There is an inevitable pressure that comes with searching for a major that aligns with your future career goals. This can be especially true if you’re planning to study cyber security. You would definitely want to choose the best major for cyber security that doesn’t only serve as a foundation for your skills but also looks good on your resume when you join the workforce.
With several options open to students, it could be pretty challenging to narrow down your top choices for the best major for cyber security. Differetn majors might be a good fit for different reasons, as each offers unique advantages and values. In this article, we show you how to choose a major for cyber security and what degree for cyber security suits best to your preferences.
Why Choose a Career in Cyber Security
Choosing a career in cyber security can introduce you to high-paying job opportunities in the market. Cyber security professionals earn an average annual salary of $100,473, according to ZipRecruiter. This is more than double than the average annual wage of professionals in the US at $48,094.
Additionally, the demand for cyber security professionals increases every day as cyber crimes become rampant. In 2020-2021 alone, the open positions for cyber security climbed to almost 600,000. This only indicates that the rising demand for cyber security can lead to employment stability and job security should you choose this career path.
Cyber Security Job Outlook
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) forecast a job growth of 33 percent for information security analysts from 2020 to 2030. There will also be an estimated 188,300 open positions for information security analysts by 2030. Since the US BLS doesn’t have specific data for cyber security professionals in general, we’ve used information security analysts’ data as the closest match.
Cyber Security Job Satisfaction
Exabeam’s survey reported a positive trend in the job satisfaction levels of cyber security professionals for three consecutive years. From those surveyed, 96 percent stated that they’re happy with their jobs and roles, while 87 percent stated that they’re happy with their salaries.
Cyber Security Salary Potential
| Career | Minimum Level of Education | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Chief Information Security Officer | Bachelor’s Degree | $203,887 |
| Cyber Threat Analyst | Bachelor’s Degree | $101,287 |
| Cyber Security Analyst | Bachelor’s Degree | $98,805 |
| Data Security Analyst | Bachelor’s Degree | $97,894 |
| Cyber Incident Responder | Associate Degree | $56,834 |
How to Choose a Major for Cyber Security: Tips for Selecting the Right Cyber Security Degree
Tip 1: Conduct Extensive Research
First, do your research to be acquainted with the popular majors in cyber security. Read extensively on each of those majors to know what they entail and see the academic programs available. Which is better, taking them on-campus or through an online degree program? Are you going to study in a public university or a private institution? These are a few questions you need to answer during your research.
Tip 2: Check the Cost and Financing Options
A cyber security degree is both a significant financial commitment and an unmistakable career game-changer. Some online cyber security degrees can cost as low as $6,386, so you might want to go with that option if your budget permits. However, if you want to enroll on-campus, which is much pricier than online, make sure to look into all of the scholarships and grants offered by the institutions you’re considering.
Tip 3: Know the School Reputation
While you want to ensure that you receive your degree from a university that’s popular for quality, a school’s reputation in your field of study still has more weight. Focus on being in colleges with a solid cyber security reputation.
When you’re searching for jobs or asking for a promotion, a cyber security program in a school with a good reputation can help you stand out. Some schools known for offering the best majors for cyber security include Carnegie Mellon University, and Purdue University, among many others.
Tip 4: Find Out About the Faculty’s Reputation
When choosing a degree in cyber security, a prospective student needs to wisely consider the faculty and its reputation, alongside the educational institution. You want to learn from a faculty who have great technical skills and are leaders in the cyber security field. They must also be aware of new trends and advances in their field.
Tip 5: Assess the Curriculum and Consider Practical Applications
The cyber security field is ever-changing, so it’s critical to find a program that not only teaches skills but also equips you with the tools you’ll need to be a lifelong learner. Schools that maintain their curricula current and relevant to the industry demands should be on top of your shortlist. This shows that they best prepare their students for instant job placement following graduation.
What Degree for Cyber Security: Best Majors for a Cyber Security Career
Computer Science
When looking into cyber security degree programs, the first option you’ll come across is computer science. This major teaches the fundamental aspects of handling computers. Under this program, you can also choose to specialize in cyber security or take more cyber security-related courses, which you can use for your future job.
- Associated Career Paths: Cyber Security Consultant, Cloud Engineer, Computer Network Architect, Cyber Security Engineer
- Levels of Education: Associate Degree, Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree, and Doctorate
Computer Programming
This major is worth looking into if you’re more interested in the software side of cyber security. You’ll learn to write code, debug it, and compile it. You’ll study algorithms and problem-solving techniques. You’ll apply analytical skills as you practice using programming language, so you can eventually use it to program a company’s systems security and prevent security breaches.
- Associated Career Paths: Software Developer, Web Developer, Programmer Analyst
- Levels of Education: Associate Degree, Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree, and Doctorate
Database Management
This major will expose you to the critical work that’s needed to protect company information and data. Companies collect and store information in databases, and this information is crucial to the company’s success. So, if a hacker intends to steal, change, or delete data, they’re going to do it through databases.
By having knowledge in database management, you’ll be able to block unauthorized access and usage. You’ll learn how to use cyber security software to safeguard data and implement operational security.
- Associated Career Paths: Database Administrator, Support Specialist, Information Security Analyst, Security Software Developer
- Levels of Education: Associate Degree, Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree, and Doctorate
Computer Hardware Engineering
This program will teach you about design, testing, and evaluation of computer hardware. You’ll study the various types of hardware that makeup computer systems, such as circuit boards, CPUs, memory cards, and adapters. Here, you will learn how to secure computer hardware parts and the physical device management aspect of cyber security.
- Associated Career Paths: Hardware Engineer, Electronics Engineer
- Levels of Education: Associate Degree, Bachelor’s Degree
Network Administration
Through this major, you’ll learn how to oversee the connections between devices, software, and functions. You’ll determine system requirements, then install and support both software and hardware. You’ll also learn how to execute upgrades and repairs, analyze performance, and troubleshoot and resolve network issues. You’ll be able to practice how to secure networks, secure systems, and manage users and their access rights.
- Associated Career Paths: Information Technology Manager, Systems Administrator, Network Administrators, Network Architect
- Levels of Education: Associate Degree, Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree, and Doctorate
Other Cyber Security Related Majors
Knowing how to choose the best major for cyber security entails meticulously considering all factors that go into studying this field. The cyber security field is rapidly expanding, so your answer to what degree for cybersecurity should you pursue could still change. Here are other cyber security-related majors that you can also explore.
- Cloud Computing
- Computer Forensics
- Computer Security Technology
- Cyber Leadership and Intelligence
- Information Security and Assurance
- Information Security Risk and Management
- Information Technology Management
- Intelligence and Cyber Operations
- Machine Learning
- Network Security
Is a Career in Cyber Security Right for Me?
Yes, a career in cyber security is right for you. With the cyber security business as a whole having a bright future ahead, cyber security professionals can reap the benefits in the coming years. Furthermore, the annual salary is above average with the average median salary of $103,690, which is a wonderful benefit.
This field also shows positive job growth in the coming years, which translates to a lot of career opportunities. As a cyber security professional, you can anticipate never being unemployed for a long time, while enjoying a rewarding career.
Best Major for Cyber Security FAQ
Yes, you can go to a bootcamp to learn cyber security. Many bootcamps on cyber security are available for learning. Bootcamps are short and intensive training that teaches students job-ready skills in no time. They provide students with practical knowledge, which they can use if they want to join the job market soon.
A bootcamp takes three to six months and a bachelor’s degree takes four to five years. The duration is largely dependent on the type of program you enrolled in. These estimates can take longer or shorter, depending on whether you’re a full-time student or which university or college you’re joining.
With a bachelor’s degree in cyber security, you can become an information security analyst, penetration tester, or take other high-paying cyber security roles that require a bachelor’s degree. You may refer to our list above to find the best one that suits you.
In terms of educational qualification, you need a degree in either IT, computer science, or systems engineering. On the other hand, in terms of experience qualification, you need two years of work experience in cyber security-related jobs.
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.
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