Updated at: 27-03-2023 - By: Eden Wise

Overview

Cybersecurity programs help students get ready for jobs in the rapidly growing IT sector. Experts in this area safeguard users and businesses from the expanding cybercriminal underground.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the cybersecurity industry has seen incredible development and investment, but it has also seen an alarming increase in cybercrime. More digital records will be compromised in 2020 than in the preceding 15 years combined, according to a special report by Canalys.

Increased security measures are required as our reliance on data, networks, and the cloud grows. When it comes to training their students, the best cybersecurity universities prioritize teaching about cutting-edge tools and techniques.

Education, training, and employment opportunities in the growing field of cybersecurity are all discussed in depth in this resource. We’ve ranked the top cybersecurity programs to help you make an informed decision.

Best Colleges For Cyber Security

Best colleges for cyber security

Carnegie Mellon University

Carnegie Mellon University 

When it comes to computer science and network security, Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) is among the best universities in the world. QS World University Rankings placed the school as the third best in the world for computer science in general, which is quite an accomplishment.

CMU also has one of the largest computer science departments in the country, with over 600 students studying various computing disciplines, and an impressive number of research papers on cyber-information security (more than any other US institution).

You can rest assured that you won’t be the only person interested in cyber security at Carnegie Mellon University. CMU offers a number of dual degrees that give students the opportunity to broaden their professional horizons while still gaining a solid education in this vital area.

The University of California, Berkeley (UCB)

When it comes to cyber security, UC Berkeley is consistently ranked as one of the top universities in the world.

Online cybersecurity courses provided by UC Berkeley are widely regarded as among the best in the country. The Master of Science in Informatics and Cybersecurity is its most prestigious offering. Anyone interested in learning more about the ethics and laws that govern the protection of personal information online can benefit from this course.

Stanford University

Stanford University

Located in Stanford, California, Stanford University is a private research institution. The son of Leland and Jane Stanford, Leland Stanford Junior, inspired its establishment in 1885.

The graduate schools and research facilities at Stanford University are among the best in the world. Several publications agree that it is among the best universities in the world.

A Certificate of Achievement in Cybersecurity can be earned through Stanford’s intensive online program. You can participate in this course from any location in the world. The program is staffed by knowledgeable instructors who will show you the ropes of cutting-edge cyber defense.

Cornell University

Cornell University, in Ithaca, New York, is a prestigious private Ivy League institution. Cornell is well-known for its undergraduate and graduate engineering and business programs.

The cybersecurity degree program at Cornell is highly regarded. Prospective students can enroll in a certificate program that can be finished entirely online at this school.

System security, machine and human authentication, and enforcement mechanisms and strategies are all covered in great depth in this comprehensive program.

University of Michigan-Dearborn

A public research institution, the University of Michigan–Dearborn can be found in Ann Arbor. Originally known as the University of Michigania (Catholepistemiad), the name was changed to the University of Michigan upon its relocation to Dearborn.

The College of Engineering and Computer Science at this university offers a Master of Science in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance degree program.

The school decided to implement this program as a counterintuitive measure to combat the worldwide proliferation of cybercrime. This software is intended for users with a high level of expertise in the field of cyber security.

Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University, which was founded in 1876, is a private university that currently enrolls around 24,000. Forbes, Times Higher Education World University Rankings, the Princeton Review, and US News all rank Johns Hopkins as one of the top universities in the world, and these publications also praise the school for being relatively inexpensive. The best student-to-teacher ratio possible is 7:1, which allows for individualized lessons and a supportive learning environment. The average class size is under 20 students in the United States. Distance learning, weekend and evening classes, dual credits, placement services, and academic counseling are some of the other perks.

Core infosec courses such as Security and Privacy, Cryptography, Computer Forensics, Software Vulnerability Analysis, Intrusion Detection, Cloud Security, Rights in the Digital Age, and Financial Issues in Managing a Secure Operation can be found at the graduate level at Johns Hopkins’ Whiting School of Engineering, which offers interdisciplinary programs in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Technology, and Management and Policy. The Master of Science in Security Informatics at Whiting is a rigorous degree program that can be finished in as little as three semesters. Health and Medical Security and Cryptography & Privacy are two of the research concentrations available through Hopkins’ PhD program. Students at Johns Hopkins University have access to a wide variety of professional resources, including federal agencies, leading R&D institutions, and numerous industries.

Georgetown University

Georgetown University, located in Washington, DC, has been around since 1789 and is widely considered to be one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious institutions. Several publications, including Forbes, Washington Monthly, and the Fiske Guide to Colleges, as well as US News, have recognized Georgetown as one of the best universities in the United States. The 11:1 student-to-teacher ratio fosters individualized lessons and strong bonds among students. In addition, the university’s financial aid programs provide full scholarships to 40% of enrolled full-time undergraduates at Georgetown University.

Cybersecurity law and policy, technological solutions, cyber deterrence, supply chain security, cyberwarfare, and information sharing are just some of the many topics covered by the Institute for Law, Science, and Global Security at Georgetown University’s Cyber Project. International Law, International Organization, International Law & US Foreign Policy, Transitional Justice, the Rule of Law, Multipolarity, and Arms Control are just some of the courses that pertain to government. The Institute also hosts an annual cybersecurity conference where some of the world’s foremost information security professionals gather to discuss the current and future state of the industry from a variety of different perspectives, including those of international relations.

United States Air Force Academy

United States Air Force Academy

The United States Air Force Academy, which opened its doors in 1954, is a public university that is currently home to around 4,300 students. Air Force is ranked #26 among national liberal arts colleges and #3 among top public schools by US News. Air Force promotes a highly collaborative, immersive education with a student-to-teacher ratio of 9:1. The institution places a strong emphasis on academic, military, and athletic excellence. All tuition and fees are paid for, and nearly 70% of classes have fewer than 20 cadets.

“to advance warfighting and industry capabilities within the field of Computer and Cyber Sciences in support of the Air Force, Department of Defense (DoD), and other government and commercial sponsors,” as stated by the Air Force’s Academy Center for Cyberspace Research (ACCR). System security analysis, virtual reality, AI/autonomy, and business process automation are all areas of study. Access to cyber experts, large project resourcing (between $300,000 and $400,000 per year), augmented and virtual reality technology, and more are all part of the world-class list of resources. All year long, cadets work together across departments on capstone projects, and during the summer, they conduct research that often involves collaboration with private and public sector organizations.

Stevens Institute Of Technology

Founded in 1870, Stevens Institute of Technology is a private, coeducational, research university in New York with an undergraduate and graduate student body of 6,300. SIT is a top-75 high school counselor pick and a top-70 national university, according to US News. The university is especially well-known for its engineering, science, and management courses, as well as its emphasis on entrepreneurship. 40 percent of classes have fewer than 20 students, and 9 percent have fewer than 50, contributing to a close-knit learning environment made possible by the 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio.

The Center for the Advancement of Secure Systems and Information Assurance at Stevens is dedicated to six main areas of study: information assurance and cybersecurity; the cultural impact of innovative technologies; professional and non-technical user education; public-private partnerships; and basic and applied research in secure, dependable, and sustainable computing and communications systems. Master’s degrees are available in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Enterprise Security and Risk Management, Networked Information Systems, and other related fields at Stevens University, in addition to the Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity. Both computer science and electrical engineering offer doctoral programs. There are also six graduate certificates to choose from.

Virginia Tech

A Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering with a Cybersecurity emphasis is available through Virginia Tech’s College of Engineering. Courses in network security, information security, and computer security are required for this cyber security bachelor’s degree program. The Cybersecurity Minor at VT is one of the Top Undergraduate Programs in Cybersecurity in Virginia and the United States. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) exams are taken by many engineering/cyber security program grads at VT.

Established in 1872, Virginia Tech is now recognized as a land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant university. VT has more than 33,000 students, making it the largest university in Virginia by that measure.

Texas A&M University

Cyber security is offered as a minor to all Bachelor of Science in Engineering students at Texas A&M University. Students pursuing a baccalaureate degree in any discipline can take advantage of this cyber security minor by choosing from one of three available concentrations. You can choose from the Technology Track, the Engineering Track, or the Interdisciplinary Track. Students seeking admission to the minor program are expected to have a 2.5 GPA or higher. The top cyber security undergraduate programs at A&M give students a wide range of options to tailor their education to their specific goals in the field.

The Texas A&M University System was founded in 1871 as a public, research-oriented university. A&M is unique in that it is a senior military college as well as a sea-grant, space-grant, and land-grant university, all of which speak to the breadth of research conducted on campus. Almost 70,000 people call the Texas A&M University campus home.

University Of Maryland

A Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering with a focus on Cyber Security is available at the University of Maryland’s Clark School of Engineering. Five courses from a list that includes Security, Networks, Computer Systems, and a hands-on practicum make up the University of Maryland’s undergraduate cyber security degree program. The best cyber security undergraduate programs at the University of Maryland frequently collaborate with DC-area agencies and organizations, or run parallel to, their cyber security efforts.

In 1856, thanks to the Morrill Land Grant Act, the University of Maryland was founded. The University of Maryland is a part of the University of Maryland System and serves as its flagship institution. More than 41,000 students are cared for on the sprawling 1,200-acre suburban campus at UMD.

Iowa State University

Students in Iowa State University’s BS in Cybersecurity Engineering program have the chance to put their classroom knowledge into practice in a variety of real-world settings. Earning an undergraduate degree in cyber security from Iowa State University requires students to accumulate 125 semester hours of course work. The best undergraduate cyber security programs can be found at Iowa State University, where students can take classes like Critical Thinking, Information Literacy, Calculus, Data Structures, and Digital Logic.

In 1858, the Morrill Land Grant Act authorized the establishment of Iowa State University as a land-grant institution. In addition to being a space-grant university, Iowa State is also a land-grant university. Nearly 34,000 students attend the university’s eight schools and colleges located on the urban campus.

FAQs

What is the difference between a computer science degree and a cyber security degree?

Degree programs in computer science and cyber security share many commonalities but also have important distinctions. While some courses incorporate elements from both fields, others specialize in just one. Most universities only provide one or the other of these two majors in computer science and cyber security.

How do I choose which college is right for me?

When deciding where to go to college next year, it’s important to look at more than just tuition rates to find the best fit for you. Consider a school’s size, location, and course offerings.

What to Expect From Cybersecurity Degree Programs?

Curriculum varies by cybersecurity school, degree level, and specialty. However, these tools are primarily concerned with finding and eliminating risks to computer networks and systems. Cryptography, software engineering, development, analysis, and forensics are typical discussion topics.

Students who major in cybersecurity develop skills in vulnerability testing and disaster recovery. Some students may choose to focus solely on one subfield, such as risk analysis, security architecture, or cyberlaw. Programmatic accreditation is offered by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, though it is not typically required.

Is cybersecurity worth learning?

Yes. A degree in cybersecurity offers students many rewarding career opportunities. Information security analysts are expected to see a 35% employment growth rate from 2021-2031, according to the BLS, which is much higher than the national average for all occupations.

Conclusion

Cyber security is an expanding industry with plenty of opportunities for those who have the right skillset. Professionals in the field of cyber security can earn well over $100,000 per year. It’s easy to see why so many students are interested in this field.

Choosing a school from our recommended list will increase the likelihood of your success in this in-demand field of study. We hope this article gave you some fresh ideas to consider as you look for a place to live that is perfect for you on every level.