Cybersecurity Degrees and Alternatives: Your 2025 Guide

Cybersecurity careers often require earning a bachelor's degree in a relevant major or advancing your knowledge with a master's degree. Learn more about the requirements for a cybersecurity degree and educational alternatives to consider if you're interested in this field.

Afterward, explore whether cybersecurity is the right career for you with the Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate.

Cybersecurity degrees

While a bachelor's degree isn’t always necessary to get an entry-level job in cybersecurity, earning one can provide you with dedicated time to develop core skills, broaden your job opportunities, make you a more competitive candidate when you start looking for jobs, and help you advance in your career.

Bachelor's degrees in cybersecurity and other relevant majors take between four and five years to complete when you can attend full-time, though part-time and online programs can make it easier to navigate your other responsibilities. Once you declare your major, you'll begin taking courses that introduce you to key concepts in cybersecurity and deepen your technical skills. You may also have the chance to take courses in nuanced areas of cybersecurity to build more specialized expertise.

Popular majors to begin a cybersecurity career

Given the growing popularity of cybersecurity careers and its important business role, it's possible to major in cybersecurity, though not all schools offer this specific focus. In that case, there are other majors you can consider to build important technical skills and begin your cybersecurity career.

Four popular majors when you're interested in studying cybersecurity:

• Cybersecurity: Not all universities offer cybersecurity degrees, but they are becoming more popular as the need for skilled security professionals increases. A cybersecurity major will offer a combination of coursework and projects to help you gain important knowledge and skills in the field.

• Computer science: A computer science degree ranks among the most popular computer-related bachelor’s degrees. These programs generally cover a wide range of technical skills, including programming, systems engineering, networking, and security. Consider this widely available degree if you’re interested in technology but want to keep your options open beyond cybersecurity.

• Information technology: While similar to computer science, IT focuses more on using technology to solve problems. If you choose IT as your major, be sure to take a few programming classes to build up your code-writing skills.

• Computer engineering: A bachelor's degree in computer engineering combines computer science and electrical engineering, with coursework in hardware, software, and computer programming. This path may interest you if you’d like to work with embedded systems security.

Cybersecurity coursework

Coursework in cybersecurity programs will vary from school to school. Generally, you can expect to take classes in topics like:

• Programming

• Networking

• Cryptography

• Penetration testing

• Digital forensics

• Security law and ethics

Master's degrees in cybersecurity

A master's degree in cybersecurity provides advanced knowledge in network security, ethical hacking, digital forensics, and security policy development. These degrees take around two years to earn when you're able to attend full-time, and provide you with the opportunity to specialize in an area of cybersecurity to develop more specialized knowledge. This additional education can often lead to higher-level positions and increased earning potential.

Earning a master’s degree in cybersecurity may not be necessary in the early stages of your career, but it can be advantageous as you seek to advance, or if you began in another line of work and want to pivot into cybersecurity.

Is a cybersecurity degree worth it?

Earning a bachelor's degree takes time and money. It’s something you should consider carefully before deciding whether it’s right for you. Keep the following factors in mind when deciding what learning path best fits your needs.

Cybersecurity professionals are in demand.

There are 514,359 cybersecurity job openings in the US alone as of June 2025, according to Cyberseek [1]. The supply of applicants with cybersecurity skills is also low. If you have the right skills and qualifications, chances are good that you can find a job in the cybersecurity field.

Cybersecurity jobs pay well.

While salaries vary by role, company, experience level, location, and other factors, cybersecurity professionals tend to have high earning potential. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports a median annual salary of $124,910 for information security analysts in the US, as of June 2025 [2].

Read more: Cybersecurity Analyst Salary Guide: How Much Can You Make?

A bachelor's degree is the most common entry-level requirement.

While it is possible to get a job in cybersecurity without a degree, many employers still require one and you may be a more competitive candidate with this type of credential. According to Zippia, 61.1 percent of cybersecurity analysts hold a bachelor's degree [3].

As you consider your options, research the types of companies you’d like to work for and look at openings they have in cybersecurity. What are their degree requirements? Do they put a higher priority on skills or certifications?

Degrees can open up more advanced job opportunities.

Generally speaking, higher-level cybersecurity positions, particularly at the management and executive level, are more likely to require a bachelor's or graduate degree. Roles like cybersecurity engineer, cybersecurity architect, cybersecurity manager, and penetration tester come with a requested education level or at least a bachelor’s degree.

A degree can help you earn a top certification.

Some of the most popular cybersecurity certifications, including the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), require several years of work experience to qualify for the exam. A degree often counts toward part of that experience requirement.

Read more: Should You Go Back to School? 7 Things to Consider

No, you don't need a bachelor's degree to get started in cybersecurity. While a degree can be helpful, many people enter the field through alternative paths, such as certifications, on-the-job training, and self-study. Learn how to get started in cybersecurity without a degree.

Alternatives to a cybersecurity degree

If earning a cybersecurity or computer security degree is not for you, a degree isn’t the only career path in cybersecurity. Consider these options for developing the skills needed to get a security job:

• Certification: Earning a cybersecurity certification can show recruiters and hiring managers that you have the skills needed for a job in cybersecurity. Preparing for a certification exam gives you a framework for what you need to learn to succeed on the job, and many top organizations offer certifications for entry-level, mid-career, and advanced practitioners.

• Job experience: Another option is to start off in an entry-level IT position, like an IT support specialist, where a degree isn’t always required. As you gain experience in the real world, you may be able to move into a more specialized cybersecurity role.

• Self-teaching: There is no shortage of free or inexpensive online courses on the internet. If you’re self-motivated and enjoy learning independently, it’s possible to develop key cybersecurity skills on your own. If you choose this route, keep in mind that a certificate or other credential may help your resume stand out.

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