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Certified information systems security professional education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
5 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a certified information systems security professional. Certified information systems security professionals usually study computer information systems, information systems, or business. 54% of certified information systems security professionals hold a bachelor's degree, and 21% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 66 real certified information systems security professional resumes to see exactly what certified information systems security professional education sections show.
The most common colleges for certified information systems security professionals are the Pennsylvania State University and the Pennsylvania State University.
There are also many online certified information systems security professional courses to help get the education required to be a certified information systems security professional.
There are certain certified information systems security professional certifications that you should consider. These certified information systems security professional certifications include Certified Information Systems Security Professional - Architecture (CISSP) and Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).
What education do you need to become a certified information systems security professional?
What degree do you need to be a certified information systems security professional?
- Bachelor's, 54%
- Master's, 21%
- Associate, 21%
- Diploma, 2%
- Other Degrees, 2%
What should I major in to become a certified information systems security professional?
- Business, 9%
- Criminal Justice, 9%
- Other Majors, 62%
Most common colleges for certified information systems security professionals
| Certified information systems security professional common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Pennsylvania State University | 11.54% |
| University of Maryland - College Park | 11.54% |
| Kent State University | 7.69% |
| Davenport University | 7.69% |
| Florida Institute of Technology | 3.85% |
Best majors for certified information systems security professionals
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Computer Information Systems | 11.1% |
| 2 | Information Systems | 8.9% |
| 3 | Business | 8.9% |
| 4 | Criminal Justice | 8.9% |
| 5 | Information Technology | 8.9% |
Best colleges for certified information systems security professionals
The best colleges for certified information systems security professionals are Boston University, George Washington University, The, and Boston College.
A certified information systems security professional with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for certified information systems security professionals. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become certified information systems security professionals.
1. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,207
Enrollment
30,905
2. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
3. Minnesota State University - Mankato
Mankato, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$8,184
Enrollment
11,675
4. University of Illinois at Springfield
Springfield, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$11,813
Enrollment
2,704
5. University of St. Francis
Joliet, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$32,320
Enrollment
1,590
6. Governors State University
University Park, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$12,196
Enrollment
3,225
7. Metropolitan State University
Saint Paul, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$7,879
Enrollment
6,768
8. University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$19,080
Enrollment
19,127
9. George Washington University, The
Washington, DC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,230
Enrollment
12,161
10. Hampton University
Hampton, VA • Private
In-state tuition
$26,702
Enrollment
3,661
20 best online courses for certified information systems security professionals
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3. Certified Information Systems Security Officer (CISSO)
Certified Information Systems Security Officer (CISSO) Certification Exam Prep Course...
4. Information Systems Security for Professionals: CISSP
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5. Intro to Cybersecurity
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6. Security Analyst
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7. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)...
8. Certified Information Systems Security Professional CISSP
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9. Security Architect
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11. Information Security Fundamentals - Cyber Security Bootcamp
A Beginners Awareness Guide on Information Security & Cyber Security to Keep Online and Offline Devices Safe!...
12. Certified Healthcare InfoSys Security Practitioner (CHISSP)
Certified Healthcare Information Systems Security Practitioner (CHISSP)...
13. Cybersecurity for Business Leaders
Learn to leverage the capabilities of cybersecurity best practices to protect your organization and unlock next-level results...
14. Zero Trust Security
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15. ISACA CISM Certified Information Security Manager
One of the highest paid certifications! Become a Certified Information Security Manager!...
16. Certified Wireless Security Professional (CWSP)
Certified Wireless Security Professional (CWSP)...
17. Introduction to the CISSP Security Certification
Introduction to the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) Certification for 2021...
18. The Complete Cyber Security Course: Network Security!
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19. ISO/IEC 27001:2022. Information Security Management System
Learn how your company can protect its information with an ISMS that meets the requirements of ISO/IEC 27001...
20. [2023] Information Security A-Z™: Cyber Security Bootcamp
Become an expert in ISO/IEC 27001, Risk Management, Cryptography, Cyber Forensics, Malware & clear your Interview!...
Top 10 most affordable universities for certified information systems security professionals
The most affordable schools for certified information systems security professionals are Brigham Young University, california state university - bakersfield, and florida international university.
If the best universities for certified information systems security professionals are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for certified information systems security professionals.
1. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
2. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
3. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
4. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
5. John Jay College of Criminal Justice of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,270
Cost of attendance
14,177
6. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
7. Metropolitan State University
Saint Paul, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$7,879
Cost of attendance
21,223
8. Clayton State University
Morrow, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$5,419
Cost of attendance
17,697
9. California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Cost of attendance
17,645
10. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,207
Cost of attendance
25,275
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for certified information systems security professionals
The hardest universities for certified information systems security professionals to get into are Boston University, George Washington University, The, and Boston College.
Some great schools for certified information systems security professionals are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for certified information systems security professionals based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
2. George Washington University, The
Washington, DC • Private
Admissions rate
42%
SAT average
1,380
3. Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA • Private
Admissions rate
28%
SAT average
1,429
4. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
5. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
6. University of Tulsa
Tulsa, OK • Private
Admissions rate
41%
SAT average
1,321
7. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
8. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
Admissions rate
49%
SAT average
1,347
9. Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX • Private
Admissions rate
51%
SAT average
1,395
10. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
Admissions rate
40%
SAT average
1,376
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for certified information systems security professionals
The easiest schools for certified information systems security professionals to get into are Wayland Baptist University, nyack college, and university of maine at fort kent.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a certified information systems security professional without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for certified information systems security professionals.
1. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
2. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
3. University of Maine at Fort Kent
Fort Kent, ME • Private
Admissions rate
95%
SAT average
1,005
4. La Roche College
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
99%
SAT average
1,008
5. Ottawa University
Ottawa, KS • Private
Admissions rate
78%
SAT average
1,024
6. Saint Martin's University
Lacey, WA • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,111
7. Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee, WI • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,035
8. Our Lady of the Lake University
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,002
9. Saint Thomas University
Miami Gardens, FL • Private
Admissions rate
52%
SAT average
1,031
10. Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, MN • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
1,086
Average certified information systems security professional salary by education level
| Certified information systems security professional education level | Certified information systems security professional salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $111,969 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $103,399 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $90,346 |
Certified information systems security professional education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025