Cyber Security Analyst education requirements

Q: Is a cybersecurity degree worth it?

Yes, a degree in cybersecurity is worth it. Many careers, such as ethical hacking, require the skill and knowledge that come with earning a degree in cybersecurity. It is crucial to have an extensive understanding of cybersecurity and computers to become successful in many careers, and a degree is beneficial.

Q: What job can you get with a cyber security degree?

You can get a job as a cryptographer, forensic computer analyst, or ethical hacker with a cyber security degree. Depending on your degree and specialty, salaries range from $75,000 to $95,000 per year. One specialty occupation within the field of cyber security is a cryptographer. This position requires a bachelor's degree in cyber security and is tailored for someone with algorithm training and encryption skills. Cryptographers encode information to protect it from hackers. Using algorithms to protect information from cyber criminals is their primary function. This position requires up-to-date knowledge of technology and hacking trends. Forensic computer analysis is another specialized area of cyber security. Also requiring a bachelor's degree in the field, analysts combine strong technical skills and investigative abilities to collect digital evidence after a cyber attack. Forensic computer analysts also work for law enforcement to retrieve evidence in criminal cases. Some cyber security roles focus on ethical hacking. This is the process of attempting to find weaknesses in a security system to improve and bolster its defenses. Penetration testers test the vulnerability of an organization's cyber security. They simulate cyber attacks, collect data on a system's weaknesses and report their findings, along with proposed solutions, to an organization's tech team. This position requires a bachelor's degree in cyber security, and in some cases, certification may be required.

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a cyber security analyst. Cyber security analysts usually study computer information systems, information technology, or business. 61% of cyber security analysts hold a bachelor's degree, and 19% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 1,336 real cyber security analyst resumes to see exactly what cyber security analyst education sections show.

The most common colleges for cyber security analysts are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

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

There are certain cyber security analyst certifications that you should consider. These cyber security analyst certifications include Security 5 Certification and Certified Information Systems Security Professional - Architecture (CISSP).

What education do you need to become a cyber security analyst?

What degree do you need to be a cyber security analyst?

The most common degree for cyber security analysts is bachelor's degree, with 61% of cyber security analysts earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 19% and associate degree degree at 15%.

Bachelor's, 61%

Associate, 19%

Master's, 15%

High School Diploma, 1%

Other Degrees, 4%

What should I major in to become a cyber security analyst?

You should major in computer information systems to become a cyber security analyst. 13% of cyber security analysts major in computer information systems. Other common majors for a cyber security analyst include information technology and business.

Computer Information Systems, 13%

Information Technology, 13%

Business, 11%

Computer Science, 11%

Other Majors, 52%

Most common colleges for cyber security analysts

Cyber security analysts often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, Strayer University, and George Mason University. Here are the most common colleges for cyber security analysts in the US based on their resumes.

Cyber Security Analyst common college	Percentages
University of Phoenix	14.54%
Strayer University	13.22%
George Mason University	11.01%
University of Maryland - College Park	9.25%
DeVry University	7.93%

Show more common cyber security analyst colleges

Best majors for cyber security analysts

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Computer Information Systems	13.4%
2	Information Technology	12.7%
3	Business	11.3%
4	Computer Science	11.3%
5	Criminal Justice	10.4%

Show more common cyber security analyst majors

Best colleges for cyber security analysts

The best colleges for cyber security analysts are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Boston University.

A cyber security analyst with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for cyber security analysts. 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 cyber security analysts.

1. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Enrollment

9,142

2. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,808

Enrollment

13,990

3. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

4. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

5. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

6. Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$3,926

Enrollment

9,835

7. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

8. SUNY College at Plattsburgh

Plattsburgh, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,369

Enrollment

5,229

9. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,230

Enrollment

12,161

10. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Enrollment

18,946

20 best online courses for cyber security analysts

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5. Intro to Cybersecurity

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...

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7. Cyber Security: Info Security, Combat Cyber Threats, ChatGPT

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Cyber Threats, Attacks, Viruses, Chat GPT & Cyber, Cyber Crimes, Firewalls, Cyber Security Concepts, Digital Forensics...

8. Certified Information Systems Security Officer (CISSO)

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Certified Information Systems Security Officer (CISSO) Certification Exam Prep Course...

9. Security Architect

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...

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12. Planning and Implementing a Security Incident Response

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

13. Cybersecurity for Business Leaders

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15. Introduction to Cyber Security

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18. Cyber Security SOC Analyst Training - SIEM (Splunk) - [2022]

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19. Cyber Security Operations and Technology Solutions

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20. The Complete Cyber Security Awareness Training for Employees

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Top 10 most affordable universities for cyber security analysts

The most affordable schools for cyber security analysts are California State University - Bakersfield, suny farmingdale, and california state university - long beach.

If the best universities for cyber security analysts 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 cyber security analysts.

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. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

4. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

5. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

6. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

7. California State University - Fullerton

Fullerton, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,886

Cost of attendance

17,645

8. University of Houston - Victoria

Victoria, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$6,491

Cost of attendance

19,075

9. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

10. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for cyber security analysts

The hardest universities for cyber security analysts to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Boston University.

Some great schools for cyber security analysts 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 cyber security analysts 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

SAT average

1,497

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,508

3. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

4. Boston College

Chestnut Hill, MA • Private

Admissions rate

28%

SAT average

1,429

5. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,492

6. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,380

7. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

Admissions rate

40%

SAT average

1,376

8. University of Chicago

Chicago, IL • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,520

9. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

10. University of Tulsa

Tulsa, OK • Private

Admissions rate

41%

SAT average

1,321

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for cyber security analysts

The easiest schools for cyber security analysts to get into are Nyack College, oklahoma wesleyan university, and la roche college.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a cyber security analyst 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 cyber security analysts.

1. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

2. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

3. La Roche College

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

99%

SAT average

1,008

4. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

5. Saint Martin's University

Lacey, WA • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,111

6. Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,035

7. Iona College

New Rochelle, NY • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,089

8. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

9. Presentation College

Aberdeen, SD • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,050

10. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

Average cyber security analyst salary by education level

According to our data, cyber security analysts with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $96,315 annually. Cyber security analysts with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $88,780.

Cyber Security Analyst education level	Cyber Security Analyst salary
Master's Degree	$96,315
Bachelor's Degree	$88,780
Some College/ Associate Degree	$77,332

Cyber Security Analyst education FAQs

Is a cybersecurity degree worth it?

What job can you get with a cyber security degree?

What is the best college for Cyber Security Analysts?

Have more questions? See all answers to common computer and mathematical questions.

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Updated January 8, 2025

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.

Updated January 8, 2025

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