Bachelor's degrees in cybersecurity prepare students to protect computer systems against malicious attacks. Graduates can enter a constantly evolving, in-demand field with high-paying opportunities.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects computer and information technology jobs to grow 15% from 2021-2031, much faster than average. Professionals in this field earn a median annual wage of $97,430, more than double the median for all jobs.
Learn about the best online cybersecurity schools in this guide. We also cover online cybersecurity degree courses and careers,including educational requirements and average salaries.
What Is Cybersecurity?
Experts date the beginning of cybersecurity to around 1970, when an engineer named Bob Thomas created the first viruscapable of transferring between computer networks. In 1988, Robert Morris followed in Thomas' footsteps, inventing aworm that caused enough damage to halt operations across the nascent internet.
Now a necessary position in nearly every workplace, cybersecurity professionals protect their organizations' computersystems from attacks. With business becoming increasingly reliant upon cloud computing, attackers attempt to stealsensitive information and interrupt operations, making cybersecurity a crucial component of any company.
Graduates with bachelor's degrees in cybersecurity qualify for professional roles as consultants, informationsecurity analysts, and computer and information systems managers. According tothe BLS, the top employing industries for information security analysts include computer systems design,management of companies and enterprises, and credit intermediation and related activities.
With 141,200 information security analysts employed nationwide, BLS projectiondata indicates a surge in demand of 33% in the profession between 2020 and 2030, far outpacing the national averagefor all occupations.
Why Get an Education in Cybersecurity?
Higher education entails a significant investment of time, energy, and money. Cybersecurity degree-holders can expectto enter a job market that rewards their investment through lucrative jobs within many career fields. Technologyenthusiasts with strong problem-solving skills can find ample opportunities in this challenging and rewardingsector. Consider the following reasons to pursue a cybersecurity degree:
Opportunity: With cybersecurity now comprising a crucial component of most businesses, degree-holders can pursue roles in many industries and locations.
- Challenge: As technology expands and changes, cyberattackers use new methods for undermining computer systems.
Cybersecurity professionals must maintain up-to-date knowledge and explore creative solutions, resulting in anengaging and challenging career.
Earning Potential: According to BLS data, information security analysts made a median salary of $102,600 in May 2021. Among other lucrative opportunities, cybersecurity degree-holders may also apply their expertise as IT managers, who took home a median annual salary of $159,010 in May 2021.
Top Online Cybersecurity Bachelor's
Explore programs of your interests with the high-quality standards and flexibility you need to take your career to the next level.
Top Online Schools for Cybersecurity Degrees
The following list ranks 5 of the best online cybersecurity schools; learners can use this page to find the rightschool for their career goals and learning preferences. To examine our ranking methodology, visit the link below.
Our Ranking MethodologyWhat to Expect From a Cybersecurity Degree Program
A bachelor's degree in cybersecurity prepares students to protect digital assets through offensive and defensivemethods. The curriculum combines theoretical coursework with hands-on projects to emphasize skill-building incritical thinking, analysis, communication, and research. Students can also collaborate with local businesses.
To complete a cybersecurity degree, an enrollee must typically complete 120 credits, including any transfer credits.Some programs allow learners to apply work experience, such as industry credentials, toward degree completion.Depending on the program, the number of transfer credits, and individual student needs, program timelines can varyfrom 18 months to six years.
Many cybersecurity degree programs offer multiple tracks or concentrations. Foundational courses cover topics likenetwork administration, information systems security, and computer programming. Some programs also cover certain aspects ofbusiness environments, such as organization management. Tuition rates also vary by institution, though many schoolsfeature reduced rates.
Admission Requirements for Cybersecurity Schools
Cybersecurity programs often require applicants to hold an associate degree in cybersecurity or other collegeexperience, like a cybersecurity certificate, beforequalifying for admission. These programs expect students to enter the program with about 30 credits already earned.Some schools do not require any previous college coursework. In either case, most programs allow degree-seekers totransfer more credits into the program as needed.
Applicants may also encounter GPA minimums, typically in the 2.5-3.0 range. In addition to an online application,schools typically require an application fee, personal statement, resume, transcripts, and letters ofrecommendation.
Prospective students can use the Common App to create a single, streamlined application for multiple schools. TheCommon App also provides planning resources and financial aid information.
Bachelor's in Cybersecurity Degree and Concentration Options
Most cybersecurity bachelor's degree programs offer BS degrees. Individuals interested in pairing business andtechnology can also pursue bachelor's degrees in business administration with a focus in cybersecurity.
Several of the best cybersecurity programs offer a selection of specializations, allowing students to tailor their studies to their interests and career goals. Common options include:
- Computer Forensics:
Computer forensics involves investigation and vulnerability testing, with courses focused on network and malwareforensics. Students learn to detect and respond to network intrusions.
- Cybercrime and Fraud Investigation: This specialization focuses on unearthing crimes like money
laundering, credit fraud, and fraud prevention.
- Information Assurance: Emphasizing the prevention of data-driven cybercrime, the information
assurance concentration
teaches students to run protected cyberoperations and continually assess systemvulnerabilities. - Information Warfare and Security Management: An information warfare concentration focuses on
issues of national security and explores cyberintelligence from offensive and defensive positions.
Popular Courses at Cybersecurity Schools
Every cybersecurity degree program maintains different requirements and expectations. Prospective students shouldkeep their own interests in mind while researching schools, as coursework differs substantially among schools.Still, degree-seekers can expect to encounter some similarities as they consider their options.
Major requirements for a bachelor's in cybersecurity usually split core degree requirements and electives orconcentration options. Some programs also require each enrollee to complete a capstone or senior project. Frequentlyrequired courses include:
Fundamentals of Computer Networking: Cybersecurity personnel must understand the systems they aim to protect. By studying networking theories and protocols, plus common structures and terminology, learners develop the foundational knowledge they need to apply security measures. Topics include common networking types, hardware, applications, and routing concepts.
Computer Science I: This staple of the more technically oriented concentration pathways, such as network forensics and information assurance, covers general knowledge in data structures, programming, and algorithms. A computer science course generally comprises theoretical principles and project-based learning.
Cyberlaw and Cybercrime: This course provides a foundation in the legal aspects of cybersecurity. Students learn about laws and regulations as they apply to information security, internet fraud, and the use of digital forensics. Coursework also touches on approaches for investigations that extend across international borders.
- Information Security: With data breaches becoming a common occurrence among corporations, every business aims to enhance the protection of their sensitive information. This course may cover cybersecurity as it applies to both business
and government, focusing on the value of information, legal issues, policy development, and system maintenance as it applies to data security.
Cybersecurity Capstone: Capstone expectations vary by program. Some schools require each student to work with an advisor to develop an individual project, while others use seminars. In some cases, students work directly with an existing company to assess their cybersecurity protocols and infrastructure.
Jobs for Graduates of Cybersecurity Colleges
With degrees in cybersecurity, candidates can leverage their expertise to impress potential employers for manycomputer-related roles. BLS data indicates that careers in the information security fieldrequiring a bachelor's degree took home a national median salary that exceeded $100,000 in 2021. Computer systemsanalysts earned a median income of $99,270 in 2021, while computer programmers earned a median income of $93,000 inthe same year.
Graduates might also consider obtaining professional certifications, such as CompTIA Security+, to help securelucrative manager or director positions. A master's degree can also accelerate advancement opportunities to roles ascomputer and information research scientists, for which the BLS reports a median 2021 salary of $131,490.
Top Jobs for Bachelor's in Cybersecurity Graduates
Top Online Cybersecurity Bachelor's
Explore programs of your interests with the high-quality standards and flexibility you need to take your career to the next level.
How to Choose the Best College for a Cybersecurity Degree
Our rankings provide an excellent anchor for students beginning or continuing their search for the rightcybersecurity degree. However, prospective enrollees should consider their own goals and preferences beforecommitting to a program.
Accreditation plays a crucial role in the search for any degree program. Institutional accreditation applies toschools themselves, while programmatic accreditation refers to specific degrees within a school. Many institutionsdo not recognize transfer credits or degrees earned without institutional accreditation. Cybersecurity degree-seekers mayalso want to look for programs accredited by the National Centers for Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity.
Prospective students should consider the availability of extracurricular activities and university resources.Distance learners may wish to know what kind of community-building opportunities the program provides, such as clubmemberships and online events. Other important resources include career services and alumni networks, libraryassistance, disability services, and tutoring.
The cost of a program also weighs heavily for many degree-seekers. Some online cybersecurity schools offer scholarships and other formsof financial aid, so students should ask about these opportunities when contacting potential schools. Learnersshould also balance cost against earning potential — many of the best colleges for cybersecurity offer details on graduate success rates,including how quickly graduates secured jobs, salary ranges, and specific job titles.
Why You Should Get Your Cybersecurity Degree Online
The success of online education grows by the year as more top institutions recognize the value of distance learning.
Before committing to an online cybersecurity degree, however, degree-seekers should consider their personalpreferences and tendencies. Distance education in cybersecurity curriculum compares equally with the rigor of in-person coursework,necessitating strong self-motivation on the part of the students. Some may want to participate in a busy on-campusatmosphere, whereas others excel in individual study.
Cybersecurity college students should consider the program structure that best matches their situation andpersonality. Some online courses run through real-time web meetings, requiring enrollees to attend courses atscheduled times. Others present materials for students to complete on their own schedules. Degree-seekers may alsoprefer a hybrid approach, which incorporates regular or occasional in-person meetings.
Should you attend a cybersecurity bootcamp instead? Review these tips for taking online cybersecurity classesFrequently Asked Questions About Online Cybersecurity Classes
What degree do I need for cybersecurity?
A cybersecurity degree typically comes in the form of a BS in cybersecurity. Students interested in business mightconsider a BS in administration with a concentration in cybersecurity, as well.
How long does it take to get a bachelor's degree in cybersecurity?
Depending on the number of credits transferred into a program, a cybersecurity degree can take 18 months to fouryears. Part-time students may extend programs longer, if necessary.
What can I do with a degree in cybersecurity?
As an essential component to many computer-related professions, cybersecurity opens the doors to jobs like information security analyst, computer and information systems manager, and database administrator.
Is an online cybersecurity degree worth it?
BLS projection data indicates that demand for information security analysts will grow by 33% between 2020 and 2030, far exceeding the national average for all occupations. With an overall growth of 13% for all computer and IT professions, graduates can enter a booming job market with high earning potential.
