Information Assurance and Cyber Security Degrees in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania offers all kinds of job opportunities for cyber security professionals. With a $644 billion GDP, the state’s economy ranks in the top 10 nationally, and over a dozen Fortune 500 companies are headquartered in Pennsylvania. Once a major manufacturing hub, Pennsylvania is now a leader in financial and banking services, information technology, insurance, healthcare, biotechnology, and robotics, all of which require cyber security professionals at the entry-, mid-, and senior-levels. The state is also a top supplier of cyber security degrees: at least 16 Pennsylvania colleges and universities offer IS programs, half of which are CAE-designated by the NSA and DHS.

Cyber Security Jobs in Pennsylvania

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that Pennsylvania information security analysts earn $90-100k per year, which matches national averages. Of the current listings, 20% pay six-figures. Unsurprisingly, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are the two largest job hubs, with job openings ranging from cyber defense roles at Lockheed Martin, Booz Allen Hamilton, and the US Army, to information security positions at HM Health Solutions, Penn State University, BNY Mellon, and SAP, among others. The state’s wealth of research institutions means a high concentration of R&D jobs, plus numerous roles within the state’s vibrant tech and startup scene.

Cyber Security Degrees in Pennsylvania

Nearly a dozen schools offer certificates in cyber security, including Villanova University, Valley Forge Military College, Montgomery County Community College, La Salle University, and West Chester University of Pennsylvania.

Butler County Community College offers a two-year associate degrees in Computer Information Systems with a concentration in Computer Forensics and Security. Technical courses include Linux, Systems Analysis & Design, Microcomputer Operating Systems, Data Communications and Networking, and Digital Forensics.

Bachelor’s degrees in cyber security are available from University of Pittsburgh, Saint Vincent College, Pennsylvania State University (including four specialization options), Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, and East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania.

At least seven schools in Pennsylvania offer master’s in cyber security specializations, including top-rated programs at Drexel University, Carnegie Mellon University, Temple University, Penn State, and Pitt, which have been CAE-designated by the NSA and DHS. For those interested, Pitt offers a doctorate in Computer and Network security, as well.

The 5 Best Cyber Security Degree Providers in Pennsylvania

Perhaps unsurprisingly, there are many high quality cyber security (and related field) degree providers in the state of Pennsylvania. We’ve taken a look at all cyber security degree providers in the state (and you can too in our directory below) and pulled out the top programs based on our detailed ranking methodology. Factors in the ranking of a school include whether they are an NSA Center of Academic Excellence, the range of cyber security-related degrees offered, and a wide range of metrics checking out academic quality, affordability, return on investment, and student satisfaction. For a detailed rundown of our ranking methodology as well as national cyber security degree rankings, check out our rankings page.

1.) Drexel University

Drexel University (DU) is a private research university located in Philadelphia, PA. Home to over 26,000 students, DU offers undergraduate degrees as well as over 100 master’s, professional programs, and doctoral programs. The university has long been heralded as one of the most innovative in the nation. Some innovative features of university programming include the undergraduate co-op program in which undergraduates are meaningfully employed in their field of study for a period of time during their course of study. Additionally, the university houses an “innovation studio” in which engineering students as well as students throughout the university can work their ideas into functioning prototypes. Furthermore, the Baiada Institute helps to mentor students with startups and is one of the most productive school-related incubators in the nation. With all of that said, Drexel has been on the cutting edge for years, and was one of the first universities in the nation to embrace online learning as well as adult degrees in a variety of engineering fields.

Currently Drexel offers three cyber security-related academic programs: a Bachelor of Science in Computing and Security Technology, a post-baccelaureate program in cyber security (meant for students without technical backgrounds who would like to prepare for a master’s in cyber security), and a M.S. in Cyber Security. The post-baccelaureate program as well as the master’s program are both available fully online. And whatever your choice of cyber security program at Drexel, you can rest assured that it is compatible with national standards for large employers through the fact that Drexel is a designated center of academic excellence according to the NSA. Additionally, student satisfaction and outcome data is strong throughout the university, with a 71% graduation rate, a 89% retention rate for undergraduates, and a 10 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio.

• Homepage
• Average Net Price Undergrad: $39021

Online cyber Security Degree Programs

• Post-Baccelaureate Program in Cyber Security
• Master’s in Cyber Security

2.) Carnegie Mellon University

Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) is a highly regarded private research university located in Pittsburgh, PA. Home to over 13,500 students, the university provides bachelor’s through doctoral degrees and is particularly highly regarded for computer science, engineering and technology, and business and economics. Rivaled by few, faculty and researchers at CMU are world class and include 20 Nobel Prize Laureates, 12 Turing Award Winners, 22 Members of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, 19 Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, 72 members of the National Academies, and numberous winners of the Emmy Awards, the Tony Awards, and the Academy Awards. The university is perenially a top tier research university in funding and research spending. Historically, CMU was the first university to offer degrees in Robotics and Drama.

Carnegie Mellon University currently offers a wide variety of information assurance-related degrees including a Master of Science in Information Networking (MSIN), a Master of Science in Information Security (MSIS), a Master of Science in Information Security Policy and Management (MSISPM), a Master of Science in Information Technology, a Master of Science in Information Technology-Information Security, a MSIT-Information Security (IS), and a Ph.D. in Engineering and Public Policy (EPP) among others. Organized through CMU’s CyLab, the university is a designated center of academic excellence according to the NSA in three distinct areas of study: Information Assurance/Cyber Defense Education (CAE-IA/CD), Information Assurance/Cyber Defense Research (CAE-R) and Cyber Operations (CAE-Cyber Ops). While CMU was one of the most expensive cyber security degree providers surveyed in Pennsylvania, it’s faculty, research opportunities, network, and support are second to none worldwide. Additionally, a number of innovative programs provide on-the-ground study in Silicon Valley, one of the centers of cyber security.

• Homepage
• Average Net Price Undergrad: $35250

Online cyber Security Degree Programs

• None

3.) University of Pittsburgh

The University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) is a public research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Pitt is home to some 28,000+ students and offers degrees at the undergraduate through doctoral levels of study. One of the largest recipients of federal research money in the nation, Pitt was recently ranked as the 24th best public university in America. Despite it’s focus on research, the university is also known for attention to teaching at the undergraduate level. Another unique offering includes the prevalence of co-ops in which undergraduate students get on-the-job experience while studying. In line with the university’s commitment to undergraduate teaching, the university boasts a low student-to-faculty rate for its site. The student-to-faculty rate for the last reported year is 15 to 1.

Currently the University of Pittsburgh offers a wide range of cyber security-related academic programs including a BS in Information Sciences : Networks and security Specialization, a BA in the administration of justice with a cyber crime specialization, a CAS in Security Assured Information Systems (SAIS), a Certificate of Advanced Study in Telecommunications Security, a Doctor of Philosophy in Information Science – Computer and network security,a Master of Science in Telecommunications – Security, and a MS in Information Systems : Information Assurance and Security. Additionally, one can rest assured that regardless of one’s choice of cyber security degrees at Pitt, that they are crafted in line with national standards through the university’s designation as a center of academic excellence according to the NSA. Check out Pitt’s Institute for cyber law, policy, and security for more information on all of their programs.

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• Average Net Price Undergrad: $23572

Online cyber Security Degree Programs

• None

4.) Saint Vincent College

Saint Vincent College (SVC) is a private Roman Catholic (Benedictine) university with a main campus in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. SVC is primarily a four-year college with close to 2,000 students at the undergraduate level, and 200 at the postgraduate level. The college was founded in 1846 and was the first Benedictine Monestary in the United States. Presently the college offers a comprehensive array of degree programs through it’s four colleges: the Alex G. McKenna School of Business, Economics, and Government; the School of Social Sciences, Communication, and Education; the School of Humanities and Fine Arts; and the The Herbert W. Boyer School of Natural Science, Mathematics, and Computing. The university has cooperative agreements for engineering programs with Pennsylvania State University, the University of Pittsburgh, and the Catholic University of America. In these programs students start with a four year liberal arts and engineering core and then complete one additional year at partner institutions. As an institution that primarily focuses on undergraduate instruction, SVC has a top notch student-to-faculty ratio as well as other student satisfaction measures.

Currently Saint Vincent College offers one cyber security related degree: a Bachelor of Science in Computing and Information Science – Cybersecurity Concentration. This degree can help to prepare students for entry level positions in cyber security such as cyber security analyst postitions in 2-5 years. With a strong liberal arts base, expect to learn how to write, argue, read, and understand a wide variety of disciplines before jumping into cyber security major courses. Couple this with the strong retention rate, graduation rate, and student-faculty ratio — 83%, 69%, and 12 to 1 respectively, and you’ve got an extremely competitive and well rounded degree program.

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• Average Net Price Undergrad: $22903

Online cyber Security Degree Programs

• None

5.) Pennsylvania State University

Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) is a public land-grant, sea-grant, space-grant, doctoral university with campuses throughout the state and online. The main campus of Penn State is located in State College, Pennsylvania. With close to 100,000 students across all campuses and close to 50,000 at University Park the university is one of the largest in the United States. Known for comprehensive offerings at the bachelor’s through doctoral levels, Penn State is particularly noted for its research expenditures in science and technology (over $800 million at last count). The university is also known for distance offerings, dating back to the late 1800’s. In 1998 Penn State launched Penn State Online, the online branch of the university that is now home to over 13,000 students at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Currently Penn State offers a wide variety of cyber security-related degrees including a Bachelor of Science Degree in Security And Risk Analysis (SRA), a Bachelor of Science Degree in Security And Risk Analysis (SRA): Information and Cyber Security, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Security And Risk Analysis (SRA): Intelligence Analysis and Modeling, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Security And Risk Analysis (SRA): Social Factors and Risk, aCertificate in Information Systems, a Cybersecurity Information and Cyber Security Credit Certificate, a Information Systems Security Postbaccalaureate Certificate, a Master of Professional Studies in Homeland Security – Information Security and Forensics Option, a Master of Professional Studies in Information Sciences – Cybersecurity and Information Assurance,a Master of Professional Studies in Information Sciences, with an option in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance, a MS in Information Systems and Technology – Security Focus, and a Postbaccalaureate Certificate in Information Systems Cybersecurity. Whichever cyber security-related degree you choose at Penn State, one can rest assured it meets national and large employer standards through Penn State’s designation as a center of academic excellence by the NSA.

• Homepage
• Average Net Price Undergrad: $22903

Online cyber Security Degree Programs

• Many

Cyber Security Resources in Pennsylvania

Cyber Security Degree Providers in Pennsylvania

Below we’ve included some of the most pertinent information for choosing a cyber security degree program. Affordability looked at the average in-state tuition rate (where applicable) and divided the range of tuition rates into five bins. Each bin contains a roughly $8,000 jump in tuition. So one $ contains schools from roughly $1,000 in in-state tuition to $9,000, $$’s contains schools from >$9,000 to $17,000, and so forth. Retention rate is one of the best predictors of undergraduate education quality. While the NSA/CAE designation marks programs deemed excellent by the NSA.