by our College Data Analytics TeamFind out the key facts every cyber/computer forensics and counterterrorism. major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering cyber/computer forensics and counterterrorism. programs.
In the U.S., cyber/computer forensics and counterterrorism. is a widely-pursued major, with 2,377 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Cyber/Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism. Schools ranking analyzes these 113 schools to determine the best overall colleges for cyber/computer forensics and counterterrorism. students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of cyber/computer forensics and counterterrorism. programs later in this article.
Studies in Cyber/Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism. emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations cyber/computer forensics and counterterrorism. graduates commonly enter.
The skill set built by a cyber/computer forensics and counterterrorism. program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a cyber/computer forensics and counterterrorism. major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several cyber/computer forensics and counterterrorism. 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 | 194 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 379 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 713 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,091 |
People currently working in careers related to cyber/computer forensics and counterterrorism. tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 39.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 16.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 11.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 10.0% |
| Some college courses | 9.5% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 6.3% |
| Master’s degree | 4.2% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.3% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.7% |
| Doctoral degree | 0.3% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in cyber/computer forensics and counterterrorism. careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in cyber/computer forensics and counterterrorism. opens doors to many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to cyber/computer forensics and counterterrorism..
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to cyber/computer forensics and counterterrorism..
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Information Security Analysts | 583,513 | 12.3% |
| Computer Systems Engineers/Architects | 576,059 | -1.9% |
| Information Security Engineers | 575,902 | -3.8% |
| Blockchain Engineers | 556,747 | 5.1% |
| Information Technology Project Managers | 543,383 | -3.4% |
| Police Identification and Records Officers | 532,882 | 7.1% |
| Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians | 530,023 | -1.9% |
| Web Administrators | 510,685 | 0.7% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of cyber/computer forensics and counterterrorism. graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $51,422 |
| 4 years | $49,125 |
| 5 years | $55,237 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for cyber/computer forensics and counterterrorism. graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers cyber/computer forensics and counterterrorism. grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $159,837 |
| Document Management Specialists | $147,490 |
| Information Security Engineers | $142,543 |
| Computer Systems Engineers/Architects | $140,795 |
| Information Technology Project Managers | $124,655 |
| Blockchain Engineers | $123,667 |
| Digital Forensics Analysts | $119,226 |
| Information Security Analysts | $111,930 |
With 113 different cyber/computer forensics and counterterrorism. programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased cyber/computer forensics and counterterrorism. school rankings to help you.
Those considering cyber/computer forensics and counterterrorism., you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
