Is a Cybersecurity Degree Worth It? Here’s What to Know

A cybersecurity degree offers a range of benefits that can contribute to a successful career in computer science. Students can use their passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to fight against cybersecurity threats that can hurt a company’s finances and damage its reputation.

In today’s digital era, cybersecurity professionals are in demand across sectors from finance to healthcare, making a cybersecurity degree worth it for both career growth and job opportunities. 

A bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity can also provide opportunities for students looking to advance in technical or business careers through hands-on training in cyberthreat simulations, preparation for certifications, and management experience within information technology (IT) departments.

What Is a Cybersecurity Degree?

A Bachelor of Science (BS) in Cybersecurity is an undergraduate degree that prepares students for careers protecting digital assets, such as computer and network systems, from cyberattacks. 

Students in cybersecurity programs learn key concepts about IT systems, how to create effective systems to protect an organization’s digital infrastructure, and what to do when cyberattacks occur. Cybersecurity programs can also offer students opportunities to prepare for CompTIA certificates, gain internship experience, and join technology-focused team projects. 

A cybersecurity degree typically takes four years to complete and includes a liberal arts and sciences curriculum in addition to core cybersecurity courses.

Why Careers in the Space Are Growing

Modern businesses are more reliant on technology than ever, and with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), more companies are relying on digital tools for convenience and efficiency. However, increasing reliance on that technology also creates more opportunities for cybercriminals to target digital devices and networks using scams, fraudulent alerts, and other attacks.

In 2025, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) received approximately 453,000 cyber-enabled fraud complaints, with losses exceeding $17.7 billion. Many of these threats are compromised corporate emails, tech support fraud, personal data breaches, and even AI-generated social profiles and videos. 

Because of these threats, the demand for cybersecurity professionals is growing each year. Positions for information security analysts are projected to increase by 29% from 2024 to 2034, with 16,000 new openings every year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). 

Skills You Can Learn

A cybersecurity career presents students with opportunities to create innovative solutions in a data-driven world, practice problem-solving skills, and learn new topics in a dynamic career field. 

Attention to detail and effective communication are among the valuable soft skills that students can learn, as well as advanced technical knowledge in specialized areas such as cloud technology, programming languages, and operating systems.

Other technical skills that cybersecurity programs teach students include:

• Fraud prevention and management
• Basic cryptography
• Cybersecurity planning
• Security risk analysis
• Network defense strategies

Careers and Industries

A cybersecurity degree is well worth it for students interested in careers in computer science, cybercrime, and information security. Graduates can work in sectors such as finance, insurance, energy and utilities, healthcare, educational services, and government.

Below are some careers that graduates pursue.

Software Engineer

• Job duties: Software engineers design computer programs and applications in collaboration with developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers. Some work with security engineers and IT security professionals to enhance application security and performance.
• Median 2024 salary: $131,450 (BLS)
• Outlook: 15% job growth between 2024 and 2034 projected by the BLS, much faster than average (3%)

Information Security Analyst

• Job duties: Information security analysts conduct security measures to ensure that computer networks and systems are protected against external threats. They maintain software such as firewalls and data encryption programs to prevent breaches and advise senior IT staff about security recommendations.
• Median 2024 salary: $124,910 (BLS)
• Outlook: 29% job growth between 2024 and 2034 projected by the BLS, much faster than average

Database Administrator and Architect

• Job duties: Database administrators (DBAs) and architects build and organize systems designed to store and secure data. DBAs monitor data operations and ensure that these systems are secure and easy to access.
• Median 2024 salary: $123,100 (BLS)
• Outlook: 4% job growth between 2024 and 2034 projected by the BLS

Penetration Tester

• Job duties: Penetration testers test network security by ethical hacking, using authorized methods on web applications, networks, and computer systems. They can also design security solutions to fix device vulnerabilities.
• Median 2024 salary: $108,970 (O-NET OnLine)
• Outlook: 7% job growth between 2024 and 2034 projected by O-NET OnLine

What to Look for in a Program

Colleges have different strengths. Students should look for programs that allow them to tailor their education to their intended careers by choosing concentrations in areas such as business or technical fields.

Also worth considering is that schools that offer training for CompTIA certification, such as CompTIA Security+ and CompTIA Network+, prepare students to earn the credentials that employers value.

Look for programs that follow the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) model, which follow cybersecurity standards sponsored by both the National Security Agency (NSA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). 

Earn Your Bachelor’s Degree in Cybersecurity with NEC

A cybersecurity degree can lead to a challenging, rewarding career. New England College’s BS in Cybersecurity offers a holistic program that teaches students how to proactively anticipate threats and protect consumers’ personal data. 

NEC’s online program instructors have real-world experience in cybersecurity, and CompTIA certifications are available to students who want to prepare for future careers. NEC offers two tracks: business, which is designed for project managers and other leadership roles, and technical, which caters to database specialists and programmers.

Learn more about how NEC can help you begin a successful cybersecurity career. 

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