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Internet security specialist education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
There are several educational requirements to become an internet security specialist. Internet security specialists usually study business, communication, or computer networking. 68% of internet security specialists hold a bachelor's degree, and 13% hold an diploma. We analyzed 49 real internet security specialist resumes to see exactly what internet security specialist education sections show.
The most common colleges for internet security specialists are the CNI College and the CNI College.
There are also many online internet security specialist courses to help get the education required to be an internet security specialist.
What education do you need to become an internet security specialist?
What degree do you need to be an internet security specialist?
- Bachelor's, 68%
- Diploma, 13%
- Associate, 13%
- High School Diploma, 3%
- Other Degrees, 3%
What should I major in to become an internet security specialist?
- Business, 11%
- Communication, 11%
- Computer Networking, 11%
- Other Majors, 56%
Most common colleges for internet security specialists
| Internet security specialist common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| CNI College | 13.04% |
| North Carolina State University | 8.70% |
| Clark University | 8.70% |
| DeVry University | 4.35% |
| University of Washington | 4.35% |
Best majors for internet security specialists
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business | 11.1% |
| 2 | Communication | 11.1% |
| 3 | Computer Networking | 11.1% |
| 4 | Computer Information Systems | 11.1% |
| 5 | Management Information Systems | 5.6% |
Best colleges for internet security specialists
The best colleges for internet security specialists are University of Pennsylvania, Carnegie Mellon University, and Northwestern University.
An internet 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 internet 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 internet security specialists.
1. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
2. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,465
Enrollment
6,483
3. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
4. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
5. North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$9,101
Enrollment
23,708
6. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$14,760
Enrollment
31,451
7. George Washington University, The
Washington, DC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,230
Enrollment
12,161
8. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Ponce
Mercedita, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,914
Enrollment
4,155
9. Minnesota State University - Mankato
Mankato, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$8,184
Enrollment
11,675
10. University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$19,080
Enrollment
19,127
20 best online courses for internet security specialists
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19. Internet and Web Development Fundamentals
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20. Introduction to Fortigate Firewall
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Top 10 most affordable universities for internet security specialists
The most affordable schools for internet security specialists are Brigham Young University, california state university - long beach, and university of puerto rico - mayaguez.
If the best universities for internet 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 internet security specialists.
1. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
2. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
3. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
14,302
4. Clayton State University
Morrow, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$5,419
Cost of attendance
17,697
5. University of Houston - Victoria
Victoria, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$6,491
Cost of attendance
19,075
6. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Cost of attendance
22,430
7. Brigham Young University - Hawaii
Laie, HI • Private
In-state tuition
$5,560
Cost of attendance
18,043
8. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Ponce
Mercedita, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,914
Cost of attendance
13,564
9. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
10. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for internet security specialists
The hardest universities for internet security specialists to get into are University of Pennsylvania, Carnegie Mellon University, and Northwestern University.
Some great schools for internet 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 internet 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. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
2. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
4. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
5. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
6. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
7. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
8. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
9. George Washington University, The
Washington, DC • Private
Admissions rate
42%
SAT average
1,380
10. Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA • Private
Admissions rate
28%
SAT average
1,429
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for internet security specialists
The easiest schools for internet security specialists to get into are Barry University, oklahoma wesleyan university, and la roche college.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an internet 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 internet security specialists.
1. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
2. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
3. La Roche College
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
99%
SAT average
1,008
4. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
5. Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee, WI • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,035
6. Linfield College
McMinnville, OR • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
1,117
7. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Winona, MN • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,148
8. San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,054
9. Iona College
New Rochelle, NY • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,089
10. Saint Xavier University
Chicago, IL • Private
Admissions rate
74%
SAT average
1,061
Average internet security specialist salary by education level
| Internet security specialist education level | Internet security specialist salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $116,855 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $103,195 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $83,590 |
Internet security specialist education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025