Best Online Bachelor’s in Cybersecurity in Washington

With technology becoming the lifeblood of small and large organizations alike, the importance of cyber security will likely grow. Individuals and organizations are looking for trusted partners to secure their sensitive information from bad actors as the digital landscape changes and cyber threats become more sophisticated. Thankfully, Washington is home to a robust cyber security sector with some of the best online cybersecurity degree programs.

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Why pursue a cyber security degree in Washington?

There are several reasons to pursue a cyber security degree in Washington, including various program options, delivery formats, networking opportunities, and affordability.

With numerous colleges, universities, and technical schools in Washington, students can choose cyber security programs that fit their educational and professional goals. You’ll have plenty of choices whether you’re interested in earning a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or specialty certification.

Washington cyber security programs are among the most competitive in the United States, offering updated curricula and covering advanced topics, such as network security, ethical hacking, data protection, and cybercrime investigation.

However, due to intensive cybersecurity program curricula in Washington, most are offered exclusively on campus. Fortunately, 3 Washington colleges offer online bachelor’s degrees.

Another advantage of obtaining a cyber security degree in Washington is its number of large technology corporations, including global leaders like Microsoft and Amazon. This means that the state also has a thriving information technology employment sector, especially in Seattle, the world’s coffee capital and home base of big technology companies. There were 184,660 workers in Seattle’s tech industry in 2021.

Washington’s concentration offers distinctive networking possibilities, which is a big help when looking for job opportunities. The state has multiple networking opportunities, such as cyber security events, industry conferences, and workshops. Take a look at InfoSec’s list of Cyber Security Events in Washington.

Lastly, the average in-state tuition at four-year public institutions in Washington was 19,846 in 2020-21, which is lower than the national average of $21,035.

Demand for Cybersecurity Professionals in Washington

According to new statistics from CyberSeek—the cyber security workforce analytics platform created in collaboration by the Lightcast, National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education at NIST, and CompTIA—employer demand for cybersecurity professionals continues to put a strain on the talent pool, and the numbers in Washington are no exception.

Washington has 9,227 total job openings, making the state a hotspot for cyber security job opportunities. The biggest Washington employers are Amazon, Microsoft, and ExtraHop.

Nationwide, most cyber security experts have obtained CompTIA Security+, Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Global InformationAssurance Certification(GIAC), and Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP) certificates to upscale their skills and credentials to become fiercely competitive candidates.

With an annual average salary of $132,820, Washington’s Information Security Analysts are among the highest-paid cyber security professionals in the United States. The salaries of information security professionals in Washington is 18% higher than the national average, making it clear that the state values and rewards the expertise of its cyber security specialists.

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

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

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 for your online bachelor’s degree in cyber security include:

• Mathematics
• Computer Science
• Organization
• Time Management
• Self-Pacing

As an online cyber security bachelor, 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.

What courses will I take with an online bachelor’s in cyber security degree in Washington?

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 cybersecurity include:

Cyber Threat Intelligence

Learn to identify cyber security 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 cyber security 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, including Homeland Security. 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 cyber security online, check out these 5 Ways Online Education Can Be More Effective Than Traditional Classroom Education

What jobs can I do with an online bachelor’s degree in cyber security in Washington?

You can do a lot of jobs in computer and network security with a bachelor’s degree in cyber security in Washington. 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 $164,070 in 2022. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 15% rate of growth by 2032, with 46,900 new jobs added.

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 $126,900 in 2022. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 4% rate of growth by 2032, with 10,200 new jobs added.

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 $112,120 in 2022. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an 8% rate of growth by 2032, with 10,200 new jobs added.

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. It includes maintenance, updates, data management, security, and more.

Network and Computer Systems Administrators earned a median pay of $90,520 in 2022. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 2% rate of growth by 2032, with 19,800 new jobs added.

How long does it take to earn an online bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity in Washington?

It typically takes four to six years, or 120 credits, to earn an online bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity. 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.

Is it cheaper to get a cyber security degree online than through a traditional degree program?

It can be cheaper to get a cyber security 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.

It will be cheaper to get your online bachelor’s degree in cyber security from a public school in your state. 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 cyber security 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.

Do I need to earn a cyber security industry-focused certification?

Yes, you need to pursue certificate programs designed specifically for the cyber security industry. Earning certificates, such as CompTIA Security+, CISSP, GIAC CISA, CIPP, and CISM, will provide you with more credibility and experience.

Washington online cyber security degrees open doors to new employment prospects, develop your skills, and keep you up to date with the most recent market trends and technology in the constantly changing and highly specialized cyber security sector.

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