Cybersecurity is one of the fastest-growing fields, and you can study it at various colleges across the country. For this article, we wish to describe the best colleges for cyber security.
Hopefully, this will greatly assist you in making the right choice to pursue a career in cybersecurity.
Table of Contents
Overview of the Cyber Security Profession
Cyber security is an important career field in information technology. With the increasing advancement in technology in the world and the cyber crimes that come with it, these security analysts are given much more responsibilities to handle on a daily basis.
As a result, they command hefty pay. Cyber-security specialists earn well over $100,000 per year and are one of the best-paid professionals in information technology.
The BLS statistic predicts that the field is on course to grow by 33 percent (much faster than average) in the U.S. from 2020 to 2030.
Security analysts are known to work in several fields including the banking industry, anti-fraud units, the military, and armed forces, police departments, intelligence units, technology companies, and many more. It is easy to see why anybody would want to become a cybersecurity analyst.
List of 20 Best Colleges for CyberSecurity
The following are the 20 best colleges for Cyber Security in the U.S., according to U.S. News and Report:
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- University of California, Berkeley
- Georgia Institute of Technology
- Stanford University
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Cornell University
- Purdue University – West Lafayette
- University of Maryland, College Park
- University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
- University of Washington
- University of California, San Diego
- Columbia University
- George Mason University
- John Hopkins University
- Northeastern University
- Texas A & M University
- The University of Texas at Austin
- The University of Texas at San Antonio
- California Institute of Technology.
20 Best Colleges for CyberSecurity
1. Carnegie Mellon University
About the school: Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) is a world-renowned school with a great reputation for computer science and cyber security. The school has also been ranked as the third-best university in the world for computer science (in general) by QS World University Rankings, which is no small feat.
About the program: CMU also has an impressive number of research papers on cyber-information security—more than any other US institution—and hosts one of the largest computer science departments in the country, with over 600 students currently studying various computing disciplines.
It’s safe to say that if you want to study cyber security at CMU, you won’t be alone. CMU has courses specifically designed around this important topic area and offers several dual degrees that would allow students interested in pursuing careers in other areas.
Other cybersecurity-related programs at CMU include:
- Artificial Intelligence Engineering
- Information Networking
- Cyber Ops Certificate program
- Cyber Forensics and Incident Response Track
- Cyber Defense program, etc
Tuition fee: $52,100 per year.
2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
About the school: MIT is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It employs about 1,000 full-time faculty members and more than 11,000 part-time instructors and support staff.
MIT is one of the most prestigious universities in the world; it’s consistently ranked as one of the top five schools in the United States and among the top ten in Europe by various publications including Times Higher Education World University Rankings and QS World University Rankings.
About the program: MIT, in collaboration with Emeritus, offers one of the most corrosive professional cybersecurity programs in the world. The MIT xPro program is a cyber security program that provides foundational knowledge in information security to those who are looking to switch careers or those who are at the beginner level.
The program is offered completely online and on a rolling basis; the next batch is scheduled to start on November 30, 2022. The program lasts for 24 weeks after which a globally-recognized certificate is awarded to successful students.
Tuition fee: $6,730 – $6,854 (program fee).
3. The University of California, Berkeley (UCB)
About the school: UC Berkeley is one of the best colleges for cyber security, and it’s arguably the most selective college in the world.
About the program: UC Berkeley is known to offer some of the best online cybersecurity programs in the United States. Its flagship program is the Master of Informatics and Cybersecurity. It is a program that is suitable for anyone keen on learning the frameworks of internet data privacy, and its governing ethical and legal practices.
Tuition fee: Estimated at $272 per credit.
4. Georgia Institute of Technology
About the school: Georgia Institute of Technology is a public research university located in Atlanta, Georgia. The institute was founded in 1885 as the Georgia School of Technology as part of Reconstruction plans to build an industrial economy in the post-Civil War Southern United States.
It initially offered only a degree in mechanical engineering. By 1901, its curriculum had expanded to include electrical, civil, and chemical engineering.
About the program: George Tech offers a master’s program in cybersecurity that caters to the limited number of programs in Georgia that help professionals bridge their working knowledge in their careers.
Tuition fee: $9,920 + fees.
5. Stanford University
About the school: Stanford University is a private research university in Stanford, California. It was founded in 1885 by Leland and Jane Stanford, and dedicated to Leland Stanford Junior.
Stanford’s academic strength derives from its highly-ranked graduate programs and world-class research facilities. It is widely ranked as one of the best universities in the world by multiple publications.
About the program: Stanford offers an online, fast-paced cybersecurity program that leads to a Certificate of Achievement. In this program, you can learn from anywhere in the world. The program with experienced tutors who will guide you down the path of advanced cybersecurity.
Tuition fee: $2,925.
6. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
About the school: Located in Champaign, Illinois, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a public research university with over 44,000 students. The student-to-faculty ratio is 18:1, and there are over 200 majors available to undergraduate students.
It is also home to several well-known research institutions such as the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology and the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA).
About the program: The university offers a tuition-free cybersecurity program to qualified students who want to pursue a career as a security professional.
The program, known as the “Illinois Cyber Security Scholars Program,” dubbed ICSSP, is a two-year curriculum that will provide students with a fast-track pathway to enter the cybersecurity ecosphere, in a bid to combat the increasing cybercrime rate.
However, students who wish to apply to this program will be required to:
- Be full-time undergraduate or graduate students at Urbana-Campaign.
- Be a College of Engineering student.
- Be citizens of the U.S. or permanent residents.
- Be within 4 semesters of completing your degree.
- Transfer students who wish to apply to the ICSSP will be required to be admitted to the College of Engineering department at Urbana-Champaign.
Tuition fee: Free for successful applicants of the ICSSP program.
7. Cornell University
About the school: Cornell University is a private Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York. Cornell is known for its programs in engineering, business, as well as its undergraduate and graduate programs.
About the program: One of the top-rated programs offered at Cornell University is the cybersecurity program. The school provides an opportunity for prospective students to study in a certificate program that can be completed online.
This program is a highly-detailed one; it covers topics ranging from systems security, and machine and human authentication, as well as enforcement mechanisms and strategies.
Tuition fee: $62,456.
8. Purdue University – West Lafayette
About the school: Purdue is one of the top universities in the world for computer science and informatics. As a computer science student at Purdue, you will have access to the school’s extensive cybersecurity resources.
About the program: The school’s Cyber Discovery program is an immersive experience for undergraduate students who want to gain hands-on experience in cybersecurity. Students can also join one of the several student organizations in which they can network with other professionals and learn more about the field.
The university is home to a large number of research centers dedicated to various aspects of cyber security, including:
- Cyber Technology and Information Security Laboratory
- Security & Privacy Research Lab
Tuition fee: $629.83 per credit (Indiana residents); $1,413.25 per credit (non-Indiana residents).
9. University of Maryland, College Park
About the school: The University of Maryland, College Park is a public research university in College Park, Maryland. The university was chartered in 1856 and is the flagship institution of the University System of Maryland.
About the program: Like many other cybersecurity programs on this list, the University of Maryland also offers a certificate degree in cybersecurity that can be completed online.
However, this is an advanced program that is suitable for beginners. This is because the program requires its participants to possess at least one of the following certifications:
- Certified Ethical Hacker
- GIAC GSEC
- CompTIA Security+
Tuition fee: $817.50 per credit.
10. University of Michigan-Dearborn
About the school: The University of Michigan-Dearborn is a public research university in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It was founded as the Catholepistemiad, or the University of Michigania, and renamed the University of Michigan when it moved to Dearborn.
About the program: The school offers a Master of Science in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance through its College of Engineering and Computer Science.
This program was created as a counterintuitive method initiated by the school to fight back against the rampaging effect of cybercrimes happening in the world. It is an advanced program for those who are already familiar with cyber security terms.
Tuition fee: Estimated at $23,190.
11. University of Washington
About the school: The University of Washington is a public research university in Seattle, Washington. It was established in 1861 and its current enrollment is more than 43,000 students.
About the program: The university offers numerous undergraduate and graduate programs related to cyber security, including Information Assurance and Security Engineering (IASE). Other notable graduate-level programs include:
- Master’s Degree Program in Cybersecurity (UW Bothell) – This program gives computer science students an opportunity to earn their master’s degree while completing their undergraduate requirements or vice versa.
- Certificate Program in Cybersecurity – This program is suitable for those who are looking for a fast-paced cybersecurity program that can be taken from anywhere in the world.
Tuition fee: $3,999 (certificate program).
12. University of California, San Diego
About the school: UC San Diego is one of three universities that have been awarded the National Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) certification by the National Security Agency for its Department of Computer Science and Engineering’s undergraduate program. It remains one of America’s finest computer science schools.
About the program: UC San Diego offers a concise cybersecurity program for professionals. Its Master of Science in CyberSecurity Engineering program is an advanced cybersecurity course that is completed online or on the school’s campus.
Tuition fee: $925 per credit.
13. Columbia University
About the school: Columbia University is a private Ivy League research university in New York City. It is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country’s nine Colonial Colleges.
It is one of America’s most prestigious universities that offers an impressive array of degree programs including engineering sciences; biological sciences; health sciences; physical science (including physics); business administration; computer science; law; social work nursing science and others.
About the program: Columbia University, through its Engineering department, offers a 24-week cybersecurity Bootcamp that is completed 100% online. This is a program that can be taken by anyone, regardless of experience or whether or not you are enrolled in Columbia University; as long as you are eager to learn, you can enroll in this program.
Like cybersecurity, Columbia University also offers similar boot camps for digital marketing, UI/UX Design, Product Design, etc.
Tuition fee: $2,362 per credit.
14. George Mason University
About the school: If you’re interested in studying cybersecurity at George Mason University, you’ll be able to choose from two programs: a Bachelor of Science in Cyber Security Engineering (for undergraduate students) or a Master of Science in Cyber Security Engineering (for graduate students).
The programs are measurably technical and focus on critical thinking skills and leadership abilities.
About the program: The cybersecurity program at GMU includes core courses like systems security, operating systems, data structures, and algorithms. Students will also take elective classes such as privacy law and policy or information assurance.
Tuition fee: $396.25 per credit (Virginia residents); $1,373.75 per credit (non-Virginia residents).
15. John Hopkins University
About the school: Johns Hopkins University is a private research university in Baltimore, Maryland. It was founded in 1876 and is known for its academic programs in the humanities, social sciences, mathematics, and engineering.
About the program: Similar to most other schools on this list, John Hopkins University offers a hybrid Masters in Cybersecurity program that is consistently hailed as one of the best cybersecurity master programs in the world.
The program is offered both online and onsite and is suitable for anyone eager to advance their knowledge in cybersecurity and data privacy practices.
Tuition fee: $49,200.
16. Northeastern University
About the school: Northeastern University is a private research university in Boston, Massachusetts, established in 1898. Northeastern offers 120 undergraduate and graduate programs to over 27,000 students.
About the program: Northeastern also offers a cybersecurity program at its Boston campus where you can earn an online Master’s degree in Cybersecurity which combines IT knowledge from the law, social sciences, criminology, and management.
The program lasts for 2 to 3 years and students who take part in this program can expect to earn real-world experience through capstone projects and numerous co-op opportunities.
Tuition fee: $1,570 per credit.
17. Texas A & M University
About the school: Texas A & M University is a well-known school with a great reputation. It’s also the perfect place to get your cyber security degree if you want to stay close to home.
About the program: The university offers a Cyber Security Certificate program, which provides students with foundational knowledge in cyber security and prepares them for careers in this industry.
Students can also earn their Master of Science in Information Assurance or Information Security and Assurance to become certified as entry-level professionals when it comes to securing networks and conducting penetration testing.
If you’re looking for something even more advanced, Texas A&M offers a Master of Science in Cybersecurity program that teaches students how to design secure software systems from conception through deployment, including new methods of protection against malware attacks and other cyber threats.
Tuition fee: $39,072.
18. The University of Texas at Austin
About the school: Located in Austin, Texas, the University of Texas at Austin is a public research university with a student population of over 51,000 students.
About the program: This school offers a cybersecurity certificate program that aims to educate its students on the best data security practices.
Tuition fee: $9,697
19. The University of Texas at San Antonio
About the school: University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) is a public research university located in San Antonio, Texas. UTSA offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs through its nine colleges.
About the program: UTSA offers a BBA degree in Cyber Security. It is one of the best cyber security programs in the country and can be completed online or in a classroom. The program aims to help students develop a keen eye for digital forensics and solve data privacy issues.
Tuition fee: $450 per credit.
20. California Institute of Technology
About the school: Caltech has been recognized as one of the best universities in the world for its science, math, and engineering programs. The university is known for its leadership in research and innovation.
About the program: Caltech offers a program that prepares IT professionals to combat the security issues and threats that are antagonizing businesses today. The Cyber Security program at Caltech is an online Bootcamp suitable for anyone with any level of experience.
Tuition fee: $13,495.
FAQs and Answers
What is the best school to study cyber security?
The best school in the United States for a cyber security program is Carnegie Mellon University, tieing with MIT Cambridge. These are the best cyber security schools.
What is the difference between a computer science degree and a cyber security degree?
There are many similarities between computer science degrees and cyber security degrees but there are also some key differences. Some programs combine elements from both disciplines while others focus on one or the other subject matter area exclusively. Generally speaking, most colleges will offer either a Computer Science major or Cyber Security major but not both.
How do I choose which college is right for me?
When selecting which school will be best suited for your needs you should consider factors such as size, location, and program offerings in addition to tuition costs when making your decision about where to attend college next year.
Is Cyber Security worth it?
Yes, it is; especially if you love tinkering with information technology. SecurityAnalysts are paid a lot of money to do their jobs and they are one of the happiest people in tech.
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Wrapping It Up
Cyber Security is a growing field, and there are many jobs available for those with the right training. Cyber security experts can make more than $100,000 per year depending on their level of education and experience. It’s no wonder that so many students want to study this subject!
If you want to be prepared for this high-demand career path, choosing one of the schools on our list will help ensure your success. We hope this article helped you find some new options when considering where best fits your needs as well as interests.