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Network security analyst education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a network security analyst. Network security analysts usually study computer science, computer information systems, or information technology. 62% of network security analysts hold a bachelor's degree, and 22% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 873 real network security analyst resumes to see exactly what network security analyst education sections show.
The most common colleges for network security analysts are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online network security analyst courses to help get the education required to be a network security analyst.
There are certain network security analyst certifications that you should consider. These network security analyst certifications include Security 5 Certification and Certified Information Systems Security Professional - Architecture (CISSP).
What education do you need to become a network security analyst?
What degree do you need to be a network security analyst?
- Bachelor's, 62%
- Associate, 22%
- Master's, 11%
- High School Diploma, 2%
- Other Degrees, 3%
What should I major in to become a network security analyst?
- Computer Science, 16%
- Business, 8%
- Other Majors, 51%
Most common colleges for network security analysts
| Network security analyst common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 16.41% |
| Strayer University | 10.94% |
| DeVry University | 10.16% |
| George Mason University | 8.59% |
| University of Maryland - College Park | 7.81% |
Best majors for network security analysts
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Computer Science | 16.4% |
| 2 | Computer Information Systems | 13.4% |
| 3 | Information Technology | 11.9% |
| 4 | Business | 7.8% |
| 5 | Computer Networking | 7.1% |
Best colleges for network security analysts
The best colleges for network security analysts are University of Pennsylvania, Carnegie Mellon University, and Stanford University.
A network security analyst with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for network security analysts. 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 network security analysts.
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. University of California, Irvine
Irvine, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$13,700
Enrollment
29,722
5. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
6. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
7. North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$9,101
Enrollment
23,708
8. Stevens Institute of Technology
Hoboken, NJ • Private
In-state tuition
$52,202
Enrollment
3,420
9. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$14,760
Enrollment
31,451
10. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Troy, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$53,880
Enrollment
6,590
20 best online courses for network security analysts
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4. 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...
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9. Network Security Support Fundamentals
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15. Networks and Communications Security
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17. Cybersecurity of Networks from Scratch to Advanced
Computer Networks Security Technologies and Tools for Network Admins and Cyber Security Officers...
18. Cybersecurity for Business Leaders
Learn to leverage the capabilities of cybersecurity best practices to protect your organization and unlock next-level results...
19. Zero Trust Security
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20. Network Security Auditing with nmap
Learn to perform network security scanning with nmap in the right way...
Top 10 most affordable universities for network security analysts
The most affordable schools for network security analysts are Brooklyn College of the City University of New York, hunter college of the city university of new york, and clayton state university.
If the best universities for network security analysts 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 network security analysts.
1. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
2. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
3. Clayton State University
Morrow, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$5,419
Cost of attendance
17,697
4. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
5. California State University - East Bay
Hayward, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,983
Cost of attendance
21,371
6. Queens College of the City University of New York
Queens, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,338
Cost of attendance
14,281
7. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Ponce
Mercedita, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,914
Cost of attendance
13,564
8. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon
Bayamon, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,940
Cost of attendance
13,508
9. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Cost of attendance
22,430
10. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Barranquitas
Barranquitas, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,902
Cost of attendance
13,479
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for network security analysts
The hardest universities for network security analysts to get into are University of Pennsylvania, Carnegie Mellon University, and Stanford University.
Some great schools for network security analysts 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 network security analysts 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. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
4. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
5. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
6. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
7. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
8. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
9. Stevens Institute of Technology
Hoboken, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
41%
SAT average
1,412
10. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Troy, NY • Private
Admissions rate
43%
SAT average
1,415
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for network security analysts
The easiest schools for network security analysts to get into are Saint Martin's University, nyack college, and oklahoma wesleyan university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a network security analyst 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 network security analysts.
1. Saint Martin's University
Lacey, WA • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,111
2. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
3. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
4. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
5. Linfield College
McMinnville, OR • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
1,117
6. La Roche College
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
99%
SAT average
1,008
7. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
8. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Winona, MN • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,148
9. Capitol Technology University
Laurel, MD • Private
Admissions rate
69%
SAT average
1,070
10. Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee, WI • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,035
Average network security analyst salary by education level
| Network security analyst education level | Network security analyst salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $88,848 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $81,951 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $71,462 |
Network security analyst education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025