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Data security administrator education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a data security administrator. Data security administrators usually study business, computer information systems, or information technology. 62% of data security administrators hold a bachelor's degree, and 22% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 281 real data security administrator resumes to see exactly what data security administrator education sections show.
The most common colleges for data security administrators are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online data security administrator courses to help get the education required to be a data security administrator.
What education do you need to become a data security administrator?
What degree do you need to be a data security administrator?
- Bachelor's, 62%
- Associate, 22%
- Master's, 10%
- Diploma, 3%
- Other Degrees, 3%
What should I major in to become a data security administrator?
- Business, 26%
- Accounting, 6%
- Other Majors, 48%
Most common colleges for data security administrators
| Data security administrator common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 12.82% |
| American InterContinental University | 10.26% |
| La Salle University | 7.69% |
| Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania | 5.13% |
| Friends University | 5.13% |
Best majors for data security administrators
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business | 26.4% |
| 2 | Computer Information Systems | 10.4% |
| 3 | Information Technology | 10.4% |
| 4 | Accounting | 6.3% |
| 5 | Computer Science | 6.3% |
Best colleges for data security administrators
The best colleges for data security administrators are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
A data security administrator with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for data security administrators. 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 data security administrators.
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 data security administrators
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1. Managing Network Security
Almost every organization uses computer networks to share their information and to support their business operations. When we allow network access to data it is exposed to threats from inside and outside of the organization. This course examines the threats associated with using internal and external networks and how to manage the protection of information when it’s accessible via networks. In this course, a learner will be able to: ● Describe the threats to data from information communication...
2. Data Security
If you are an associate-level cybersecurity analyst who is working in security operation centers, this course will help you explore data type categories in context to network security analytics. By the end of the course, you will be able to: • Explain the data that is available to the network security analysis •Describe the various types of data used in monitoring network security • Describe the deployment and use of SIEMs to collect, sort, process, prioritize, store, and report alarms •...
3. SAP Security Administration
SAP Security and Auditing...
4. AWS Security and Governance Administration for Professionals
In-Depth AWS Security Administration and Governance: Learn hands-on with certified industry professionals...
5. Security Awareness Training
The security of an organization is of the utmost importance and every member of the organization's staff plays a vital role in defending against cyber threats. One of the best ways to protect the organization is to institute a company-wide security-awareness training initiative. This course is a complete foundational security awareness training program that covers a wide array of topics for nearly every type of end-user and learner level. The content is designed to allow organizations to be...
6. Information Security Fundamentals - Cyber Security Bootcamp
A Beginners Awareness Guide on Information Security & Cyber Security to Keep Online and Offline Devices Safe!...
7. Certified Information Systems Security Officer (CISSO)
Certified Information Systems Security Officer (CISSO) Certification Exam Prep Course...
8. Information Security Basics for IT Support Technicians
Learn the basics of information security and what you need to know to be compliant with data protection regulations...
9. Linux Security and Hardening, The Practical Security Guide.
Secure any Linux server from hackers & protect it against hacking. The practical Linux Administration security guide...
10. Information Systems Security for Professionals: CISSP
Making Next Gen Information Security Leaders...
11. ISO/IEC 27002:2022. Information security controls
Learn about the comprehensive set of information security controls proposed by ISO/IEC 27002:2022...
12. SC-300: Microsoft Identity and Access Administrator
Learn everything about identity & security - The right way...
13. Windows Server 2019: Active Directory, GPO, R. Server Access
Training For Beginners - Become a Network Administrator in Microsoft Windows Server 2019 with Remote Server Access!...
14. Cyber Security Guidelines for Organizational Users
ISO 27001 Cyber Security Guidelines to stay Safe & Secure online for Users in Office, Working-From-Home or Roaming Users...
15. Cyber Security Fundamentals in Bangla
Learn Personal Data Security Basics...
16. CCIE Security v5 by Khawar Butt
CCIE Security Lab Bootcamp...
17. Information Security Management Fundamentals for Non-Techies
Learn the Fundamentals of Information Security Management for Non-Techies...
18. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)...
19. Automotive Cyber Security
A learners Guide: Covers Automotive Security, Concepts of Security and many more...
20. Information Security Fundamentals
The very basics of Info Sec...
Top 10 most affordable universities for data security administrators
The most affordable schools for data security administrators are SUNY Farmingdale, california state university - bakersfield, and baruch college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for data security administrators 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 data security administrators.
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 data security administrators
The hardest universities for data security administrators to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
Some great schools for data security administrators 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 data security administrators 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 data security administrators
The easiest schools for data security administrators 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 data security administrator 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 data security administrators.
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 data security administrator salary by education level
| Data security administrator education level | Data security administrator salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $82,743 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $71,846 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $79,975 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $72,735 |
Data security administrator education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025