As more and more organisations and government facilities become data-driven, there is a new risk that needs to be managed- protecting all this classified information. This is why Cyber security jobs will increase by 12% in demand in the next ten years. As this is a highly demanded job that requires trusted individuals, you can expect the salaries to start from 53,000 USD per annum.
This is a very lucrative career but you must research carefully and choose a curriculum that matches your needs and at least covers the foundation modules of cyber security and a hands-on project. Here’s a list of the most reputable universities for cyber security in the USA.
1. Carnegie Mellon University
The Information Networking Institute at Carnegie Mellon offers a wide variety of cyber security and IT courses. There are different certifications as well as a Masters program that you can choose from. As the university is located at a very strategic location- Pittsburgh- there are many employment opportunities after you are finished with your course. Google, Uber, Disney, and Facebook are all located in this city and always looking for experts to protect their data.
2. University of South California
USC offers an excellent student to faculty ratio of 9:1 which means that you will not be availing the state of the art research facilities at the campus but also gain valuable information from experts. The university has worked with DETER, a general-purpose cyber security project, which creates real-life data threats in order to practise how to create security against them. Students are allowed to work on this project and get the hands-on experience they need. Check out their program page here.
3. John Hopkins University
John Hopkins is one of the oldest and the most reputable universities in the US- which is why it is also more affordable for students. The main advantage for cyber security is the fact that the university has links with federal agencies, key R&D institutions, and diverse industrial sectors and also offers scholarships through the National Science Foundation CyberCorps and Department of Defense Information Assurance. Browse through their Information Security courses to see which one fits your career progression the most.
4. United States Military Academy
The US Military Academy, also known as West Point is the country’s first service academy- it covers the tuition, room, board, medical and dental care expenses of the students and has valuable connections with The National Security Agency, Army IA Directorate, FBI, NRO, and Air Force Labs which also sponsor the centre. You can imagine how seriously an army institute must take their cyber security issues so they offer exemplary education in this field. Check out their Cyber Science page here.
5. George Washington University
George Washington University stands out in the cyber security department due to its endorsement from the NSA and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The program offered ranges from undergraduate to Executive Master’s so you have a lot of options to choose from. It is a private university so the tuition fee is a little higher than other institutes. Most courses have to attend in person but you can also opt for the Master of Engineering in Cybersecurity Policy & Compliance online- check out other options here.
6. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
MIT is world-renowned for its strong research record and not surprisingly, it focuses well on its cyber security department too. The Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) and Interdisciplinary Consortium for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity (IC) are working diligently upon improving and discovering cyber security initiatives. This extensive work is very valuable for anyone looking to study the subject in depth. Explore more on this subject here.
7. Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech is a public research institute which ranks 15th in the US for its electrical and computer engineering programs so its focus on cyber security is extensive- with the six cybersecurity research centres and labs and the $15M per year spent on research is the perfect example of how it stands out among other universities. There is a wide variety of courses offered at every level so you can even go for a Bachelor’s and begin your career in cyber security immediately after high school.
8. Purdue University
Purdue University is known for its strong alumni network and the employability of its graduates. CERIAS (Center for Education and Research in Information Assurance and Security) is doing incredible work for cyber and information security and works with Boeing, Caterpillar, Citi, Deloitte, General Motors, Lockheed Martin, Intel, Northrop Grumman, and others for their data protection. It has also worked with Intel to create strong security principles from the design stage to ensure a secure development cycle. Find out more about this incredible program here.
Conclusion
After going through all these programs offered by prestigious universities, you must be wondering which course is actually a viable option for you. You can openly discuss eligibility and affordability with our counsellors and figure out the path that would be best for your career in cyber security. Do not let these small factors stop you from reaching your true educational potential.
