Cyber security specialist education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a cyber security specialist. Cyber security specialists usually study computer science, computer information systems, or information technology. 56% of cyber security specialists hold a bachelor's degree, and 23% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 335 real cyber security specialist resumes to see exactly what cyber security specialist education sections show.

The most common colleges for cyber security specialists are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

There are also many online cyber security specialist courses to help get the education required to be a cyber security specialist.

There are certain cyber security specialist certifications that you should consider. These cyber security specialist certifications include Security 5 Certification and Certified Information Security Manager (CISM).

What education do you need to become a cyber security specialist?

What degree do you need to be a cyber security specialist?

The most common degree for cyber security specialists is bachelor's degree, with 56% of cyber security specialists earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 23% and associate degree degree at 14%.

Bachelor's, 56%

Associate, 23%

Master's, 14%

High School Diploma, 4%

Other Degrees, 3%

What should I major in to become a cyber security specialist?

You should major in computer science to become a cyber security specialist. 14% of cyber security specialists major in computer science. Other common majors for a cyber security specialist include computer information systems and information technology.

Computer Science, 14%

Computer Information Systems, 12%

Information Technology, 10%

Criminal Justice, 9%

Other Majors, 55%

Most common colleges for cyber security specialists

Cyber security specialists often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, Strayer University, and The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga. Here are the most common colleges for cyber security specialists in the US based on their resumes.

Cyber security specialist common college	Percentages
University of Phoenix	13.21%
Strayer University	9.43%
The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga	5.66%
American University	5.66%
Park University	5.66%

Show more common cyber security specialist colleges

Best majors for cyber security specialists

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Computer Science	14.0%
2	Computer Information Systems	12.0%
3	Information Technology	10.0%
4	Criminal Justice	8.5%
5	Computer Systems Security	7.5%

Show more common cyber security specialist majors

Best colleges for cyber security specialists

The best colleges for cyber security specialists are Boston University, Carnegie Mellon University, and George Washington University, The.

A cyber security specialist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for cyber security specialists. 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 cyber security specialists.

1. North Carolina State University

Raleigh, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$9,101

Enrollment

23,708

2. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

3. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Ponce

Mercedita, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,914

Enrollment

4,155

4. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon

Bayamon, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,940

Enrollment

4,169

5. Minnesota State University - Mankato

Mankato, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$8,184

Enrollment

11,675

6. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Barranquitas

Barranquitas, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,902

Enrollment

1,513

7. University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$19,080

Enrollment

19,127

8. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,230

Enrollment

12,161

9. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Aguadilla

Aguadilla, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,902

Enrollment

3,622

10. Saint Ambrose University

Davenport, IA • Private

In-state tuition

$30,894

Enrollment

2,289

20 best online courses for cyber security specialists

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4. Information Security Fundamentals - Cyber Security Bootcamp

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A Beginners Awareness Guide on Information Security & Cyber Security to Keep Online and Offline Devices Safe!...

5. Intro to Cybersecurity

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7. The Complete Cyber Security Course: Network Security!

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Volume 2 : Network Security, Wi Fi Security, Wi Fi Hackers, Firewalls, Wireshark, Secure Networking. + Password Managers...

8. Introduction to Cyber Security

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Learn the basic and vital components of Cyber Security & Cyberspace. In this course you learn cyber security components!...

9. 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...

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Volume 4 :Become a Cyber Security Specialist, Antivirus & Malware, Disk Encryption, Finding & Removing Hackers & Malware...

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20. Learn Cyber Security From Scratch

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Top 10 most affordable universities for cyber security specialists

The most affordable schools for cyber security specialists are California State University - Bakersfield, brigham young university, and california state university - long beach.

If the best universities for cyber security specialists 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 cyber security specialists.

1. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

2. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

3. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

4. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

5. Clayton State University

Morrow, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$5,419

Cost of attendance

17,697

6. California State University - Fullerton

Fullerton, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,886

Cost of attendance

17,645

7. University of Houston - Victoria

Victoria, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$6,491

Cost of attendance

19,075

8. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

9. California State University - East Bay

Hayward, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,983

Cost of attendance

21,371

10. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for cyber security specialists

The hardest universities for cyber security specialists to get into are Boston University, Carnegie Mellon University, and George Washington University, The.

Some great schools for cyber security specialists 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 cyber security specialists 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. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

3. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,380

4. Boston College

Chestnut Hill, MA • Private

Admissions rate

28%

SAT average

1,429

5. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

6. University of Tulsa

Tulsa, OK • Private

Admissions rate

41%

SAT average

1,321

7. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,492

8. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

Admissions rate

40%

SAT average

1,376

9. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

10. American University

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

32%

SAT average

1,320

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for cyber security specialists

The easiest schools for cyber security specialists to get into are Nyack College, la roche college, and kean university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a cyber security specialist 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 cyber security specialists.

1. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

2. La Roche College

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

99%

SAT average

1,008

3. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

4. Saint Martin's University

Lacey, WA • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,111

5. Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,035

6. San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,054

7. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

Winona, MN • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,148

8. Saint Thomas University

Miami Gardens, FL • Private

Admissions rate

52%

SAT average

1,031

9. Saint Xavier University

Chicago, IL • Private

Admissions rate

74%

SAT average

1,061

10. Iona College

New Rochelle, NY • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,089

Average cyber security specialist salary by education level

Cyber security specialists with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $102,065 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, cyber security specialists earn a median annual income of $93,788 compared to $81,263 for cyber security specialists with an Associate degree.

Cyber security specialist education level	Cyber security specialist salary
Master's Degree	$102,065
Bachelor's Degree	$93,788
Some College/ Associate Degree	$81,263

Cyber security specialist education FAQs

What is the best college for Cyber Security Specialists?

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Search for cyber security specialist jobs

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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