The field of cybersecurity is rapidly growing and offers a variety of job opportunities in a variety of industries. But with so many ways to build technology skills, is a cybersecurity degree worth it?
“Many reports and studies show there are hundreds of thousands of cybersecurity jobs available, and the demand is growing,” said Goldstein, who has more than 20 years of experience in information security. states. “While educational programs are increasing, the number of trained professionals remains well below demand, so opportunities will continue for many years to come.”*
So, is a cybersecurity degree right for you? The first step to making that decision is to understand what a cybersecurity degree is and how it can help you with your desired career. It's about deeper understanding.
What is a Cybersecurity degree?
A degree in Cyber Security is a higher education qualification designed to give you skills, knowledge and experience in key areas of the Information Technology (IT) field. Cybersecurity degree programs prepare you to respond to cyber threats, assess risks, and apply security techniques to keep your software, data, and digital infrastructure safe from cyber attacks.
Depending on your previous education and work experience, different types of cybersecurity degrees may be right for you:
- Associate Degree in Cybersecurity
- Bachelor of Science in Cyber Security
- Master of Science in Cyber Security
Cybersecurity degree courses vary, but most programs include a combination of general education courses and degree-specific classes, such as:
- Application security
- Computer Networking
- Computer Operating System
- Network Security
- Operating System Security
- security risk management
Is it hard to get a degree in cybersecurity?
“Evolving innovative education models allow aspiring professionals to develop strong technical skills in areas such as network security, cryptography, and ethical hacking, as well as legal and ethical considerations. They can understand things,” Goldstein said.
He also noted that cybersecurity can sometimes be a challenging field because it is constantly changing and requires students to develop skills across a wide range of disciplines, but this rapid evolution is also what makes the field exciting and offers a wide variety of career options.
Is a cybersecurity degree enough to get a job?
In 2024, there are still many cybersecurity jobs available in the United States that need to be filled. According to Cyberseek, there are only enough cybersecurity talent pools to fill 82% of the positions employers need.*
“The degree program is a great way to learn the wide range of KSAs needed for cybersecurity jobs,” he said.
Earning a cybersecurity degree opens up career opportunities in a variety of fields. You could work for an information technology company, but many other industries also rely on cybersecurity professionals to secure their networks and digital assets, Goldstein said, including:
- education
- finance
- health care
- insurance
- Manufacturing
- retail
“Job roles range from security engineers who focus on building and maintaining secure systems to auditors and compliance professionals to incident response workers who help organizations deal with cyber incidents,” says Gold. Stein said.
Which area of cybersecurity pays the highest?
according to Terence Wynnan adjunct faculty member of cybersecurity at SNHU and a cybersecurity expert with 30 years of experience, makes cybersecurity an umbrella term that encompasses many professions.
These jobs include:
- Cyber Security Analyst
- Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC)
- Incident Responders
- vulnerability analyst
- security consultant
Earning potential in the cybersecurity field varies depending on the industry you work in, your specific role, your level of education and experience, and often the geographic region of the organization you work for.
For example, as an information security analyst, you can help plan and implement security strategies designed to protect an organization's computer networks and systems.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), information security analysts will earn a median annual salary of $120,360 in 2023*. According to BLS data, information security analyst jobs are projected to increase by 32% by 2032. *
Is a cybersecurity degree worth the investment?
Your earning potential and available job opportunities will depend on the type of cybersecurity degree you pursue and the skills and experience you build as a result. But data from the BLS and other organizations shows that there are many benefits to earning a degree in cybersecurity.
Fields of high demand
According to Cyberseek, there were 448,033 cybersecurity jobs in the United States between February 2023 and January 2024, many of which required a bachelor's degree or higher. *
For example, for cybersecurity professionals, Cyberseek data shows that 42% of online job ads ask for a bachelor's degree and 44% ask for a master's degree. Job openings for incident and intrusion analysts were similar. Cyberseek reports that 52% are seeking a bachelor's degree and 46% are seeking a master's degree.
“Demand remains high and will undoubtedly remain so for the foreseeable future,” Wynn said. *
Higher earning potential
Earning a degree in cybersecurity can also increase your income. According to BLS data, the median weekly earnings for those with a bachelor's degree in 2023 was $1,493, while workers with a high school diploma earned just $899 per week*.
Those with master's degrees will see an even bigger increase in pay, with median weekly earnings of $1,737 in 2023, according to the BLS.
Decrease in unemployment rate
Stable employment is another potential benefit of earning a cybersecurity degree. According to BLS data, the unemployment rate for master's degree holders is just 2% in 2023, compared with 2.2% for bachelor's degree holders.* Meanwhile, the unemployment rate for workers with only a high school diploma is 3.9%, according to the BLS.*
Opportunities for personal and professional growth
One of the biggest benefits of earning a cybersecurity degree is the growth you will experience in your personal and professional life.
His advice to other students considering a cybersecurity degree program is simple.
“My advice is to just give it a try,” he said. “Time never slows down for anyone. Don't give up on yourself. After all, you are your own best support system. Do what's best for you. Don't let anyone stop you.” please.”
What are the best cybersecurity degrees?
According to the BLS, a bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for cybersecurity roles such as information security analyst, but two-year degrees, certificate programs, and graduate-level degrees can also help you reach your goal.
“Any degree you have can show recruiters and hiring managers that you're interested in the field,” Wynn says.
Is it better to get a degree or a certificate in cybersecurity?
If students decide to pursue a degree after earning the certificate, they will need to apply the courses to the program, Winn said.
read more: Are cybersecurity certificates worth it?
Is a two-year degree in cybersecurity worth it?
Goldstein said earning an associate's degree in cybersecurity can be a good starting point for professionals in the field, especially if the program incorporates hands-on learning. .
“Programs that emphasize hands-on, applied learning are beneficial,” he says. “Getting practice working with technology will make you more visible to employers.”
Is a Masters in Cybersecurity Worth It?
If you already have a bachelor's degree and want to further your career, earning a master's degree in cybersecurity can help, Goldstein said.
Earning a master's degree will equip you with more advanced technical skills and provide you with the important leadership skills that employers look for when hiring for management positions in the cybersecurity field.
But no matter what degree program you pursue, Wynn said it's important to make sure you attend a university with a proven track record of providing high-quality cybersecurity education.
One way to do that, Winn said, is to look for institutions that have received important designations — for example, SNHU has been designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) by the National Security Agency (NSA), and the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Cybersecurity is an accredited program of study at SNHU.
Is a Cybersecurity degree right for me?
If you want to enter the evolving cybersecurity field, it's important to consider the degree programs available and how they align with your unique goals. Once you decide how you want to advance your cybersecurity career goals, the opportunities are virtually limitless.
“No two situations are the same in this field, and you have the opportunity to build a great career in one of the niche specializations,” Wynn said. “This field continues to grow, and cybersecurity professionals need to ensure that organizations protect their customers' information and resources.”
