Best institutions to study Cybersecurity Defense Strategy/Policy
A program that focuses on the study of strategy, policy, and standards regarding the security of and operations in cyberspace.
66 U.S. institutions graduated 1,710 Cybersecurity Defense Strategy/Policy students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 43.0404, a specialization of Security Science and Technology (CIP 43.04), and leads most directly to the First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives occupation (BLS SOC 33-1012).
About Cybersecurity Defense Strategy/Policy programs
A program that focuses on the study of strategy, policy, and standards regarding the security of and operations in cyberspace. Includes instruction in incident response, information assurance, recovery policies, vulnerability reduction, deterrence, threat reduction, and resiliency.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Cybersecurity Defense Strategy/Policy program focuses on the development of strategies, policies, and standards for securing operations in cyberspace. It is designed for students interested in the fields of homeland security, law enforcement, and protective services, equipping them with the necessary skills to address cybersecurity challenges effectively.
Students will gain knowledge in incident response, information assurance, recovery policies, and vulnerability reduction. Coursework emphasizes critical thinking, active learning, and effective communication skills, preparing graduates to navigate complex cybersecurity environments.
Credentials awarded
What Cybersecurity Defense Strategy/Policy graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree689 graduates / yr · 20 institutions40%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year384 graduates / yr · 21 institutions23%
- Master's degree364 graduates / yr · 14 institutions21%
- Associate's degree130 graduates / yr · 14 institutions7.6%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate127 graduates / yr · 10 institutions7.4%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years11 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.6%
- Award of less than 12 weeks3 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.2%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
Graduates over time
Cybersecurity Defense Strategy/Policy completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 124 |
| 2021 | 190 |
| 2022 | 550 |
| 2023 | 709 |
| 2024 | 995 |
| 2025 | 1,710 |
CIP 43.0404 was introduced in CIP 2020, so the series starts when institutions began reporting under the new code.
Top 50 institutions for Cybersecurity Defense Strategy/Policy, 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, MDPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert.Master's | 357 | 33% | — | $47,496 |
| 2 | Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GAPublicMaster'sBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 336 | 52% | — | — |
| 3 | Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, INPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 151 | 40% | — | — |
| 4 | Boise State University Boise, IDPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert.Master's | 125 | 60% | — | — |
| 5 | City University of Seattle Seattle, WAPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 73 | — | $35,049 | — |
| 6 | Ohio University - Main Campus Athens, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 39 | 65% | — | — |
| 7 | Regent University Virginia Beach, VAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 39 | 57% | $18,677 | — |
| 8 | College of DuPage Glen Ellyn, ILPublicAssociate's | 38 | 25% | — | — |
| 9 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MIPublicMaster's | 35 | 81% | — | — |
| 10 | Big Sandy Community and Technical College Prestonsburg, KYPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 34 | 38% | — | — |
| 11 | Excelsior University Albany, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 29 | — | — | — |
| 12 | Baylor University Waco, TXPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 29 | 80% | $35,682 | — |
| 13 | Florida Institute of Technology Melbourne, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 27 | 64% | $33,585 | — |
| 14 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VAPublicPost-degree cert. | 27 | 86% | — | — |
| 15 | Charter College Anchorage, AKPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 25 | 56% | $26,789 | — |
| 16 | Washtenaw Community College Ann Arbor, MIPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 24 | 33% | — | — |
| 17 | Embry - Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide Daytona Beach, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 22 | 21% | $21,266 | $55,259 |
| 18 | Universidad Ana G. Mendez - Carolina Campus Carolina, PRPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 20 | 34% | $8,847 | — |
| 19 | California Baptist University Riverside, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 18 | 62% | $26,940 | — |
| 20 | Charter Oak State College New Britain, CTPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 18 | 67% | — | — |
| 21 | University of South Carolina - Columbia Columbia, SCPublicBachelor's | 16 | 79% | — | — |
| 22 | Empire State University Saratoga Springs, NYPublicMaster's | 15 | 41% | — | — |
| 23 | Universidad Ana G. Mendez - Cupey Campus San Juan, PRPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 15 | 31% | $8,290 | — |
| 24 | Wayland Baptist University Plainview, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sAssociate's | 14 | 19% | $20,754 | — |
| 25 | Bluegrass Community and Technical College Lexington, KYPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 13 | 43% | — | — |
| 26 | Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KYPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 12 | 56% | — | — |
| 27 | Delaware County Community College Media, PAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 12 | 24% | — | — |
| 28 | Edward Waters University Jacksonville, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 10 | 28% | $15,189 | — |
| 29 | Universidad Ana G. Mendez - Gurabo Campus Gurabo, PRPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 10 | 31% | $9,370 | — |
| 30 | Missouri Baptist University Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 9 | 48% | $25,407 | — |
| 31 | Valley Forge Military College Wayne, PAPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 9 | 96% | $21,011 | — |
| 32 | American University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 8 | 75% | $30,225 | — |
| 33 | Bristol Community College Fall River, MAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 8 | 22% | — | — |
| 34 | Canisius University Buffalo, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 8 | 66% | $17,353 | — |
| 35 | San Diego State University San Diego, CAPublicPost-degree cert. | 7 | 76% | — | — |
| 36 | Montana State University Bozeman, MTPublicAssociate's | 7 | 57% | — | — |
| 37 | CET - San Jose San Jose, CAPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 6 | 81% | $17,257 | — |
| 38 | Weber State University Ogden, UTPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 46% | — | — |
| 39 | John Brown University Siloam Springs, ARPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 5 | 72% | $20,325 | — |
| 40 | Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Kutztown, PAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 5 | 54% | — | — |
| 41 | Kent State University at Trumbull Warren, OHPublicAssociate's | 4 | 32% | — | — |
| 42 | YTI Career Institute - York York, PAPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 4 | 45% | $17,792 | — |
| 43 | University of Colorado Colorado Springs Colorado Springs, COPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearPost-degree cert. | 3 | 47% | — | — |
| 44 | Somerset Community College Somerset, KYPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 43% | — | — |
| 45 | Bridgewater State University Bridgewater, MAPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 3 | 53% | — | — |
| 46 | Lamar University Beaumont, TXPublicBachelor's | 3 | 37% | — | — |
| 47 | Concordia University - Wisconsin Mequon, WIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 68% | $24,409 | — |
| 48 | Arizona Western College Yuma, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 20% | — | — |
| 49 | Quincy University Quincy, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 45% | $17,003 | — |
| 50 | Methodist University Fayetteville, NCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 44% | $24,551 | — |
* 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 32 states & territories
Where Cybersecurity Defense Strategy/Policy graduates come from. Each state links to all Security Science and Technology programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 33-1012, First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program can pursue various careers, including roles as First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives. The job outlook is promising, with an annual growth rate of 2.9% and approximately 10,900 annual openings. The median wage for related occupations is around $105,980, typically requiring at least a high school diploma.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 43.0404
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectivesprimary SOC 33-1012 | $106,040 | +2.9% About as fast as average | ~10,900 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Managers, All Other SOC 11-9199 | $141,900 | +4.5% About as fast as average | ~106,700 | Bachelor's degree |
First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other SOC 33-1099 | $76,400 | +1.6% Little or no change | ~2,100 | 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 |
SOC 55-1017 | — | — | — | — |
SOC 55-3018 | — | — | — | — |
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Cybersecurity Defense Strategy/Policy 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
- Supervise and coordinate the investigation of criminal cases, offering guidance and expertise to investigators, and ensuring that procedures are conducted in accordance with laws and regulations.
- Prepare work schedules and assign duties to subordinates.
- Direct collection, preparation, and handling of evidence and personal property of prisoners.
- Investigate and resolve personnel problems within organization and charges of misconduct against staff.
- Explain police operations to subordinates to assist them in performing their job duties.
- Maintain logs, prepare reports, and direct the preparation, handling, and maintenance of departmental records.
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
- Cyber/CIP 43.0403
Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism 2,457 graduates / yr126 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 Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, an Associate's degree, or 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, active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication.
What career opportunities are available?+
Career opportunities include positions as First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives, among others in law enforcement and protective services.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 2.9% and approximately 10,900 openings each year.
What is the CIP code for Cybersecurity Defense Strategy/Policy?+
Cybersecurity Defense Strategy/Policy is CIP 43.0404 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 that focuses on the study of strategy, policy, and standards regarding the security of and operations in cyberspace. Includes instruction in incident response, information assurance, recovery policies, vulnerability reduction, deterrence, threat reduction, and resiliency.
How many institutions offer Cybersecurity Defense Strategy/Policy programs?+
66 U.S. institutions reported Cybersecurity Defense Strategy/Policy graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 32 states & territories, awarding 1,710 credentials in the year. That is 16.5% of all Security Science and Technology graduates.
How much do Cybersecurity Defense Strategy/Policy graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives occupation, which Cybersecurity Defense Strategy/Policy most directly leads to, pays a median of $106,040 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Security Science and Technology field report median earnings of $55,259 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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