Cybersecurity Defense Strategy: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Cybersecurity Defense Strategy is a specialized academic program centered on the development and implementation of comprehensive approaches to safeguard digital environments. It equips learners with the analytical and strategic frameworks needed to anticipate, mitigate, and respond to evolving cyber threats across complex technological ecosystems.
- Incident Response: Techniques and protocols for identifying, containing, and recovering from cybersecurity breaches to minimize damage and restore operations swiftly.
- Information Assurance: Principles and practices ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data across networks and systems.
- Recovery Policies: Strategic planning and execution methods to restore critical systems and data following a cyber incident or disruption.
- Vulnerability Reduction: Proactive identification and mitigation of system weaknesses to lower the risk of exploitation by malicious actors.
- Deterrence Strategies: Policy-driven and technical approaches designed to discourage potential adversaries from launching cyber attacks.
- Threat Reduction: Analytical and operational methods to detect, assess, and neutralize emerging cyber threats before they cause harm.
- Resiliency Engineering: Design and deployment of adaptive systems capable of withstanding, recovering from, and continuing to function under cyber stress or attack.
Cybersecurity Defense Strategy Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Cybersecurity Defense Strategy Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Cybersecurity Defense Strategy degrees, including Managers, All Other, First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives and First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 818,130 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Managers, All Other 11-9199 | $136,550 | $68,860 - $227,590 | 630,980 | $65.65 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives 33-1012 | $105,980 | $62,370 - $165,050 | 153,130 | $50.95 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other 33-1099 | $74,960 | $40,750 - $102,360 | 20,460 | $36.04 |
| Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1111 | $71,470 | $45,640 - $143,130 | 13,560 | N/A |
Cybersecurity Defense Strategy Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $65,880 in Arkansas to $139,463 in California—a 112% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Colorado, and New York. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 818,130 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Cybersecurity Defense Strategy by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 51 institutions offering Cybersecurity Defense Strategy programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Cybersecurity Defense Strategy is found at Kennesaw State University (KSU) (302 graduates), Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) (148 graduates), Boise State University (BBU) (104 graduates), Washtenaw Community College (WCC) (38 graduates), and Excelsior University (33 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 999 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kennesaw State University (KSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Other Award
|
302 | Kennesaw, Georgia | Public | kennesaw.edu |
| Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) |
Other Award
|
148 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | ivytech.edu |
| Boise State University (BBU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
104 | Boise, Idaho | Public | boisestate.edu |
| Washtenaw Community College (WCC) |
Associate's
|
38 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | wccnet.edu |
| Excelsior University |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
33 | Albany, New York | Private | excelsior.edu |
| Regent University |
Bachelor's
|
32 | Virginia Beach, Virginia | Private | regent.edu |
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Master's
|
31 | East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) |
Postbac Cert.
|
26 | Blacksburg, Virginia | Public | vt.edu |
| Bristol Community College |
Other Award
|
21 | Fall River, Massachusetts | Public | bristolcc.edu |
| Universidad Ana G. Mendez (UAGM Carolina) |
Other Award
|
21 | Carolina, Puerto Rico | Private | uagm.edu |
| City University of Seattle (CityU) |
Other Award
|
20 | Seattle, Washington | Private | cityu.edu |
| Ohio University (OHIO) |
Other Award
|
17 | Athens, Ohio | Public | ohio.edu |
| Charter Oak State College |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
16 | New Britain, Connecticut | Public | charteroak.edu |
| Polytech Adult Education |
Residency
|
15 | Woodside, Delaware | Public | polytechworks.com |
| Charter College |
Associate's
|
12 | Anchorage, Alaska | Private | chartercollege.edu |
| Baylor University |
Postbac Cert.
|
11 | Waco, Texas | Private | baylor.edu |
| Montana State University (MSU) |
Associate's
|
10 | Bozeman, Montana | Public | montana.edu |
| John Brown University (JBU) |
Master's
|
9 | Siloam Springs, Arkansas | Private | jbu.edu |
| Canisius University |
Master's
|
9 | Buffalo, New York | Private | canisius.edu |
| Delaware County Community College (DCCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Other Award
|
9 | Media, Pennsylvania | Public | dccc.edu |
| Valley Forge Military College (VFMC) |
Associate's
|
8 | Wayne, Pennsylvania | Private | vfmac.edu |
| California Baptist University (CBU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Riverside, California | Private | calbaptist.edu |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) |
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
|
7 | Colorado Springs, Colorado | Public | uccs.edu |
| Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
7 | Lexington, Kentucky | Public | bluegrass.kctcs.edu |
| Western Kentucky University (WKU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
7 | Bowling Green, Kentucky | Public | wku.edu |
| Carl Albert State College (CASC) |
Associate's
|
7 | Poteau, Oklahoma | Public | carlalbert.edu |
| Concordia University-Wisconsin (CUW) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Mequon, Wisconsin | Private | cuw.edu |
| Big Sandy Community and Technical College (BSCTC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
6 | Prestonsburg, Kentucky | Public | bigsandy.kctcs.edu |
| American University (AU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
5 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | american.edu |
| Bridgewater State University (BSU) |
Residency
|
5 | Bridgewater, Massachusetts | Public | bridgew.edu |
| West Liberty University (WLU) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | West Liberty, West Virginia | Public | westliberty.edu |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University |
Master's
|
5 | Daytona Beach, Florida | Private | worldwide.erau.edu |
| San Diego State University (SDSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | San Diego, California | Public | sdsu.edu |
| Kent State University |
Associate's
|
3 | New Philadelphia, Ohio | Public | kent.edu |
| Kutztown University of Pennsylvania (KU) |
Other Award
|
3 | Kutztown, Pennsylvania | Public | kutztown.edu |
| University of South Carolina (USC) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Columbia, South Carolina | Public | sc.edu |
| University of Wisconsin |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Whitewater, Wisconsin | Public | uww.edu |
| Somerset Community College (SCC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Somerset, Kentucky | Public | somerset.kctcs.edu |
| Lasell University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Newton, Massachusetts | Private | lasell.edu |
| Missouri Baptist University (MBU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | mobap.edu |
| Empire State University |
Master's
|
2 | Saratoga Springs, New York | Public | sunyempire.edu |
| Methodist University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Fayetteville, North Carolina | Private | methodist.edu |
| Kent State University |
Associate's
|
2 | Warren, Ohio | Public | kent.edu |
| Wayland Baptist University (WBU) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
2 | Plainview, Texas | Private | wbu.edu |
| Quincy University (QU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Quincy, Illinois | Private | quincy.edu |
| Central Michigan University (CMU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Mount Pleasant, Michigan | Public | cmich.edu |
| Queens University of Charlotte |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Charlotte, North Carolina | Private | queens.edu |
| Defiance College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Defiance, Ohio | Private | defiance.edu |
| Kent State University |
Associate's
|
1 | North Canton, Ohio | Public | kent.edu |
| Kent State University |
Associate's
|
1 | Burton, Ohio | Public | kent.edu |
| Lamar University (LU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Beaumont, Texas | Public | lamar.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Cybersecurity Defense Strategy programs
How much can I earn with a Cybersecurity Defense Strategy degree?
Salaries for Cybersecurity Defense Strategy graduates vary by role and location. Managers, All Other earn a median of $136,550 annually, while First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives earn around $105,980. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $139,463 compared to $65,880 in Arkansas. Approximately 818,130 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Cybersecurity Defense Strategy programs?
Currently 52 accredited institutions offer Cybersecurity Defense Strategy degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Kennesaw State University (KSU) (302 graduates), Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) (148 graduates), and Boise State University (BBU) (104 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
What career paths are available with a Cybersecurity Defense Strategy degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Managers, All Other, First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives, and First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other. Related occupations employ approximately 818,130 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
Related Security & Safety Programs
Explore similar degree programs within the Security & Safety field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.
Geospatial Intelligence
A program that prepares individuals to analyze security and intelligence problems using a geographic perspective by relating human actions to cultural, political, economic,...
Law Enforcement Intelligence Analysis
A program focusing on the preparation of law enforcement personnel to perform intelligence and surveillance operations and to analyze and use data collected...
Security Science and Technology
Any instructional program in security science and technology not listed above.
Protective Services
Any instructional program in homeland security, law enforcement, firefighting, and related protective services not listed above.
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Instructional content for this group of programs is defined in codes 43.0100 - 43.0199.
CNC Machinist Technology
A program that prepares individuals to study the theories and principles, of correctional science and to function as professional corrections officers and other...