Post job

Senior security architect education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a senior security architect. Senior security architects usually study computer science, business, or computer information systems. 66% of senior security architects hold a bachelor's degree, and 19% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 341 real senior security architect resumes to see exactly what senior security architect education sections show.

The most common colleges for senior security architects are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

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

There are certain senior security architect certifications that you should consider. These senior security architect certifications include Certified Information Systems Security Professional - Architecture (CISSP) and Certified Information Security Manager (CISM).

What education do you need to become a senior security architect?

What degree do you need to be a senior security architect?

The most common degree for senior security architects is bachelor's degree, with 66% of senior security architects earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 19% and master's degree degree at 7%.
  • Bachelor's, 66%
  • Master's, 19%
  • Associate, 7%
  • Doctorate, 5%
  • Other Degrees, 3%

What should I major in to become a senior security architect?

You should major in computer science to become a senior security architect. 26% of senior security architects major in computer science. Other common majors for a senior security architect include business and computer information systems.

Most common colleges for senior security architects

Senior security architects often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, Johns Hopkins University, and National University. Here are the most common colleges for senior security architects in the US based on their resumes.
Senior security architect common collegePercentages
University of Phoenix16.67%
Johns Hopkins University7.41%
National University5.56%
Stanford University5.56%
George Washington University, The5.56%

Best majors for senior security architects

Best colleges for senior security architects

The best colleges for senior security architects are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.

A senior security architect 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 security architects. 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 security architects.

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. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

5. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Enrollment

9,142

6. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,808

Enrollment

13,990

7. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

8. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

9. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

10. Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Worcester, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,530

Enrollment

4,571

20 best online courses for senior security architects

Advertising disclosure

1. Ethical Hacker

udacity

Meet the growing demand for cybersecurity professionals by gaining the offensive security skills to protect an organization’s computer networks and systems...

2. Security Engineer

udacity

Gain the highly sought-after skills to protect an organization’s computer networks and systems from security threats or attacks...

3. AWS Fundamentals: Addressing Security Risk

coursera

Welcome to AWS Fundamentals: Addressing Security Risk! This course will give you an overview of security best practices when developing and managing applications on AWS. The course, created by AWS experts and delivered by AWS Solutions Architects, uses video lectures, hands-on exercise guides, demonstrations, and quizzes to dive deep on concepts about security on AWS. You will learn about the concept of “least privilege” and the AWS Shared Responsibility Model, as well as view demonstrations of...

4. PCI DSS Bootcamp: The A-Z™ Information Security Course

udemy
4.3
(828)

Master the 12 Requirements of PCI DSS v4.0 Compliance, Cyber Security and Identity Access Management + Practice Test...

5. Information Security Fundamentals - Cyber Security Bootcamp

udemy
4.2
(267)

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

6. Intro to Cybersecurity

udacity

Get your start in the high growth field of Cybersecurity by building foundational skills in how to evaluate, maintain, and monitor the security of computer systems...

7. Security Analyst

udacity

Meet the growing demand for cybersecurity professionals by gaining the skills to protect an organization’s computer networks and systems...

8. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

udemy
4.1
(1,311)

Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)...

9. Planning and Implementing a Security Incident Response

udemy
4.4
(1,105)

Learn all about planning and implementing a Security Incident Response along with best practices and recommendations...

10. Security Architect

udacity

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...

11. Enterprise Security

udacity

Meet the growing demand for enterprise security engineers and learn the foundational skills of security engineering within an enterprise setting...

12. Cloud Security Course: Cloud Compliance, Audits,Legal issues

udemy
4.4
(309)

For CCSK and CCSP Aspirants - Cloud Agreements/Contracts, Legal and Compliance Concepts...

13. ISACA CISM Certified Information Security Manager

udemy
4
(285)

One of the highest paid certifications! Become a Certified Information Security Manager!...

14. Cybersecurity for Business Leaders

udacity

Learn to leverage the capabilities of cybersecurity best practices to protect your organization and unlock next-level results...

15. Zero Trust Security

udacity

Companies around the world are facing constant and evolving cyber attacks, so it’s imperative that they find talent with the dynamic skills to address these pressing issues...

16. Information Security Management Fundamentals for Non-Techies

udemy
4.6
(13,166)

Learn the Fundamentals of Information Security Management for Non-Techies...

17. The Complete Cyber Security Course: Network Security!

udemy
4.6
(16,367)

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

18. AWS Security and Governance Administration for Professionals

udemy
4.5
(276)

In-Depth AWS Security Administration and Governance: Learn hands-on with certified industry professionals...

19. Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK) V4

udemy
4.5
(1,672)

Your first step toward cloud security expertise...

20. ISO/IEC 27005:2022. Information security risk management

udemy
4.6
(878)

Understand the framework proposed by ISO for managing information security risks in an organization...

Top 10 most affordable universities for senior security architects

The most affordable schools for senior security architects are California State University - Bakersfield, suny farmingdale, and brooklyn college of the city university of new york.

If the best universities for senior security architects 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 security architects.

1. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

2. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

3. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

4. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

5. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

6. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

7. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

8. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

9. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

Socorro, NM • Private

In-state tuition

$7,770

Cost of attendance

21,244

10. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for senior security architects

The hardest universities for senior security architects to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.

Some great schools for senior security architects 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 security architects 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. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

5. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

6. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

7. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

8. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Troy, NY • Private

Admissions rate

43%

SAT average

1,415

9. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,380

10. University of Rochester

Rochester, NY • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,422

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for senior security architects

The easiest schools for senior security architects to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, barry university, and nyack college.

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

1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

2. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

3. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

4. La Roche College

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

99%

SAT average

1,008

5. LIM College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

1,061

6. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

7. Saint Martin's University

Lacey, WA • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,111

8. Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,035

9. Iona College

New Rochelle, NY • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,089

10. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

Average senior security architect salary by education level

According to our data, senior security architects with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $141,275 annually. Senior security architects with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $129,992.
Senior security architect education levelSenior security architect salary
Master's Degree$141,275
Bachelor's Degree$129,992
Some College/ Associate Degree$112,888

Senior security architect education FAQs

Search for senior security architect jobs

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
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.

Browse computer and mathematical jobs