Virginia ranks first in the country for both population (11,550) and concentration of information security analysts, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Virginia IS workers also earn $10k more than the national average of $93k, and senior-level positions command premier salaries. As previously mentioned, the majority of jobs are government-related in Northern Virginia. The largest hub is Arlington, home to twenty federal agencies including the Department of Defense, Bureau of Diplomatic Security, Defense Information Systems Agency, and Transportation Security Administration. From there, Herndon, McLean, Reston, and Chantilly are the next-to-largest talent magnets; and beyond government agencies, prominent cyber defense and security contractors include Booz Allen Hamilton, General Dynamics Information Technology, ManTech International Corporation, CACI, and Leidos. Still, not all Virginia jobs are defense-oriented. Healthcare, financial services, and other industries are excellent job sources for security professionals interested in the private sector.

CYBER SECURITY DEGREES IN VIRGINIA

A dozen schools offer certificates in cyber security, including Old Dominion University, Radford University, Virginia Tech (which also offers a minor), University of Virginia, and University of Richmond, among others.

Strayer University, Regent University, Marymount University, and ECPI University offer bachelor’s degrees in Cyber Security, including specializations in Digital Forensics and Network Security.

For those interested in advanced programs, eight schools offer master’s tracks in cyber security specializations: George Mason University, Liberty University, Virginia Commonwealth University, James Madison University, Hampton University, Marymount University, Strayer University, and University of Fairfax. Fairfax also has a unique Doctorate in Information Assurance, one of the few of its kind in the country.

Best Cyber Security Colleges in Virginia for 2020

1	University of Virginia-Main Campus	Charlottesville, VA		University of Virginia-Main Campus offers 1 Cyber Security Degree program. It’s a large public university in a small suburb. In 2015, 2 students graduated in the study area of Cyber Security with students earning 2 Certificates degrees.	Based on 60 Reviews
2	George Mason University	Fairfax, VA		George Mason University offers 2 Cyber Security Degree programs. It’s a large public university in a large suburb. In 2015, 51 students graduated in the study area of Cyber Security with students earning 51 Master’s degrees.	Based on 36 Reviews
3	Liberty University	Lynchburg, VA		Liberty University offers 1 Cyber Security Degree program. It’s a large private university in a small city. In 2015, 2 students graduated in the study area of Cyber Security with students earning 2 Certificates degrees.	Based on 44 Reviews
4	Virginia Commonwealth University	Richmond, VA		Virginia Commonwealth University offers 1 Cyber Security Degree program. It’s a large public university in a mid sized city. In 2015, 5 students graduated in the study area of Cyber Security with students earning 5 Master’s degrees.	Based on 44 Reviews
5	Hampton University	Hampton, VA		Hampton University offers 1 Cyber Security Degree program. It’s a medium sized private university in a mid sized city. In 2015, 3 students graduated in the study area of Cyber Security with students earning 3 Master’s degrees.