Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Cryptologist education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a cryptologist. Cryptologists usually study computer science, business, or criminal justice. 48% of cryptologists hold a bachelor's degree, and 25% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 103 real cryptologist resumes to see exactly what cryptologist education sections show.
The most common colleges for cryptologists are the University of Maryland - College Park and the University of Maryland - College Park.
There are also many online cryptologist courses to help get the education required to be a cryptologist.
What education do you need to become a cryptologist?
What degree do you need to be a cryptologist?
- Bachelor's, 48%
- Associate, 25%
- High School Diploma, 18%
- Master's, 8%
- Other Degrees, 1%
What should I major in to become a cryptologist?
- Computer Science, 12%
- Business, 9%
- Criminal Justice, 9%
- Management, 6%
- Other Majors, 64%
Most common colleges for cryptologists
| Cryptologist common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Maryland - College Park | 13.04% |
| American InterContinental University | 8.70% |
| New York University | 4.35% |
| Kansas State University | 4.35% |
| San Diego Mesa College | 4.35% |
Best majors for cryptologists
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Computer Science | 12.1% |
| 2 | Business | 9.1% |
| 3 | Criminal Justice | 9.1% |
| 4 | Management | 6.1% |
| 5 | Psychology | 6.1% |
Best colleges for cryptologists
The best colleges for cryptologists are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
A cryptologist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for cryptologists. 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 cryptologists.
1. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
2. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
4. Maine Maritime Academy
Castine, ME • Private
In-state tuition
$13,478
Enrollment
979
5. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
6. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Enrollment
9,142
7. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,808
Enrollment
13,990
8. Villanova University
Villanova, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,308
Enrollment
6,819
9. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Enrollment
30,018
10. Bentley University
Waltham, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$49,880
Enrollment
4,177
20 best online courses for cryptologists
Advertising disclosure
1. Ethical Hacker
Meet the growing demand for cybersecurity professionals by gaining the offensive security skills to protect an organization’s computer networks and systems...
2. Security Engineer
Gain the highly sought-after skills to protect an organization’s computer networks and systems from security threats or attacks...
3. Technical Communication
An engineering leader spends a majority of their day interacting with others. Indeed, studies repeatedly point to the impact communication skills have on the ability of managerial leaders to succeed or fail. Too often, individuals move into managerial leadership roles without an awareness of the need to improve in this area. This specialization focuses on skills such as listening, counseling, non-verbals, mentoring, coaching, building trust, providing feedback, writing, and presentation skills...
4. Technical Analysis: Trading Smart With Technical Analysis
Master Real-World Technical Analysis: Revolutionize Your Trading Game & Profit In Stocks, Forex & Crypto!...
5. Technical Analysis MasterClass:Trading By Technical Analysis
Stock Market Technical Analysis Secrets for Forex , Stock Trading , Options , Swing Trading & Day Trading + ASSIGNMENTS...
6. Intro to Cybersecurity
Get your start in the high growth field of Cybersecurity by building foundational skills in how to evaluate, maintain, and monitor the security of computer systems...
7. Security Analyst
Meet the growing demand for cybersecurity professionals by gaining the skills to protect an organization’s computer networks and systems...
8. Technical Writing: How to Write Software Documentation
Learn a proven strategy for writing software docu in Git Hub wiki based on the 12 main principles of technical writing!...
9. Introduction To Technical Writing
How To Write Proper Documentation...
10. Security Architect
Meet the growing demand for security architects and learn the skills required to advance your cybersecurity career. You will master the skills necessary to become a successful security architect. Learn core strategies and implementation elements of security infrastructure design and management at an enterprise level...
11. Enterprise Security
Meet the growing demand for enterprise security engineers and learn the foundational skills of security engineering within an enterprise setting...
12. Technical Writing: How to Write API Software Documentation
A framework for writing software documentation for an API as a technical writer, using Postman or Swagger UI...
13. Technical Report Writing
An interactive course that focuses on practical skills. Taught by a leading Psychologist, University Lecturer & Author...
14. Cybersecurity for Business Leaders
Learn to leverage the capabilities of cybersecurity best practices to protect your organization and unlock next-level results...
15. Zero Trust Security
Companies around the world are facing constant and evolving cyber attacks, so it’s imperative that they find talent with the dynamic skills to address these pressing issues...
16. The Complete Technical Analysis Trading Course (2023)
Technical Analysis A to Z: Elevating Your Financial Trading Game With Proven Day Trading & Stock Trading Strategies...
17. Technical Analysis: Profitable Stock Trading Setups (2023)
Technical Analysis: Mastering Volume Analysis & Profitable Stock Trading Patterns For Superior Financial Trading Results...
18. Master Technical Analysis and Chart reading skills Bundle
Master Technical analysis, Volume analysis, Tracking Big Players and become a Chart analysis expert...
19. Cryptocurrency & Bitcoin: Trading With Technical Analysis
Cryptocurrency Technical Analysis, Day Trading, PT Technical Analysis Trader, Candlestick, Options, Swing Trading, Chart...
20. Advanced Technical Analysis PART1!
Learn the secrets of professional trading from a former stock broker, and make profits investing today!...
Top 10 most affordable universities for cryptologists
The most affordable schools for cryptologists are SUNY Farmingdale, california state university - bakersfield, and baruch college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for cryptologists 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 cryptologists.
1. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
2. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
3. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
4. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
5. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
6. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
7. SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Utica, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,238
Cost of attendance
21,567
8. USF Sarasota-Manatee
Sarasota, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,587
Cost of attendance
13,043
9. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Cost of attendance
22,990
10. Clayton State University
Morrow, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$5,419
Cost of attendance
17,697
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for cryptologists
The hardest universities for cryptologists to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
Some great schools for cryptologists 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 cryptologists 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. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
3. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
4. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
5. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
6. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
7. Villanova University
Villanova, PA • Private
Admissions rate
29%
SAT average
1,407
8. Bentley University
Waltham, MA • Private
Admissions rate
43%
SAT average
1,338
9. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
Admissions rate
40%
SAT average
1,376
10. Brandeis University
Waltham, MA • Private
Admissions rate
31%
SAT average
1,398
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for cryptologists
The easiest schools for cryptologists to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, notre dame de namur university, and holy names university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a cryptologist 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 cryptologists.
1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
2. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
3. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
4. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
5. LIM College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
1,061
6. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
7. Life University
Marietta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
94%
SAT average
979
8. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
9. Presentation College
Aberdeen, SD • Private
Admissions rate
97%
SAT average
1,050
10. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,139
Average cryptologist salary by education level
| Cryptologist education level | Cryptologist salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $86,191 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $69,984 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $49,167 |
Cryptologist education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common computer and mathematical questions.
Search for cryptologist jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025