. It also supports businesses and government agencies.
Questions About Cybersecurity in New Hampshire
-
Can I get an online cybersecurity degree in New Hampshire?
Students can choose from various cybersecurity schools that offer online degrees in New Hampshire. For example, Southern New Hampshire University provides online bachelor's and master's programs in cybersecurity.
-
Are cybersecurity schools in New Hampshire expensive?
It depends. Some New Hampshire schools that offer cybersecurity programs cost more than the national average, but others may cost less. Students can find various financing options for their degree, including scholarships, loans, and grants.
-
What jobs can I get after studying cybersecurity in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire cybersecurity programs can prepare students to apply for jobs like penetration tester, information security analyst, and software developer. No degree guarantees a job, and what you may qualify for depends on your education level, experience, and areas of expertise.
-
Is cybersecurity a good career in New Hampshire?
The cybersecurity field can provide excellent career opportunities in New Hampshire. For example, information security analysts in the state earn a median annual salary of $110,370 as of 2021, compared to the national median of $102,600.
Page last reviewed on Dec 20, 2022
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