Key takeaways
- Searching for colleges with cybersecurity majors in the USA can be time-consuming so here is a list of the best cybersecurity schools to make college planning easier.
- Though it is a specialized concentration in the field of computer science, a cyber security major is not the same as a computer science degree.
- Through a four-year bachelor’s degree in cyber security students develop technical competencies and applied skills enabling them to succeed in the professional field.
- Students can choose from a BA, BS, BSc, or BAS degree in cybersecurity at the undergraduate level and then go for a master’s or doctorate.
- Purdue University has team-based labs where students test new ideas and develop practical skills.
- St. Philips College cybersecurity major provides students the option to pursue education online, on-campus, or in a hybrid format.
- Bay Path University offers an online cybersecurity program ideal for students looking for a flexible learning format.
If you are searching for colleges with cybersecurity majors in the USA, you are bound to have several questions. Should I look for cybersecurity colleges near me? What are the signs I should pursue a cyber security major? How do I select the right cybersecurity bachelor’s degree?
Moreover, the sheer number of available options can be daunting. With your SAT, or ACTs coming up, end-of-year exams and projects, and emotional goodbyes, college planning can be a real challenge.
So, in this article, we make finding colleges with cybersecurity majors in the USA easier for those hoping to pursue a bachelor’s in cybersecurity.
List of colleges with cybersecurity majors in the USA
The list of US colleges offering cybersecurity majors is nearly endless. Here are some of the top cybersecurity colleges. Read on for a brief overview of each and their locations, specifically included for students searching for an answer to their search query for “cybersecurity colleges near me”.
University of Tampa
The University of Tampa offers a four-year bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, as well as a cybersecurity minor and a master’s degree. At the entry-level, we suggest candidates pursue the comprehensive four-year program as it offers the best value.
At the bachelor’s level, students learn how to protect networks, systems, and IT infrastructure as well as the information within. They develop comprehensive knowledge and skills in the cybersecurity field by taking a diverse range of courses.
Topics of study include cryptography, risk management, security governance, business and critical infrastructure, security architecture, and more. Through a rigorous learning program, students will build skills in:
- Security and risk management
- Security engineering
- Security operations
- Security assessment and testing
- Asset security
| Location | Min. GPA | Acceptance rate | Tuition |
| Tampa, Florida | 3.0 | 26.3% | $32,218 |
George Mason University
At George Mason University candidates have two options in the cybersecurity field. They can either pursue a BS in Cybersecurity Engineering, or a Bachelor of Applied Science with a concentration in cybersecurity.
The Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degree offers a concentration in Cybersecurity. The BAS concentration option is ideal for those who want to pursue a program with a wider breadth of study, preferably including liberal arts components. The exact entry requirements for the program are quite different and you can view them here.
The cybersecurity engineering degree focuses on the development of critical security infrastructure. The curriculum revolves around quantitative methodology and practical implementation of cybersecurity infrastructures. It is the ideal option for students with a strong mathematics and science inclination.
| Location | Min. GPA | Acceptance rate | Tuition |
| Fairfax, Virginia | 3.0 | 90% | $13,401 (in-state)
$38,983 (out-of-state) |
Illinois Institute of Technology
The Illinois Institute of Technology offers a BS in Applied Cybersecurity and Information Technology. As the name suggests, the curriculum focuses heavily on building technical competencies among students.
Through the four-year program, students will gain a well-rounded education in the field of cybersecurity and information technology. The program focuses on developing skilled practitioners in the field of cybersecurity and information technology.
Additionally, students undertake several courses in mathematics, ethical hacking, steganography, mobile device forensics, operation system security, and more. After graduating from one of the best cyber security schools for bachelor’s, students can also pursue a master’s degree from Illinois Institute of Technology.
| Location | Min. GPA | Acceptance rate | Tuition |
| Chicago, Illinois | 3.0 | 61.4% | $50,640 |
Georgia Institute of Technology
The School of Cybersecurity and Privacy at Georgia Institute of Technology is one of the best cybersecurity schools in the nation. Students can apply for a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering with a concentration in cybersecurity at the Georgia Institute of Technology.
During the program, students develop various competencies which enable them to excel in the field of cybersecurity. The curriculum imparts combined knowledge of technology, business policy, and practical implementations.
Students learn about cryptography, cloud security, malware, cyber-physical systems, malware, and more. They then choose a concentration focus from some of the most sought-after practical implementations of cyber security.
These include:
- Election systems
- Healthcare systems
- Hardware security
- Cyber warfare
- Communication system security
- Machine-to-machine trust
| Location | Min. GPA | Acceptance rate | Tuition |
| Atlanta, Georgia | 3.3 | 17.1% | $11,714 (in-state)
$32,876 (out-of-state) |
Purdue University
The Purdue Polytechnic Institute at Purdue University takes a holistic approach to learning in the cybersecurity field. The institute recognizes the high demand for security professionals and combines knowledge of the IT industry with cybersecurity to impart well-rounded education.
During the 4-year program, students develop core competencies such as cryptography, secure coding, critical thinking, digital forensics, and more. Additionally, they also learn the fundamentals of UNIX.
Moreover, Purdue Polytechnic Institute focuses on experiential learning. Thus, the campus has many team-based labs that provide students with the opportunity to learn through the implementation of ideas. Plus, the social interaction opportunities develop interpersonal skills such as communication, team spirit, and more.
The combination of technical competencies and applied skills makes Purdue one of the top cybersecurity colleges. It is also affordable, with a decent acceptance rate, and a minimum required GPA of 3.0.
| Location | Min. GPA | Acceptance rate | Tuition |
| West Lafayette, Indiana | 3.0 | 52.7% | $9,992 (in-state)
$28,794 (out-of-state) |
Western Washington University
Western’s BS in Cybersecurity degree is a special program. Students can earn a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity by undertaking a 2-year cybersecurity transfer degree at a partner community college for two years.
They can then pursue a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity from Western Washington University by completing an additional two-year program. Those looking for “cybersecurity colleges near me” will be pleased to know they can undertake the last two years of the BS in Cybersecurity at any of the university’s three campuses at Bellingham, Poulsbo, or Kirkland.
At the end of the four years, students will have developed a competitive edge in the job market, by building a comprehensive set of skills and competencies in the field. The two-tier program also provides a different learning environment, enabling students to step out of their comfort zone and broaden their horizons.
| Location | Min. GPA | Acceptance rate | Tuition |
| Bellingham, Washington | 2.0 | 92.7% | $9,582 (in-state)
$28,707 (out-of-state) |
St. Philips College
St. Philips College cybersecurity bachelor is a flexible learning program that students can pursue either online, on-campus, or in a hybrid format. The college offers a renowned Bachelor of Applied Technology in Cybersecurity.
The program aims to impart technical competencies that can get graduates entry-level jobs in the cybersecurity field. Students benefit from a carefully crafted curriculum, which enables them to develop professional competencies.
St. Philips College cybersecurity bachelor’s is a baccalaureate program designed by industry leaders to help aspiring professionals gain the skills needed to succeed. It is also one of the most affordable programs in the field.
| Location | Min. GPA | Acceptance rate | Tuition |
| San Antonio, Texas | 2.0 | 100% | $6,472 (in-state)
$14,272 (out-of-state) |
Bay Path University
If you are looking for a program that offers a flexible learning format and practically implementable industry knowledge, Bay Path University is ideal for you. The university offers an online BS in Cybersecurity with a focus on Information Assurance at The American Women’s College.
The 3.5-year program teaches students to use real-world tools, and knowledge to analyze network and security systems. Additionally, they learn to identify vulnerabilities and provide solutions to overcome them.
Graduates will possess in-depth knowledge of security systems and procedures that will help them create systems that will meet organizations’ cyber safety requirements.
| Location | Min. GPA | Acceptance rate | Tuition |
| Longmeadow, Massachusetts | 2.0 | 76% | $35,781 |
What do you need to know about a cybersecurity major?
Cybersecurity is the study of computer systems, IT infrastructure, networks, and data within. Though some colleges offer cybersecurity as a concentration focus in computer science degrees, the two are quite different.
A cyber security major features a rigorous 4-year curriculum through which students develop a broad spectrum of technical and soft skills. Essentially, the focus of a cybersecurity degree is on building technical aptitude within students, in combination with analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
In the professional field, students will be required to leverage problem-solving skills with technical aptitude and find real-time solutions to cybersecurity threats.
Cybersecurity threats include malware, phishing attacks, password attacks, data hacking, and more. The goal of these attacks is to steal sensitive data that hackers then use to demand ransom or sell on the black market to make a quick buck.
The goal of cybersecurity professionals is to build firewalls and put up relevant security measures to prevent unauthorized access. Additionally, they have to monitor all internet activity round the clock or put up efficient alarm systems that can detect intruders early on.
Types of degrees offered by US colleges with cybersecurity majors
In the US colleges with cybersecurity majors usually offer four types of degrees. Some of these are entry-level programs and others are advanced specializations. Keep in mind, that cyber security majors are not the same as computer science degrees.
Here is a short overview of each.
Associate
An associate degree is a two-year entry-level program. Many community and online colleges offer condensed programs, where students develop some technical skills and a basic understanding of the field.
It prepares students for entry-level jobs in the cybersecurity industry. In some cases, students pursue an associate degree to test the waters before enrolling in a four-year program.
Bachelor
A bachelor’s degree is a four-year entry-level program that prepares students for multiple roles in the cybersecurity field. Students have the option to pursue a BA, BS, or B.Sc. degree at the undergraduate level.
Where BS and B.Sc. are both recognized as Bachelor of Science, in some colleges, the distinction lies in the curriculum. BS degrees focus more on building technical and practical skills, whereas B.Sc. are more research-focused degree programs.
The distinction between a BA and a BS or B.Sc. degree lies in the core courses offered. A Bachelor of Arts or BA has a core focus on arts and humanities subjects such as communication, problem-solving, history, and so on.
A Bachelor of Science degree in contrast requires students to undertake compulsory natural science courses such as mathematics, and English. The curriculum also focuses on enhancing quantitative skills, enhancing data-backed decision-making skills.
You will also come across the term Bachelor of Applied Science, especially for cybersecurity degrees. It features a core focus similar to a bachelor of science but with a focus on experiential learning and building job-related skills.
Masters
If you want to build specialized skills, a master’s degree is the best choice after graduating with a bachelor’s cybersecurity degree. A master’s degree typically spans around 2–3 years, depending on the program type.
Doctorate
Additionally, students who aim to become industry experts can further pursue a doctorate in cybersecurity. However, to pursue a doctorate, they must have significant experience in the cybersecurity field. The degree typically lasts three to seven years and is primarily research-based with some applied components.
What specializations do colleges with cybersecurity majors have?
There are several areas of specialization students can pursue within a cybersecurity major. Specialization helps students develop a niche set of skills, and proficiencies in their desired area of interest.
Security Architecture
A security architect designs structures that protect networks and systems against malware attacks. Students learn how to identify every possible threat and create an efficient defense system against it.
Incident Response
Incident response specialists are the first responders in case of a cybersecurity attack. Here, students learn how to detect areas of entry, contain the intruder’s access, and find the quickest possible solution to eliminate them.
Application Security
In the application security specialization, students focus on building competencies in creating security systems for applications, specifically.
Penetration Testing
Penetration testing is where students learn ethical hacking to test a system’s efficiency. Their task is to expose a security system’s vulnerabilities and prepare a detailed report so the security architect can fix the problem.
Information Security
Information security is an integral part of the cyber security field. Here, students learn to monitor network breaches and security threats to information systems and networks.
The demand for information security analysts is high in the USA With a 33% expected job growth in the next ten years, as per the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, it is one of the fastest-growing career paths in cybersecurity.
What can I expect to learn at colleges with cybersecurity majors?
Firstly, and most importantly, in a cyber security bachelor’s degree students learn a variety of security principles and practice their implementation on a variety of systems and networks.
Secondly, they learn to conduct in-depth risk assessment which enables them to analyze and evaluate existing systems to determine loopholes and find threats or risks.
Lastly, they learn to devise strategies to improve existing system security. Additionally, they also identify and cater to computing requirements to enhance problem-solving efficiency in the future.
Moreover, students learn various complementary skills that go hand in hand with technical aptitude in the professional cybersecurity field. These include interpersonal skills such as communication, decision-making, and problem-solving.
Students will also gain in-depth knowledge of risk management, project planning, time management, setting achievable goals, and legalities and ethics in the computing field. Cybersecurity majors lead to financially rewarding professional careers.
However, the computing field is not for everyone and those with a personal interest in data protection, IT infrastructure, and network security perform better in the professional sphere. So, if financially rewarding career paths are what you seek, consider entrepreneurship or other business entrepreneurship degrees.
Additionally, students can explore traditional career paths like human resources, or take a different career direction by studying criminology.
Apply to colleges with cybersecurity majors today!
The high job growth rate, number of available options, and availability of flexible learning formats make cybersecurity an ideal field for many. Moreover, a cybersecurity degree leads to a financially rewarding career path, unlike any other degree.
The career outlook for entrepreneurship or human resource degrees isn’t even as bright as that of cybersecurity. So, if you are passionate about IT infrastructures, and data protection, take the step towards a rewarding career in cybersecurity today!