The best cybersecurity programs offered by schools in the United States. Information includes school locations and rankings, program levels, degrees, and classes included in the curriculum.
Undergraduate cybersecurity programs can be found at many top schools and colleges, including the University of Southern California, Iowa State University, and DePaul University.
Cybersecurity is one of the most essential and fastest-growing fields in the United States. According to Cyberseek, there are nearly 700,000 open cybersecurity jobs. That’s why it’s so important to choose the right college if you want to pursue a career in cyber security.
Many colleges offer degrees in cyber security, but not all of them are created equal. So, how do you decide which school is best for you?
The size of the school. A smaller school may be a better fit if you want more personal attention from your professors. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a more diverse and social environment, a larger school may be a better choice.
These universities have all been ranked by U.S. News & World Report, and each has unique aspects, such as flexible learning options and recognition from government organizations.
The University of Southern California (USC) is one of the top universities in the United States. USC offers excellent undergraduate and graduate programs, but it is also one of the best colleges for cyber security in the country. USC was recently ranked as the number one school for cyber security by Ponemon Institute.
USC offers a variety of programs that are relevant to cyber security.
The university has a Center for Cybersecurity and a Department of Computer Science that both focus on researching and teaching about cyber security. USC also offers an online master’s degree in cyber security, perfect for working professionals who want to continue their education while maintaining their careers. In addition to its excellent programs, USC also has a strong alumni network that can help students find jobs after graduation.
Iowa State University (ISU) is located in Ames, Iowa and is a public university. The school offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs focusing on agriculture and engineering. Iowa State University also has a robust cyber security program, ranked first in the United States by Niche in 2020.
The cyber security program at Iowa State University is one of the most comprehensive. The curriculum covers everything from malware analysis to digital forensics to information assurance.
Students have access to state-of-the-art lab facilities and can participate in research projects with faculty members. Iowa State University is also home to the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA). NCSA operates some of the most powerful supercomputers globally, and students have access to these resources for their research projects.
The National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have designated DePaul University as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education for 2020-2021. DePaul is the only university in Illinois and one of only ten universities nationwide to receive this designation.
The designation is based on the quality of DePaul’s cyber security curriculum and the number of graduates employed in government or industry positions with cyber security responsibilities. The NSA and DHS also recognized DePaul for its research capabilities, faculty expertise and partnerships with businesses and government agencies.
“This designation reaffirms our place as one of the top universities in the country for cyber security education,” said Dr. Michael Lynch, associate professor of computer science and director of DePaul’s Center for Cyber Security Awareness and Research (CCSAR).
School Name | Location | Distinction |
---|---|---|
George Mason University | Fairfax, VA | Ranked #28 on U.S. News & World Report’s 2019 list of most innovative schools |
Northeastern University | Boston, MA | Has received cyber security grants from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and the Office of Naval Research |
Nova Southeastern University | Fort Lauderdale, FL | The Department of Homeland Security and the National Security Agency designated the university as a National Center for Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education |
University at Buffalo | Buffalo, NY | Faculty averages $4.5 million annually in research awards |
University of Houston | Houston, TX | Collaborated with federal agencies, the local government, and local businesses to form the Cyber Security Institute, which offers a certificate program as well as courses to business owners and high school students |
University of Maryland | Adelphi, MD | Offers a cyber security competition team known as the Cyber Padawans |
The University of Texas at San Antonio | San Antonio, TX | Students enrolled at the Institute for Cyber Security can compete in the National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition. |
* Source: U.S. News & World Report