What will I learn in an online bachelor’s degree in cyber security program in Idaho?–

With an online bachelor’s degree in cyber security program, you’ll learn specific subjects like software development and systems administration while also strengthening your math and computer science skills. You will learn important but complicated topics like: Cryptography Software Programming Data Analytics Network Security Information Security Systems Administration National Security Policy. Key learning skills that you will gain while earning your online bachelor’s degree in cyber security include: Mathematics Computer Science Organization Time Management Self-Pacing. As an online cyber security student in Idaho, you’ll learn to: Analyze network components including software and hardware. Identify system vulnerabilities through a combination of technological and analytical insight. Create solutions for system vulnerabilities. Navigate the ethical and policy issues related to the cyber security profession. Provide both short-term and long-term organizational strategies for managing cyber security challenges.

Best Online Bachelor’s in Cybersecurity in Idaho

Badge for BEST ONLINE CYBERSECURITY BACHELOR'S IN IDAHO

By Dr. James Barham

Published: Jun 20, 2022
Updated: Jan 17, 2024

Idaho's Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity Programs

Boise State University

Boise State University

Boise State University 84%

Boise State University 20 to 1

Boise State University $5,532

Boise State University $7,236

Boise State University

Boise State University

Boise State University 84%

Boise State University 20 to 1

Boise State University $5,532

Boise State University $7,236

Table of Contents

Idaho is famous for being “The Gem State.” Historically, a significant portion of Idaho’s revenue has come from tourism. However, over the past few decades, Idaho has become home to several science and technology companies spanning various industries, including aerospace, software development, and biotechnology.

Despite being new and relatively small, Idaho’s cybersecurity sector is still active and involved and colleges and universities are slowly beginning to offer online cybersecurity degree programs.

For the full list of the best colleges and universities in Idaho, check out our ranking.

Featured Programs

Cybersecurity: A Top Degree for the Next Decade

The Cybersecurity workforce is vastly growing worldwide. But it’s not that big yet in Idaho. Still, those who pursue a cyber defense education can apply for six-digit positions in the cybersecurity industry in Idaho.

Information security jobs are among the most common career paths for cybersecurity degree graduates. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that this field will grow by 35% over the next 10 years. That’s much faster than average career growth.

Moreover, Information Security Analysts have an average median annual salary of $102,600—it’s a good time to prepare yourself to compete in the cybersecurity job market in Idaho. That’s why we’ve ranked online cybersecurity degree programs as the #1 degree for jobs over the next decade.

Cybersecurity is a relatively new but very fast-paced industry. And it’s only becoming more crucial for for-profit and nonprofit businesses, organizations, governments, the military, and individuals. You can read more about the urgency for cybersecurity experts in our interview with world-leading cyber security expert Isaac Ben-Israel.

It is astounding to consider that, as late as 2011, no universities were available for official cybersecurity education anywhere globally, including Israel and the US. This was the stark reality just ten years ago. But today, you’ll be able to encounter several online cybersecurity colleges.

If you are still wondering if a cybersecurity bachelor’s degree is worth it, we answer that, and we can give you the playbook for how to become a cybersecurity analyst.

Career and Job Outlook for Bachelor’s in Cybersecurity Graduates in Idaho

Unlike most other states, the demand for fresh infosec experts is currently not vastly outpacing the supply of qualified individuals in Idaho. This is one of the few reasons why there’s a limited number of cybersecurity degrees in Idaho.

5,893 state citizens are working in some capacity related to information security. Idaho firms listed 5,376 job vacancies. The Boise City region was the busiest, followed by Coeur d’Alene, Pocatello, and Idaho Falls.

Employers are paying roughly in line with the relative cost of living in the state of Idaho when using security analysts as a gauge for the cybersecurity pay scale in the state. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that their average hourly earnings was $37.37, and the average annual salary was $84,430.

Idaho Colleges Answering the Demand for Cybersecurity Degrees Online

In his 2020 State of the State address, Idaho’s Governor Brad Little noted the state’s urgent need for cybersecurity experts. But because Idaho’s cybersecurity sector is currently not as big as its tourism, there aren’t many possibilities for cybersecurity degrees and certifications in the state. While there are three on-campus cybersecurity bachelor’s degree programs in Idaho, we’ve only identified 1 college with an online delivery format.

Online degrees offer students in Idaho maximum flexibility and convenience so they can study while working. And you don’t have to sacrifice quality. This program is offered by one of Idaho’s top ranked colleges, Boise State University.

For more about Idaho colleges visit The Best Colleges in Idaho.

Jump to Ranking

Frequently Asked Questions About Online Bachelor’s in Cyber Security in Idaho

With an online bachelor’s degree in cyber security program, you’ll learn specific subjects like software development and systems administration while also strengthening your math and computer science skills.

You will learn important but complicated topics like:

Cryptography
Software Programming
Data Analytics
Network Security
Information Security
Systems Administration
National Security Policy

Key learning skills that you will gain while earning your online bachelor’s degree in cyber security include:

Mathematics
Computer Science
Organization
Time Management
Self-Pacing

As an online cyber security student in Idaho, you’ll learn to:

Analyze network components including software and hardware.
Identify system vulnerabilities through a combination of technological and analytical insight.
Create solutions for system vulnerabilities.
Navigate the ethical and policy issues related to the cyber security profession.
Provide both short-term and long-term organizational strategies for managing cyber security challenges.

As an online bachelor’s in cyber security student, you’ll take courses in areas like network security, risk assessment, and digital surveillance. Popular online courses in cyber security include:

Cyber Threat Intelligence

Learn to identify cybersecurity threats and the techniques used by bad actors to attack secure networks. Study ethical hacking methodologies, permissions management, threat assessment reporting, and more.

National Security Policy

Learn the laws, policies, and practices shaping the cybersecurity profession in the United States. Study American cyber security policy as well as international policy and policy approaches in other nations.

Enterprise Risk Management

Learn how to analyze security conditions for commercial enterprises to identify vulnerabilities and provide solutions. Study best practices as well as legal and ethical responsibilities in creating network security strategies.

Network Security Administration

Learn how to assess, operate, and improve network security information for private, public, or non-profit organizations. Study cloud security, information security, systems auditing and more.

Digital Forensics

Learn how to investigate cybercrime and produce evidence to be used in prosecuting these crimes. Study the tools, techniques, and principles driving digital forensics investigation.

If the online bachelor’s degree in cyber security is your first experience with online education, check out our 10 Tips for Adjusting to School Online.

And for a look at some of the advantages of pursuing your bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity online, check out these 5 Ways Online Education Can Be More Effective Than Traditional Classroom Education

In addition to becoming an information security analyst, graduates are qualified for numerous jobs in computer and network security with an online bachelor’s in cybersecurity degree. The bachelor’s degree in cyber security is the basic qualification for students who want to become:

Computer and Information Systems Managers

As a Computer and Information Systems Manager, you will plan, coordinate, and lead a wide range of computer-related activities in your organization including network security, permissions management, database management, and more. Computer and Information Systems Managers earned a median pay of $159,010 in 2021. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an 11% rate of growth by 2030, with 52,700 new jobs added.

Median Annual Salary: $159,010
Expected Job Growth: 11%

Computer Network Architects

As a Computer Network Architect, you will design and build data communication networks. This includes local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs) and Intranets, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The BLS also notes that computer network architects earned a median pay of $120,520 in 2021. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also projects a 5% rate of growth by 2030, with 9000 new jobs added.

Median Annual Salary: $120,520
Expected Job Growth: 5%

Database Administrators and Architects

As a Database Administrator or Architect, you will work within an organization to create, organize, and oversee the systems used to both store data and keep this data secure. Database Administrators and Architects earned a median pay of $98,860 in 2021. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an 8% rate of growth by 2030, with 13,200 new jobs added.

Median Annual Salary: $98,860
Expected Job Growth: 8%

Network and Computer Systems Administrators

As a Network and Computer Systems Administrator, you are responsible for both the daily and long-term operation and oversight of internal network and computer systems for your organization. This includes maintenance, updates, data management, security, and more. Network and Computer Systems Administrators earned a median pay of $80,600 in 2021. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 5% rate of growth by 2030, with 18,800 new jobs added.

Median Annual Salary: $80,600
Expected Job Growth: 5%

It takes four to six years, or 120 credits, to earn an online bachelor’s in cybersecurity degree. Some online programs may offer accelerated or self-paced options where you can earn your online bachelor’s degree in as little as 18 to 24 months.

It can be cheaper to get a cybersecurity degree online if you go to a public school in your state. Colleges and universities have tuition discounts for in-state students.

Online students get these same in-state discounts. Your tuition for the online degree will be the same, or slightly more, than the tuition for an in-person degree. But you will save on expenses like housing, transportation, and certain campus fees. Your online bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity will be cheaper if you get an in-state discount and save on these expenses.

For more, check out our Guide to the Cost of Online College vs. On-Campus College.

If you need more answers to frequently asked questions about online degrees, we can help.

For detailed information on accreditation, financial aid, college applications and more, check out our Complete Guide to Applying for College.

What are the accreditation options for bachelors in cybersecurity degree programs in Idaho?

Bachelor’s degree programs in cybersecurity, online and on-campus, do not have a designated programmatic accreditation. However, the colleges and universities that offer the programs should be accredited by a Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)-certified agency. In this case, the accrediting agency is the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

The National Centers of Academic Excellence is a National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security initiative, recognizing top-notch cybersecurity programs in the United States. Numerous Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) exist nationwide.

How do we determine the best online bachelor's in cybersecurity in Idaho?

Methodology

Pursuing your degree online doesn’t mean you need to settle for an inferior school. Today, most universities and colleges offer online degrees, and many respected schools are seeing significant growth in their numbers of online students.

The people affiliated with a school are ultimately what make it great. This is why influence — i.e., the academic impact of faculty and alumni associated with a school — gets at the heart of what is truly best in education. The combined influence score of a college or university’s top academic influencers is the best indicator of academic excellence. For our online degree rankings, we focus on the academic influence of faculty and alumni in the specific disciplines we’re ranking.

If you are serious about finding the best online colleges, you should be asking where the most influential professors are teaching, and whether their graduates themselves are advancing the school’s reputation for academic excellence. Most ranking sites rely on an opaque combination of reputation surveys and arbitrary performance metrics. Influence, as measured by our InfluenceRanking engine, provides a ranking that is free from bias, insulated from manipulation, and reflective of real-world educational outcomes.

Best Online Bachelor’s in Cybersecurity Programs in Idaho

#1
Boise State University
Boise , ID
#2 Most Affordable Colleges in Idaho 2024 #2 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #2 Best Grad Schools in Idaho 2024 #2 Best Research Universities in Idaho 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$8K
Acceptance
84%
Graduation
60%
Student body
32K
Career Outlook for Cybersecurity degree at Boise State University
Cost of Degree: $8,364
Expenses: $20,352
Starting Salary: $54,326
Salary after 4 years: $70,493
Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
Boise State University is located in Idaho’s rapidly growing capital city. Boise State is a public, metropolitan research university that provides students with a top-tier education, an accomplished faculty, and hands-on student services.
Due to Idaho’s growing demand for cybersecurity professionals, Boise State and other competitive higher education institutions in the state have started offering various cybersecurity educational opportunities. In particular, Boise State offers five new cybersecurity programs approved by the Idaho State Board of Education. Thanks to its continuous efforts, the academic institution was able to land industry partnerships and move ahead with developing courses.
Boise State University is the only institution to offer an online cybersecurity program. The Bachelor of Science in Cyber Operations & Resilience is a 100% online degree program completed through asynchronous, seven-week courses.
Online students will participate in several experiential learning activities in operating systems, information technology and cybersecurity technologies, strategies, and processes through the Online Cyber Operations and Resilience Learning Lab. The curriculum allows students to gain practical skills and learn how to create secure and dependable systems.
Moreover, students will have the opportunity to pursue internships in one of Boise’s industry partners. Cisco Networking Academy, Palo Alto Academy, and VMware IT Academy have all joined Boise’s growing roster of partners and provide students in the cybersecurity bachelor’s degree program with free access to training materials.
To expand educational opportunities for students interested in studying cybersecurity at the undergraduate and graduate levels, the university recently secured a $800,000 workforce grant.
Students can further specialize in their degrees by pursuing a basic technical certificate that best aligns with their career goals. Certifications offered:
- Cyber Operations
- Applied Computing, Systems, and Network
Online Cybersecurity Degrees
BS in Cyber Operations and Resilience

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
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Career Outlook for Students with Cybersecurity Degree

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Computer And Information Systems Security/Auditing/Information Assurance

Degree Level: Bachelor's

Location: Idaho (Private Schools)
Avg. Cost of Degree*: $16,354
Avg. Expenses*: $14,503
Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $63,244
Avg. Cost Recoup Time**: 10 years
Job Growth: 11.36%
Number of Jobs: 1,573,500
* denotes ‘annually’
** denotes ‘at 15% of annual salary’

Career Salaries

Career	Job Growth	Avg. Salary
Database Architects	10.00%	$132,260
Computer and Information Systems Managers	15.41%	$120,650
Information Security Analysts	31.56%	$103,450
Managers, All Other	3.35%	$84,830
Computer Network Architects	3.55%	$83,230
Network and Computer Systems Administrators	2.44%	$76,750
Project Management Specialists	6.21%	$76,100
Computer Occupations, All Other	9.72%	$73,940
Database Administrators	7.04%	$67,110
Web Developers	16.90%	$66,930

Average Career Salaries

Bottom 10%	Median	Top 10%
$52,607	$86,194	$136,852

Promising Job Markets

State	Cost of Living	Avg. Salary
#39 Idaho	7% higher than average	$86,194
#2 Georgia	13% higher than average	$108,150
#3 Virginia	5% higher than average	$117,193
#4 North Carolina	11% higher than average	$105,853
#5 Texas	10% higher than average	$105,429
#6 Washington	7% higher than average	$124,389
#7 New York	5% higher than average	$121,625
#8 Delaware	2% higher than average	$118,825
#9 Ohio	14% higher than average	$97,668
#10 Illinois	7% higher than average	$104,714
#11 Minnesota	4% higher than average	$106,067
#12 Colorado	3% higher than average	$113,445
#13 Michigan	15% higher than average	$93,068
#14 Alabama	13% higher than average	$93,644
#15 Missouri	16% higher than average	$90,354
#16 New Jersey	13% higher than average	$120,978
#17 Arizona	5% higher than average	$100,039
#18 New Mexico	7% higher than average	$97,539
#19 Florida	6% higher than average	$98,353
#20 Tennessee	14% higher than average	$88,420
#21 Pennsylvania	5% higher than average	$97,685
#22 South Dakota	7% higher than average	$94,668
#23 Iowa	9% higher than average	$92,793
#24 Oklahoma	13% higher than average	$88,555
#25 South Carolina	8% higher than average	$93,780
#26 Utah	4% higher than average	$97,483
#27 Wisconsin	7% higher than average	$94,777
#28 Maryland	18% higher than average	$118,732
#29 California	26% higher than average	$126,026
#30 Kansas	9% higher than average	$90,746
#31 Kentucky	14% higher than average	$85,084
#32 West Virginia	11% higher than average	$86,006
#33 Massachusetts	24% higher than average	$119,614
#34 Connecticut	18% higher than average	$113,007
#35 Mississippi	18% higher than average	$78,418
#36 New Hampshire	13% higher than average	$106,211
#37 Rhode Island	20% higher than average	$112,099
#38 Indiana	11% higher than average	$82,896
#39 Nebraska	6% higher than average	$87,308
#40 Idaho	7% higher than average	$86,194
#41 Louisiana	9% higher than average	$83,197
#42 Arkansas	16% higher than average	$77,359
#43 Oregon	11% higher than average	$100,934
#44 North Dakota	average	$85,440
#45 Nevada	5% higher than average	$87,162
#46 Wyoming	2% higher than average	$80,980
#47 District of Columbia	49% higher than average	$122,905
#48 Montana	3% higher than average	$79,120
#49 Maine	9% higher than average	$88,864
#50 Alaska	23% higher than average	$97,396
#51 Vermont	13% higher than average	$88,412
#52 Hawaii	40% higher than average	$96,358

Top Industries

Industry	Avg. Salary
Database Architects	$132,260
Computer and Information Systems Managers	$120,650
Information Security Analysts	$103,450
Managers, All Other	$84,830
Computer Network Architects	$83,230
Network and Computer Systems Administrators	$76,750
Project Management Specialists	$76,100
Computer Occupations, All Other	$73,940
Database Administrators	$67,110
Web Developers	$66,930

Data from The Bureau of Labor Statistics, The Department of Education College Scorecard, The Department of Education NCES, and The Council for Community and Economic Research.

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