Cybersecurity, BS
As global cyberattacks grow in number and severity, companies and organizations are in desperate need of qualified cybersecurity professionals to help them defend against threats. You can gain the skills and knowledge you’ll need to help public, private or government organizations protect their systems and sensitive data by earning a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity from Hilbert College.
With a rigorous curriculum that emphasizes both the technical and managerial sides of cybersecurity, as well as a dedicated learning lab and internship opportunities that allow you to put your knowledge to use in real-world settings, our cybersecurity degree program is an excellent choice for aspiring cybersecurity professionals looking to start a career in this fast-growing, high-paying field.
What Can You Do with a Cybersecurity Degree?
Hilbert’s Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity degree can be the credential you need to qualify for a range of careers with higher-than-average salaries and job growth. In fact, U.S. News & World Report ranks information security analyst at #1 on its list of 100 Best Jobs. Across every industry, demand for cybersecurity professionals has soared in response to a severe shortage of qualified candidates. If you are looking for a career with excellent pay and job security, you can’t do much better than the cybersecurity field.
Earning a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity can pave the way for you to pursue advanced study leading to a master’s degree or higher as well, which can open up additional opportunities for you in senior leadership roles, such as that of a chief information security officer, with an average annual salary of $172,600, according to Payscale.
Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity Benefits
Now is a great time to earn a cybersecurity degree, for many reasons:
- The demand for cybersecurity professionals is high.
- Competition is currently low.
- The salary potential is excellent.
- The field is growing fast.
- Virtually every industry needs cybersecurity professionals.
- The day-to-day work is challenging and exciting.
- Cybersecurity professionals have an opportunity to make a difference.
Questions & Answer Session With Dr. Steven MacMartin
The strength of this program is the practical experience that the instructors have. Our adjuncts are bringing in 100 years of experience in local and federal law enforcement, as well as from private enterprise, the banking industry and the healthcare industry.
We have a special course on digital currency and money laundering with digital currency. We’ve also got an entire course on cloud technology. Because cloud technology is where all companies are going, the hackers aren’t going for your physical offices anymore. They’re going for your information stored in the cloud.
They tell me they want people experienced in the administration of cybersecurity programs. They don’t need people coding computers. And they want someone with a master’s degree, even though they’ve got to pay more. With those ten additional courses, you can step in and get to work immediately, rather than having to be trained for what the company wants you to do.
If you’re a senior and your personal situation can handle it, don’t take your foot off the gas. Consider staying for your fifth year and getting your master’s degree. If you want to stand out above the crowd in this field, if you want to swim around with the top fish, you’ve got to have a master’s degree.
Cybersecurity Degree Curriculum
The Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity curriculum is designed to provide students with a thorough understanding of cybersecurity practices, procedures and technology along with a diverse set of skills, including ethical awareness. Courses emphasize both the technical and managerial sides of cybersecurity, preparing students for the challenges of technology leadership in business, government and law enforcement.
Upon graduation, Hilbert cybersecurity students should be able to pass the exams to obtain industry-recognized cybersecurity certifications, such as the ComptTIA Network+, ComptTIA Security+ and certified information system security professional (CISSP) examinations.
Cybersecurity Degree Careers
A bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity can be your gateway to any of a variety of careers, including:
- Information security analyst
- Cybersecurity consultant
- Security systems administrator
- Network engineer/architect
- Digital forensic analyst
- Penetration tester
- Cryptography engineer
Additional studies and job experience can open up pathways to the senior positions—and high salaries—this field has to offer.
What Is the Typical Cybersecurity Degree Salary?
The cybersecurity degree program at Hilbert can help you build the foundation needed to pursue any of a number of careers in the field. The following are the median salaries for some of these roles:
Median Salary: $102,600*
Median annual salary: $89,100**
Median annual salary: $80,600*
Median annual salary: $120,520*
Median annual salary: $75,000**
Median annual salary: $77,250*
*Salary, growth and job numbers info based on data compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
**Salary info based on data compiled by Payscale
Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity Job Outlook
Today’s critical shortage of qualified cybersecurity professionals means that the job outlook for cybersecurity degree graduates is extremely positive. According to Cyberseek, an interactive career tool offering data and insights about career progression in the cybersecurity industry, employers are struggling to cope with an annual shortfall of 49,000 information security analysts, the field’s largest job role.
In addition, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of information security analysts will grow a whopping 35% from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Graduates of Hilbert’s Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity program may pursue any of a variety of rewarding careers that offer competitive salaries and growth potential. Jobs available to Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity graduates include information security analyst, cybersecurity consultant, network engineer or architect, digital forensic analyst and penetration tester.
The median annual salary for professionals holding a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity degree from a U.S. higher education institution was about $74,000 as of October 2022, according to Payscale.
Most students complete our Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity program in four years or less. Full-time students with eligible transfer credits may be able to complete the program sooner.
The growing need for cybersecurity professionals, combined with the current shortage of qualified job candidates, makes now a great time to earn your degree in cybersecurity. The job outlook is expected to be excellent across the next decade, offering bachelor’s in cybersecurity graduates the opportunity to earn high salaries and gain promotions in virtually any field. The work is not only challenging, it can also be personally rewarding—you’ll have the opportunity to make a difference every day.
Additionally, earning your cybersecurity degree from Hilbert College is a great way to gain the knowledge you need to pass industry-recognized cybersecurity certification exams, such as the ComptTIA Network+, ComptTIA Security+ and certified information system security professional (CISSP) examinations, to launch and grow your career.
Contact Us
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Dr. Jonas Patricko
Program Coordinator, Division of Professional StudiesAssociate Professor
