Information systems security plays a big part in every organization since it keeps information available, confidential, and secure. It doesn’t just deal with computer information, but it deals with the protection of data in different forms such as telephone conversations. This field is gaining traction, causing students to look for the best schools for information systems security.
Attending the best information systems security colleges will prepare you with the skills you need to protect client information. If you’re looking to impact organizations through this field, you must have the right foundations and knowledge. This guide will examine the best information systems security universities. It will also explore relevant online degree programs and possible career options for this degree.
Best Information Systems Security College and University Rankings: Top 10 Information Systems Security Schools at a Glance
| School | State | Formats Available | US News Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona State University | AZ | Online | 117 |
| Columbia Southern University | AL | Online | N/A |
| Davenport University | AL | Online, in-campus | 95 |
| Drexel University | PA | Online, In-campus | 103 |
| Liberty University | VA | Online, in-campus | 299-391 |
| Limestone University | SC | Online, in-campus | N/A |
| Our Lady of the Lake University | TX | Online, in-campus | 299-391 |
| Pennsylvania State University-World Campus | PA | Online | 91-100 |
| Regent University | VA | Online, in-campus | 277 |
| University of Cumberlands | KY | Online, hybrid | 299-391 |
Information Systems Security School Rankings: Best Information Systems Security Colleges and Universities
Some universities offer information systems security degree programs as a bachelor’s or master’s. Others only include the topic in their major programs. Information systems security is just beginning to be recognized by some universities as a separate degree. The universities listed below prepare students for their chosen career paths, such as systems analyst and security analyst.
The Best Schools for Information Systems Security: Types of College Degrees and University Programs Offered
Different degrees and programs provide varying levels of expertise and prepare students for different careers. You can take a certificate, an associate degree, a bachelor’s degree, and even up to a doctoral degree if you want to land a high-level job. The following section covers the different degree types and qualifications you can get in information systems security.
Comparing Popular Degree Options
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Best Information Systems Security Schools: Other Information Systems Security University Rankings
Schools have different degree programs that allow students to develop the skills they need for real-world scenarios and employment. It can be difficult to identify the best program and delivery method for your needs. Take a look at the lists below to learn more about all the options you have when it comes to the best schools for information systems security.
Best Online Information Systems Security Schools
- Drexel University. This is a private research university that offers a range of online degree programs. This is a good online school for information systems security because it prepares students for a position or role in government, non-profits, or a corporation.
- Arizona State University. This university has a large undergraduate population and offers a lot of academic and extracurricular options. This is a good online school since its online students receive the same course content and support as the in-person students.
- Liberty University. This is the largest Evangelical Christian university. It is a good school for an online program as it provides students with quality instruction in data management and digital forensics.
Best Community Colleges for Information Systems Security
- Gateway Community College. This is the first technical college in Arizona. Gateway Community College is a good community college because its curriculum is comprehensive and will teach you to succeed in technology-related roles.
- Chemeketa Community College. This college offers a program called College Credit Now to help college students with their tuition. This is a good community college for this field as it helps students learn how to design, implement, and maintain enterprise and workgroup-level computer systems.
- Maricopa Community Colleges. This is a good community college for students to learn about practical and theoretical skills important for mission-critical data and systems.
Best Undergraduate Schools for Information Systems Security
- University of Cumberlands. This university offers affordable tuition without sacrificing students’ education. This is a good undergraduate school for students to learn about federal regulations that are important for maintaining information security.
- Our Lady of the Lake University. This is a private Catholic university that offers popular majors like psychology and social work. This is a good undergraduate school for the program as full-time students get plenty of hands-on experience with networking technology.
- Limestone University. This university was the first women’s college in South Carolina. Limestone university is a good undergraduate school because they offer flexibility in their program for information systems security.
Best Graduate Schools for Information Systems Security
- Liberty University. Liberty University is a Catholic university that also develops religious values among its students. This is a good graduate school for the program as it also enhances the technical skills and leadership skills of technology professionals.
- Pennsylvania State University-World Campus. This university takes pride in its students who became global leaders in their niche. This is a good graduate school for students who are especially interested in evaluating risks and cyber security.
- Illinois State University. This is a good graduate school because it is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, which means that the school provides great quality education for this field.
Best Information Systems Security Schools With Dual Degree Programs
- University of Nevada Las Vegas | Master of Science – Cybersecurity & Master of Science – Management Information Systems. The total credit hours for this program is 48, with 24 credit hours for cyber security, and 24 hours for management and information systems. This degree is for students seeking a leadership opportunity in technology-related fields. You’ll learn about information technology systems, analysis, and design.
- University of Michigan – Dearborn | BS in Computer and Information Science & Cybersecurity and Information Assurance. Through this degree, students will gain skills that qualify them for roles in computer and information science-related fields. They’ll learn about computer networks and operating systems.
- Eastern Illinois University | Master of Business Administration and Master of Science in Cybersecurity. This degree equips students to have advanced knowledge in business functions, management, and leadership in the cyber security field. The program has a total of 57 credit hours.
Best Schools With Accelerated Information Systems Security Programs
- University of Cincinnati | IT Accelerated Program. This program allows students to gain a bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Information Technology in five years. To provide hands-on experience, students also experience five co-op rotations.
- Rochester University | Computer Information Systems, BBA. The is an online program for students with an associate degree. It requires students complete at least 60 credit hours.
- Western Governors University | Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance. This online degree program allows students to progress through the course content at their own speed, and most students finish within 21 months. It also prepares students with professional certifications.
Easy Colleges to Get Into
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Is Graduate School for Information Systems Security Worth It?
Yes, it is worth going to graduate school for information systems security. Through graduate programs, you’ll gain advanced learning and get more qualifications in the field of information systems security.
A graduate program also enhances your soft skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration. You also get a higher chance of a bigger salary since you can apply for more high-position roles.
What Jobs Can You Do With an Information Systems Security Degree?
The jobs you can do with an information systems security degree are business analyst, database architect, software developer, and computer scientist. Many universities that offer information systems security degrees prepare students for roles in these fields by teaching students how to fight digital crime. Students also get a strong foundation in data privacy and security.
How Much Can I Earn With a Degree in Information Systems Security?
A degree in information systems security is within the technology field, so salaries are competitive. Still, your wage depends on what type of degree you hold. According to PayScale, an Associate Degree in Information Systems Security grad can make around $58,000. A bachelor’s degree holder can earn as much as $91,000. Graduate students with a master’s degree will earn around $95,000.
Highest-Paying Information Systems Security Careers
| Profession | Minimum Education | Average Salary | US News Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Information Systems Manager | Bachelor’s degree | $159,010 | 9 |
| Computer Scientist | Master’s degree | $131,490 | 25 |
| Software Developer | Bachelor’s degree | $110,140 | 2 |
| Information Security Analyst | Bachelor’s degree | $102,600 | 299-391 |
| Data Scientist | Bachelor’s degree | $100,910 | 49 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | Bachelor’s degree | $99,270 | 1 |
| Database Administrator | Bachelor’s degree | $98,860 | 17 |
| Database Architect | Bachelor’s degree | $98,860 | 6 |
| Web Developer | Bachelor’s degree | $77,200 | 103 |
| Business Analyst | Bachelor’s degree | $70,661 | 249 |
Best Jobs With an Information Systems Security Degree
The best jobs with an information systems security degree are information security analyst, network engineer, cyber security engineer, and network engineer. The jobs available could be dependent on your degree level and technical experience. Below is more information on jobs you can get depending on your degree.
How Can I Pay for Information Systems Security School?
You can pay for information systems security school using loans, scholarships, or even a research fellowship. It’s not easy to pay for tuition fees, plus you also have to think about your accommodation, food, and other school expenses. Below are suggestions that could help you pay for undergraduate and graduate programs.
- Work-study program. This program gives students a chance to work while studying. This will allow them to have an income to help cover additional expenses and tuition. You have to meet qualifications first to be eligible for the program.
- Student loans. This is one of the common ways to finance your studies. You can use federal or private loans to pay for tuition.
- Scholarships. Scholarships can be full scholarships or partial ones. Scholarships help cover your tuition and other fees or expenses like books, lodging, and transportation. Scholarships often require students to have outstanding academic abilities.
- Research fellowship. This is offered to graduate students. Basically, they can apply for a salaried assistant position within their program. The income can help students pay for their tuition, books, and other schooling expenses.
How to Pay for Your Chosen School Education Path
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Choosing the Best Information Systems Security School for You
To choose the best information systems security school for you, you should consider accreditation, cost, and career goals. You can check out these factors to make a wise and objective decision regarding which school is the most appropriate for you. The following list explains these factors further.
Accreditation
Accreditation means the school has proven it provides a certain standard of education set among colleges and universities. Accreditation proves to potential employers that the school you attended offers quality education. Accreditation is also relevant if you want to transfer your credits in the future.
Cost
Whether you’re looking for associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree programs in information systems security, it’s vital that you compare the cost of the universities you’re looking at. The cost includes the tuition and other fees and other expenses like books, housing, and food. If you studied at a certain school, checking the estimate can help you decide if that’s the best option for you, especially if you have limited financial resources.
Career Goals
It’s essential that you know what kind of career you want to pursue and the type of job you want. Knowing your career goals is one of the first steps you should take to choose the best school for you. For example, if you see yourself becoming a chief information officer, you should look for schools that offer that kind of track. You should have a bachelor’s program first and then pursue a master’s degree.
How to Get Into the Right School for Your Profession
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Does It Matter What College I Go to for Information Systems Security?
Yes, it does matter what college you go to for information systems security. Some schools are better than others because the curriculum covers a wide range of topics and concepts on information systems security. These should be intermediate programming, fundamentals of cloud computing, and fundamentals of information security.
Information Systems Security University Ranking Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Schools for Information Systems Security
We ranked the best Information Systems Security schools by consulting the university rankings conducted by US News & World Report and Times Higher Education. To further refine our Information Systems Security university ranking methodology, we gave special consideration to things like reputation, graduation rate, student-to-faculty ratio, and breadth and depth of Information Systems Security degree program offerings.
Additional Reading About Information Systems Security
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Best Information Systems Security Schools FAQ
No, you can’t get an information systems security job without a degree. Most of the job opportunities available indicate that the minimum education should be a bachelor’s degree.
There might be free resources on information systems security online, which can help broaden your knowledge, but only through education can your skills be enhanced and tested.
The types of information security include cloud security, application security, disaster recovery, and infrastructure security. Cloud security focuses on cloud or cloud-connected information and components. Application security protects applications programming interfaces (API) and applications. Disaster recovery is developing cyber resiliency so the organization can recover from security incidents.
The degree that you need for information security is a Bachelor’s Degree in Information Systems Security. However, not a lot of universities offer the exact degree. You can always pursue a degree related to a computer-technology-related field. These degrees are computer science, data science, or cyber security.
You can finish an information systems security degree within 2 to 4 years. For example, an associate degree is only for two years if taken full-time. A Bachelor’s Degree in Information Systems Security can take four years. For a master’s degree, you can graduate in two to three years. Some students take longer, especially if they are working at the same time.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
