HAMBURG, NY — Hilbert College's Cybersecurity, BS program has earned four 2027 rankings from Research.com: #4 among the Most Valuable Cybersecurity Degree Programs in New York, #10 in the Northeast, #35 nationally, and #11 on Research.com's Most Affordable Cybersecurity Degree Programs list for New York.
Research.com’s rankings draw on the IPEDS database, College Scorecard, and the National Center for Education Statistics, weighing academic quality, career outcomes, cost efficiency, industry alignment, and student support.
The recognition reflects a program built around direct, hands-on preparation. Students train in Hilbert’s dedicated off-network cybersecurity lab, working through real-world attack and defense scenarios rather than only studying them in theory. A 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio keeps instruction close, with faculty who bring industry experience directly into the classroom.
Much of that experience comes through partnerships with working security professionals, including Dave Newell, an assistant professor in Hilbert’s Cybersecurity program who is also founder and CEO of Loptr LLC, a Western New York cybersecurity consulting firm. Newell teaches Hilbert’s Information Security and Cybercrime courses, drawing on real case studies from his own and Loptr’s industry experience to bring the material to life. Last year, he restructured his course around specific cybersecurity career paths: vulnerability assessor, risk analyst, training and awareness coordinator, and threat hunter, giving students hands-on, work-style assignments they can point to directly in job interviews. His dual role means Hilbert students learn from someone actively running security operations in the field, not just teaching theory, and it has opened a steady pipeline of Hilbert students and alumni into internships and roles across the industry.
“Our cybersecurity students aren’t just reading about attacks. They’re in the off-network computer lab running them and defending against them, side by side with faculty who’ve done this work for a living,” said Hilbert College Interim President Michael Cornell. “That’s the kind of preparation that is exactly what allows our students to have real impact for the companies that they serve.”
The curriculum pairs technical depth in network security, digital forensics, and incident response with the managerial and communication skills employers say are just as often the gap in new hires. Students can also carry that training forward through Hilbert’s MS in Cybersecurity Technology or MA in Cybersecurity Administration, built for those aiming at senior security leadership roles.The MS builds advanced technical expertise with coursework in threat intelligence, digital forensics, and incident response that prepares graduates for roles like security architect or penetration tester. The MA takes that same foundation in a different direction, pairing it with the policy, risk management, and organizational leadership skills that senior security roles require.
That combination of hands-on experience, low student-to-faculty ratios, and a clear pathway from a bachelor degree to graduate study translates directly into strong student outcomes. That’s especially true in a field where the need keeps growing. U.S. News & World Report currently ranks information security analyst #4 overall on its 2026 Best Jobs list, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the field will grow 28.5% between 2024 and 2034, well above the average for all occupations. For students entering the workforce, that demand makes a difference when choosing a career.
Explore our Cybersecurity Pathways
Hilbert’s Cybersecurity program is offered on-campus and online through Hilbert College Global, with pathways from bachelor through master degrees so students can go as far into the field as they want without leaving Hilbert. Prospective students can learn more and apply on a rolling basis at discover.hilbert.edu/cybersecurity, visit campus in person, or call admissions at (716) 649-7900.
Contact Us
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Michael R. Cornell
Interim President
