Senior cyber security analyst education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a senior cyber security analyst. Senior cyber security analysts usually study computer information systems, computer science, or information technology. 61% of senior cyber security analysts hold a bachelor's degree, and 18% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 179 real senior cyber security analyst resumes to see exactly what senior cyber security analyst education sections show.

The most common colleges for senior cyber security analysts are the George Mason University and the George Mason University.

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

There are certain senior cyber security analyst certifications that you should consider. These senior cyber security analyst certifications include Certified Information Systems Security Professional - Architecture (CISSP) and Security 5 Certification.

What education do you need to become a senior cyber security analyst?

What degree do you need to be a senior cyber security analyst?

The most common degree for senior cyber security analysts is bachelor's degree, with 61% of senior cyber security analysts earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 18% and associate degree degree at 13%.

Bachelor's, 61%

Associate, 18%

Master's, 13%

Doctorate, 3%

Other Degrees, 5%

What should I major in to become a senior cyber security analyst?

You should major in computer information systems to become a senior cyber security analyst. 13% of senior cyber security analysts major in computer information systems. Other common majors for a senior cyber security analyst include computer science and information technology.

Computer Information Systems, 13%

Computer Science, 13%

Information Technology, 11%

Business, 10%

Other Majors, 53%

Most common colleges for senior cyber security analysts

Senior cyber security analysts often get their degrees at George Mason University, Strayer University, and University of Phoenix. Here are the most common colleges for senior cyber security analysts in the US based on their resumes.

Senior cyber security analyst common college	Percentages
George Mason University	14.81%
Strayer University	14.81%
University of Phoenix	12.96%
American InterContinental University	7.41%
University of Maryland - College Park	5.56%

Show more common senior cyber security analyst colleges

Best majors for senior cyber security analysts

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Computer Information Systems	13.2%
2	Computer Science	13.2%
3	Information Technology	11.4%
4	Business	9.6%
5	Computer Networking	7.9%

Show more common senior cyber security analyst majors

Best colleges for senior cyber security analysts

The best colleges for senior cyber security analysts are University of Tulsa, Syracuse University, and SUNY at Binghamton.

A senior cyber 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 senior cyber 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 senior cyber security analysts.

1. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Enrollment

18,946

2. University of Chicago

Chicago, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$58,230

Enrollment

6,600

3. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Enrollment

9,142

4. University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$10,610

Enrollment

40,329

5. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Enrollment

31,503

6. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Enrollment

1,834

7. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,522

Enrollment

13,760

8. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,808

Enrollment

13,990

9. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

10. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Enrollment

32,072

20 best online courses for senior cyber security analysts

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Top 10 most affordable universities for senior cyber security analysts

The most affordable schools for senior cyber security analysts are SUNY Farmingdale, brigham young university, and usf sarasota-manatee.

If the best universities for senior cyber 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 senior cyber security analysts.

1. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

2. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

3. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

4. Clayton State University

Morrow, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$5,419

Cost of attendance

17,697

5. John Jay College of Criminal Justice of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,270

Cost of attendance

14,177

6. Minot State University

Minot, ND • Private

In-state tuition

$7,064

Cost of attendance

15,576

7. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

8. Southern University at New Orleans

New Orleans, LA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,033

Cost of attendance

12,702

9. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,238

Cost of attendance

21,567

10. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for senior cyber security analysts

The hardest universities for senior cyber security analysts to get into are University of Tulsa, Syracuse University, and SUNY at Binghamton.

Some great schools for senior cyber 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 senior cyber 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 Tulsa

Tulsa, OK • Private

Admissions rate

41%

SAT average

1,321

2. Syracuse University

Syracuse, NY • Private

Admissions rate

50%

SAT average

1,284

3. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

Admissions rate

40%

SAT average

1,376

4. Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

58%

SAT average

1,304

5. University of Denver

Denver, CO • Private

Admissions rate

56%

SAT average

1,300

6. University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

59%

SAT average

1,367

7. American University

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

32%

SAT average

1,320

8. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

9. Boston College

Chestnut Hill, MA • Private

Admissions rate

28%

SAT average

1,429

10. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for senior cyber security analysts

The easiest schools for senior cyber security analysts to get into are Nyack College, university of north texas at dallas, and la roche college.

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

1. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

2. University of North Texas at Dallas

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

992

3. La Roche College

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

99%

SAT average

1,008

4. Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Standish, ME • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,069

5. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

6. Saint Martin's University

Lacey, WA • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,111

7. Albertus Magnus College

New Haven, CT • Private

Admissions rate

58%

SAT average

931

8. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

9. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

10. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

Average senior cyber security analyst salary by education level

Senior cyber security analysts with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $98,830 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, senior cyber security analysts earn a median annual income of $91,493 compared to $80,280 for senior cyber security analysts with an Associate degree.

Senior cyber security analyst education level	Senior cyber security analyst salary
Master's Degree	$98,830
Bachelor's Degree	$91,493
Some College/ Associate Degree	$80,280

Senior cyber security analyst education FAQs

What is the best college for Senior Cyber Security Analysts?

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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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