by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Computer & IS Security explores Computer And Information Systems Security/auditing/information Assurance. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Assess The Security Needs Of Computer And Network Systems, Recommend Safeguard Solutions, And Manage The Implementation, Auditing, And Maintenance Of Security Devices, Systems, And Procedures. Includes Instruction In Computer Architecture, Programming, And Systems Analysis; Networking; Telecommunications; Cryptography; Security System Auditing And Design; Applicable Law And Regulations; Risk Assessment And Policy Analysis; Contingency Planning; User Access Issues; Investigation Techniques; And Troubleshooting. Examples: [Information Assurance], [It Security], [Internet Security], [Network Security], [Information Systems Security], [Information Systems Auditing And Control]. Continue reading for the key facts every computer & is security major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering computer & is security programs.
Nationwide, computer & is security is a widely-pursued major, with 38,088 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Computer & IS Security Schools ranking analyzes these 841 schools to determine the best overall colleges for computer & is security students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of computer & is security programs later in this article.
Programs in Computer & IS Security develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations computer & is security graduates commonly enter.
The skill set built by a computer & is security program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a computer & is security major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several computer & is security degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 2,133 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 6,070 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 11,709 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 17,673 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 137 |
People currently working in careers related to computer & is security tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 57.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 10.4% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 10.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 8.8% |
| Master’s degree | 5.9% |
| Some college courses | 5.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.2% |
| First professional degree | 0.6% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.4% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.1% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in computer & is security careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in computer & is security opens doors to a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to computer & is security.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to computer & is security.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Information Security Analysts | 583,513 | 12.3% |
| Database Architects | 335,771 | 4.3% |
| Telecommunications Engineering Specialists | 242,585 | 5.7% |
| Database Administrators | 183,075 | 3.4% |
| Computer Network Architects | 144,537 | -0.0% |
| Computer Network Support Specialists | 128,152 | -3.8% |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | 127,373 | -4.0% |
| Data Warehousing Specialists | 113,258 | 3.9% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of computer & is security graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $64,248 |
| 4 years | $56,780 |
| 5 years | $64,307 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for computer & is security graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers computer & is security grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $175,079 |
| Database Architects | $148,480 |
| Telecommunications Engineering Specialists | $117,478 |
| Data Warehousing Specialists | $117,424 |
| Information Security Analysts | $111,930 |
| Computer Network Support Specialists | $107,799 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $99,018 |
| Database Administrators | $79,696 |
With 841 different computer & is security programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased computer & is security school rankings to help you.
Those considering computer & is security, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
