Best institutions to study Cyber/Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism
A program focusing on the principles and techniques used to identify, search, seize and analyze digital media and to conduct cyber investigations against criminal and terrorist activity.
126 U.S. institutions graduated 2,457 Cyber/Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 43.0403, a specialization of Security Science and Technology (CIP 43.04), and leads most directly to the Information Security Analysts occupation (BLS SOC 15-1212).
About Cyber/Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism programs
A program focusing on the principles and techniques used to identify, search, seize and analyze digital media and to conduct cyber investigations against criminal and terrorist activity. Includes instruction in computer boot processes and drives, jumper setting, file access and reconstruction, hacking, network systems, cryptography, programming, investigative techniques, forensic imagery, web-based investigation methods, cyberterrorism, and applicable laws and administrative procedures.
See also: 11.1003 - Computer and Information Systems Security/Auditing/Information Assurance.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Cyber/Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism program focuses on the principles and techniques used to investigate cyber crimes and terrorist activities. It is designed for students interested in pursuing a career in homeland security, law enforcement, or related protective services, equipping them with the skills needed to analyze digital media and conduct thorough cyber investigations.
Students will gain knowledge in areas such as computer boot processes, hacking, cryptography, forensic imagery, and applicable laws. Coursework emphasizes critical skills like reading comprehension, critical thinking, and active learning, preparing graduates for the challenges of the cybersecurity landscape.
Credentials awarded
What Cyber/Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree863 graduates / yr · 36 institutions35%
- Bachelor's degree712 graduates / yr · 44 institutions29%
- Associate's degree339 graduates / yr · 32 institutions14%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year228 graduates / yr · 21 institutions9.3%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years205 graduates / yr · 12 institutions8.3%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate104 graduates / yr · 18 institutions4.2%
- Award of less than 12 weeks4 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.2%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
Graduates over time
Cyber/Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 1,423 |
| 2021 | 1,570 |
| 2022 | 1,826 |
| 2023 | 1,930 |
| 2024 | 2,359 |
| 2025 | 2,457 |
Top 50 institutions for Cyber/Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Maryland Global Campus Adelphi, MDPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 137 | 33% | — | $47,496 |
| 2 | Robert Morris University Moon Township, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 132 | 66% | $24,175 | $69,872 |
| 3 | Rose State College Midwest City, OKPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 128 | 20% | — | $58,988 |
| 4 | Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Perkinston, MSPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 119 | 48% | — | — |
| 5 | University of Phoenix - Arizona Phoenix, AZPrivate for-profitMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 90 | 21% | $15,478 | — |
| 6 | Champlain College Burlington, VTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert.Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 85 | 65% | $32,531 | $70,586 |
| 7 | University of Charleston Charleston, WVPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sAssociate's | 83 | 46% | $21,939 | — |
| 8 | National University San Diego, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 75 | 43% | $31,817 | — |
| 9 | Wayne County Community College District Detroit, MIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 68 | 22% | — | — |
| 10 | Sacred Heart University Fairfield, CTPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 64 | 73% | $42,705 | — |
| 11 | Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania Bloomsburg, PAPublicBachelor's | 57 | 54% | — | $52,887 |
| 12 | Excelsior University Albany, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 53 | — | — | — |
| 13 | Sinclair Community College Dayton, OHPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 52 | 41% | — | — |
| 14 | Washington University of Science and Technology Alexandria, VAPrivate for-profitMaster's | 52 | 67% | — | — |
| 15 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 51 | 92% | $26,873 | — |
| 16 | University of San Diego San Diego, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 44 | 84% | $26,035 | — |
| 17 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FLPublicBachelor's | 44 | 86% | — | $58,249 |
| 18 | Eastern Iowa Community College District Davenport, IAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 42 | 45% | — | — |
| 19 | CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice New York, NYPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 39 | 56% | — | $44,092 |
| 20 | Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 38 | 43% | $21,535 | $37,481 |
| 21 | University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Milwaukee, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearPost-degree cert. | 38 | 49% | — | $46,673 |
| 22 | Farmingdale State College Farmingdale, NYPublicBachelor's | 36 | 53% | — | $38,789 |
| 23 | Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 32 | 61% | $35,483 | $37,231 |
| 24 | Western Iowa Tech Community College Sioux City, IAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 30 | 50% | — | — |
| 25 | Rider University Lawrenceville, NJPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 30 | 61% | $23,844 | — |
| 26 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 29 | 68% | — | — |
| 27 | George Mason University Fairfax, VAPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 27 | 68% | — | $42,100 |
| 28 | University of Advancing Technology Tempe, AZPrivate for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 27 | 35% | $21,175 | — |
| 29 | Washington State College of Ohio Marietta, OHPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 26 | 32% | — | — |
| 30 | University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, ALPublicBachelor's | 25 | 64% | — | — |
| 31 | University of the Cumberlands Williamsburg, KYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 25 | 50% | $11,672 | — |
| 32 | Regent University Virginia Beach, VAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 25 | 57% | $18,677 | — |
| 33 | Eastern Illinois University Charleston, ILPublicMaster's | 22 | 47% | — | — |
| 34 | University of Baltimore Baltimore, MDPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 20 | 38% | — | — |
| 35 | Onondaga Community College Syracuse, NYPublicAssociate's | 20 | 27% | — | — |
| 36 | Northeastern State University Tahlequah, OKPublicBachelor's | 20 | 35% | — | — |
| 37 | University of New Haven West Haven, CTPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 19 | 63% | $32,614 | $40,889 |
| 38 | University of Southern Maine Portland, MEPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 19 | 40% | — | — |
| 39 | Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, INPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 18 | 40% | — | — |
| 40 | University of Scranton Scranton, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 18 | 80% | $25,834 | — |
| 41 | Texas A&M University - Kingsville Kingsville, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 17 | 42% | — | — |
| 42 | St. Joseph's University - New York Brooklyn, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 16 | 69% | $17,134 | — |
| 43 | Southwestern Community College Sylva, NCPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 16 | 53% | — | — |
| 44 | University of Hawaii - West Oahu Kapolei, HIPublicBachelor's | 15 | 50% | — | — |
| 45 | Cape Fear Community College Wilmington, NCPublicAssociate's | 14 | 34% | — | — |
| 46 | Guilford Technical Community College Jamestown, NCPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 14 | 31% | — | — |
| 47 | James Madison University Harrisonburg, VAPublicPost-degree cert. | 14 | 80% | — | — |
| 48 | South Piedmont Community College Polkton, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 13 | 38% | — | — |
| 49 | Chestnut Hill College Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 13 | 49% | $29,887 | $46,079 |
| 50 | State University of New York at Plattsburgh Plattsburgh, NYPublicBachelor's | 12 | 59% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Security Science and Technology field (CIP 43.04) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 39 states & territories
Where Cyber/Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism graduates come from. Each state links to all Security Science and Technology programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 15-1212, Information Security Analysts, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program can pursue careers as Information Security Analysts, Detectives, and Criminal Investigators, among others. The job outlook is much faster than average, with a projected growth rate of 28.5%, 16,000 annual openings, and a median wage of $124,910, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 43.0403
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Information Security Analystsprimary SOC 15-1212 | $129,180 | +28.5% Much faster than average | ~16,000 | Bachelor's degree |
Computer Occupations, All Other SOC 15-1299 | $116,580 | +8.2% Much faster than average | ~31,300 | Bachelor's degree |
Detectives and Criminal Investigators SOC 33-3021 | $93,790 | -0.7% Little or no change | ~7,800 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Private Detectives and Investigators SOC 33-9021 | $51,220 | +6.0% Faster than average | ~3,900 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1111 | $76,590 | +2.0% About as fast as average | ~1,200 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Cyber/Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Develop plans to safeguard computer files against accidental or unauthorized modification, destruction, or disclosure and to meet emergency data processing needs.
- Monitor current reports of computer viruses to determine when to update virus protection systems.
- Encrypt data transmissions and erect firewalls to conceal confidential information as it is being transmitted and to keep out tainted digital transfers.
- Perform risk assessments and execute tests of data processing system to ensure functioning of data processing activities and security measures.
- Modify computer security files to incorporate new software, correct errors, or change individual access status.
- Review violations of computer security procedures and discuss procedures with violators to ensure violations are not repeated.
Tools and technology used
Other Security Science and Technology specializations
The 8 other 6-digit CIP codes under Security Science and Technology (CIP 43.04).
- Forensic Science and TechnologyCIP 43.04065,008 graduates / yr239 institutions
- Cybersecurity Defense Strategy/CIP 43.0404
Policy 1,710 graduates / yr66 institutions - Criminalistics and Criminal ScienceCIP 43.0402622 graduates / yr31 institutions
- Financial Forensics and Fraud InvestigationCIP 43.0405284 graduates / yr29 institutions
- Law Enforcement Intelligence AnalysisCIP 43.0408223 graduates / yr15 institutions
- Security Science and TechnologyCIP 43.0401partial data60 graduates / yr6 institutions
- Geospatial IntelligenceCIP 43.0407partial data19 graduates / yr6 institutions
- Security Science and TechnologyCIP 43.0499limited data1 graduates / yr1 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Master's, Bachelor's, or Associate's degree, as well as an award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, active listening, and writing, among others.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as an Information Security Analyst, Detective, or in various computer occupations.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 28.5% and 16,000 annual job openings.
What is the CIP code for Cyber/Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism?+
Cyber/Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism is CIP 43.0403 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Security Science and Technology (CIP 43.04). NCES defines it as: A program focusing on the principles and techniques used to identify, search, seize and analyze digital media and to conduct cyber investigations against criminal and terrorist activity. Includes instruction in computer boot processes and drives, jumper setting, file access and reconstruction, hacking, network systems, cryptography, programming, investigative techniques, forensic imagery, web-based investigation methods, cyberterrorism, and applicable laws and administrative procedures.
How many institutions offer Cyber/Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism programs?+
126 U.S. institutions reported Cyber/Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 39 states & territories, awarding 2,457 credentials in the year. That is 23.7% of all Security Science and Technology graduates.
How much do Cyber/Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Information Security Analysts occupation, which Cyber/Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism most directly leads to, pays a median of $129,180 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Security Science and Technology field report median earnings of $46,673 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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