Key takeaways
- There is a wide range of private and public colleges in California with excellent cybersecurity programs, including online options.
- The article highlights specific colleges in California, such as California State University San Marcos, California Baptist University, and the University of Southern California, as strong options for cybersecurity education.
- The state, with its massive GDP, is a prime target for cyberattacks. A breach could result in substantial financial losses.
- The number and severity of cyberattacks in California have increased significantly over the past decade.
- The state has recognized the need for stronger cybersecurity and has established initiatives like the Cybersecurity Task Force and Cal-CSIC.
- California boasts a high demand for cybersecurity professionals, with numerous job openings and competitive salaries.
- When choosing a program, consider factors like career aspirations, curriculum, specializations, admission requirements, and graduation requirements.
- The article highlights specific colleges in California, such as California State University San Marcos, California Baptist University, and the University of Southern California, as strong options for cybersecurity education.
California, the Golden State, has the 5th largest GDP in the world, amounting to $3.23 Trillion in 2023, making it the highest in the US. An attack on California’s critical infrastructure could result in losses of millions of dollars.
What better place to study cybersecurity than the state that has the most to lose in case of a cyberattack? But California is home to over 330 colleges and universities so the question is how to find the best college for cybersecurity?
Finding an ideal cybersecurity program at one of the good colleges in California will require significant research. Here, we present a list of private and public colleges in California with excellent cybersecurity programs and provide a guideline on how to decide which is ideal for you.
Private and public colleges in California with great cybersecurity programs
When you are searching for the best college in California, you have the opportunity to choose from excellent traditional and online colleges in California. Here, we present a list of some online, public, and private colleges in California.
California State University San Marcos
The California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) offers an online Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity. It is an ideal option for students looking for online colleges in California offering affordable cybersecurity degrees.
CSUSM’s online cybersecurity bachelor’s program offers a unique opportunity to become a cybersecurity expert. By combining essential skills with practical experience through a capstone project, students are well-prepared to tackle the growing cyber threats.
The program’s accelerated pace and hands-on approach make it ideal for those seeking a fast track to a fulfilling career in a high-demand field. With a shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals, graduates are poised to make a significant impact in protecting digital assets and shaping the future of digital defense.
| Location | Minimum GPA | Acceptance rate | Tuition |
| San Marcos, California | 2.5 | 86.9% | $6,805 (in-state)
$18,685 (out-of-state) |
California Baptist University
California Baptist University‘s online Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity degree program equips students with the essential information technology skills to safeguard organizations’ computer networks and systems.
Aligned with industry standards and recognized by the National Security Agency, the program offers a comprehensive curriculum covering emerging cybersecurity challenges. Students benefit from exclusive pathways to obtain multiple CompTIA certifications, enhancing their career prospects. The program’s flexible online format allows students to learn at their own pace and graduate faster.
Whether you are looking for colleges in Berkeley, California, or in San Francisco, the online bachelor’s in cyber security from California Baptist University is the ideal option. Throughout the program, students gain the knowledge and certifications needed to excel in the competitive field of cybersecurity and contribute to protecting critical digital infrastructure.
| Location | Minimum GPA | Acceptance rate | Tuition |
| Riverside, California | 3.6 | 79.9% | $38,058 |
California Institute of Applied Technology
California Institute of Applied Technology offers a comprehensive Cybersecurity Bachelor’s degree program designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the dynamic field of cybersecurity. With a focus on practical application and industry certifications, CIAT’s program provides a unique advantage.
Students can earn in-demand certifications from leading organizations like CompTIA, Microsoft, and Cisco, strengthening their job prospects. The 3.5-year curriculum covers a wide range of cybersecurity topics, ensuring graduates are well-prepared to tackle complex challenges and meet the evolving demands of the industry.
If you are looking for colleges for cybersecurity offering on-campus learning opportunities, the California Institute of Applied Technology is the ideal option for you. Do not be disheartened by the low acceptance rate. As long as you meet the admission requirements, you will get admission to the program.
| Location | Minimum GPA | Acceptance rate | Tuition |
| Pasadena, CA | 3.5 | 3% | $60,864 |
University of Southern California- Dornsife
The Intelligence and Cyber Operations B.A. at the University of Southern California offers students a unique opportunity to combine their passion for international relations with technical expertise in information technology.
This interdisciplinary program equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the complex world of cybersecurity. By understanding how nation-states and other actors have used cyber technology for both information gathering and misinformation campaigns, students can develop strategies to protect against these threats.
The program’s curriculum provides a strong foundation for a successful career in cybersecurity. It features courses in international relations, information security, ethical hacking, and digital forensics. Graduates of this program will be well-prepared to address the challenges and opportunities presented by the evolving landscape of cyber threats.
| Location | Minimum GPA | Acceptance rate | Tuition |
| Los Angeles, California | 3.87 | 12% | $64,276 |
What makes private and public colleges in California ideal for cybersecurity bachelor?
Besides the fact that you can find some of the best colleges in California, the state has a lot more to offer cybersecurity students. According to a report by Forbes, 5 out of 15 of America’s most cybersecure companies are in California. That alone is a testament to how well-developed the cybersecurity infrastructure is in the Golden State.
Need for cybersecurity professionals
Over the last 10 years, the rate of cybercrime and the number of cyber threats in California has increased exponentially. During this period, cyberattacks on the Port of Los Angeles rose from 7 million to 60 million. An April 2023, cyberattack on the San Bernadino Sheriff Department resulted in the loss of critical data.
More recently, in July 2024, the largest trial court in LA was shut down because of a cyber infiltration. Even though no data was lost, the courts were forced to shut down for over 3 days. In February 2024, the city manager of Oakley, declared a state of emergency as the city’s IT infrastructure was hit by a ransomware attack.
These are just some of the many instances of cybercrime in California. Since California provides about 14% of all United States’ earnings, it is important to strengthen the state’s cybersecurity infrastructure.
Government cybersecurity initiatives
Identifying the need to strengthen cybersecurity infrastructure, the State of California Senior Administration Officials created the Cybersecurity Task Force in 2013. The task force serves as an advisory board to the state’s senior administration officials.
Moreover, California’s Governor’s Office of Emergency Services launched the California Cybersecurity Integration Center (Cal-CSIC). The Cybersecurity Task Force and Cal-CSIC will collaborate to present a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy for the state.
Additionally, there are several initiatives by different colleges in California. The Center for Cybersecurity and AI at the California State University at San Bernadino is a prime example of one. The goal of the center is to promote and aid world-class education and research in the field preparing students to lead the field of cybersecurity.
The State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Agency has allocated over $3.5 million in 2024 to aid the CTF, Cal-CSIC, and other organizations working towards strengthening the state’s cybersecurity infrastructure.
Both the Cybersecurity Task Force and Cybersecurity Integration Center are voluntary organizations where anyone wanting to make a difference can contribute. These are excellent initiatives that provide practical learning opportunities for cybersecurity students enrolled at colleges with cybersecurity majors.
Thriving economy
California’s economy is thriving and has been for the past few years. As the state with the highest GDP, California is home to a diverse range of industries. The top five industries in the state are agriculture, film and television, travel and tourism, tech, and service industries.
Additionally, the construction and healthcare sectors in California are also growing at unprecedented rates. Indicating that the Californian economy is well on its way to recovery from the post-COVID increase in unemployment.
Great career opportunities
According to Cyberseek, a cybersecurity data tracking tool powered by the National Institute of Standards and Technology California has the second highest number of cybersecurity job opportunities for cybersecurity graduates. With over 39,600 jobs, California is one of the best places to enroll in colleges with cybersecurity majors.
The Robert Half Technology Hiring Trends and Salary Guide indicates cybersecurity professionals in Los Angeles California earn 31.0% higher than the national average. Below we have compiled a table depicting the average salary range by city for cybersecurity jobs in California.
| Job title | Average pay | |||
| Los Angeles | San Jose | Oakland | Santa Barbara | |
| Cyber Security Analyst | $159,165 | $160,380 | $164,025 | $154,305 |
| Cybersecurity Engineer | $181,435 | $182,820 | $186,975 | $175,895 |
| Security Architect | $203,050 | $204,600 | $209,250 | $196,850 |
| System Security Manager | $224,665 | $226,380 | $231,525 | $217,805 |
In some cities in California such as Oakland, the average pay range for cybersecurity professionals is 35% higher than the national average. Students wishing to obtain employment in well-paying cybersecurity positions should enroll in a cybersecurity program at one of the top colleges in California.
How to find the ideal private and public colleges in California?
There are several good colleges in California offering a wide range of cybersecurity degrees. Whether you are looking for colleges with cybersecurity majors, or an online cybersecurity degree, the sheer plethora of options will leave you confused. There are over 330 private and public colleges in California. The only search result that will disappoint you is if you search for HBCU colleges in California as there is only of historically black college in California and that too does not offer a cybersecurity major.
When searching for colleges for cybersecurity, students should specify the search. For example using search phrases such as ‘Colleges in San Francisco, California’, ‘HBCU colleges in California’, ‘colleges in Berkeley, California’, and so on will provide better results.
Here is a quick guideline that will help you sort through them to select the best college in California offering a cybersecurity major that fits your ambitions. You can also explore alternative degrees that could prepare you for a career in cybersecurity.
Career aspirations
Before you enroll in a program it is essential to determine whether the learning outcome of the program aligns with your career aspirations or not. For example, if you aspire to become a cybersecurity engineer, a normal bachelor’s in cybersecurity will not prepare you for the role. Make sure you align your career aspirations with your bachelor’s degrees.
Obtaining more information on cybersecurity programs can help you get a clearer picture of your future goals. Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about cybersecurity for those wishing to learn more about the program.
Program curriculum
Typical cybersecurity bachelor’s at the best colleges in California requires completion of a minimum of 120 credit hours of learning. These are divided between classroom learning and professional development through labs and training centers.
All cybersecurity degrees require completion of an internship and a capstone project but some also require completion of an apprenticeship to build a professional working experience.
Available specializations
Students enrolled in cybersecurity programs at the top colleges in California can tailor their learning experience to suit their career goals. This is made possible through available specializations or specialized subjects. Available specializations include:
- Penetration testing
- Cloud security
- Network security
- Application security
- Security architecture
Students can also choose electives in a bachelor’s in cyber security to customize their degree program. Read more about cybersecurity majors in our in-depth guide on all you need to know about cybersecurity bachelor.
Admission requirements
Admission requirements for traditional and online colleges in California are generally the same. However, the requirements vary by institute and your education history.
Typical admission requirements include submission of the following documents:
- High school diploma
- Minimum GPA
- Standardized test scores
- Essay of interest
- Recommendation letters
If you are applying to a 4-year bachelor’s program after getting an associate degree, the requirements vary from if you apply after high school graduation. You can read more about the admission requirements on 5 things you need to know about cybersecurity programs.
Graduation requirements
The graduation requirements are just as important as the admission requirements. They tell you the minimum GPA you must maintain throughout your degree, and additional credit hours and practical experience requirements students must fulfill.
Failure to meet the graduation requirements will mean that the student will have to spend additional time in the program to fulfill them all before they can graduate. Thus, it is best to be aware of them before searching for colleges for cybersecurity.
Enroll in public colleges in California for a successful career in cybersecurity!
Public colleges in California offer affordable, high-quality education in the field of cybersecurity. Whether you are looking for colleges in Berkeley, California, or colleges in San Francisco, California, the options are endless.
You can pursue an associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree in cybersecurity from one of the esteemed public or private colleges in California. Kickstart your career in the Golden State where cybersecurity professionals are in demand.