How Hard is a Cybersecurity Degree?

 

 infosec engineer

This article is about the difficulty level of most cybersecurity degrees. To see our article on the most important classes in cybersecurity degrees, see our article here. To see the expected cost of cybersecurity degrees, go here.

A lot of people ask if a cyber security degree is a difficult degree to obtain.  Obviously, it is true that some degrees tend to be more difficult than others. Since cyber security is a newer degree option available at most colleges, I decided to take a look and see how difficult a cyber security degree is compared to other degree majors.

So, is a cyber security degree difficult?  A cyber security degree typically has average to above average difficulty compared to other degree programs.  Cyber security degrees tend to be more challenging than non-research type majors, such as programs in the humanities or business, but are usually not as difficult as degrees in research or lab intensive areas, such as science and engineering.

Let’s take a look at the specific parts of a cyber security degree that make it easier or more challenging than other options, and whether a degree in cyber security may be for you.

Why a cyber security degree is easier than some other options

When comparing college programs at the associate or bachelor’s degree level, an objective review indicates that most cyber security programs are not as difficult as many programs in science and engineering related areas.  Specifically, degrees in fields such as biochemistry, physics, mechanical engineering and even computer science appear to be more challenging than common degree programs in cyber security. Here are a few reasons why.

Math and science requirements are easier

The first factor that indicates a cyber security program may be less difficult than the other majors listed above is that most cyber security programs that were reviewed did not require higher level math or science general education classes.  In many cases, cyber security programs were limited to one lab-based science requirement and a math course requirement that was lower level, such as college math or statistics. Most programs did not require higher level or multiple science classes or a higher level math, such as calculus.  

In comparison, all of the science and engineering programs reviewed, including those in computer science, either recommended or require at least one level of calculus and multiple lab-based science courses.  These courses are often the most challenging for students enrolling for the first time in college or returning to college after an extended period of time. If you pursue a degree in cyber security, you can often find a path to graduation without being required to take calculus, chemistry or other subjects known to be challenging.