Cybersecurity
Bachelor of Science
Secure cyberspace
Learn to defend against sophisticated cyberattacks by earning a degree from Idaho’s only cybersecurity bachelor's program. As a cybersecurity major, you will gain the skills and knowledge to strengthen defense, enhance protection and detect and respond to threats against computer systems, networks, hardware, programs and digital data. Explore topics like computer forensics, and improve system assurance through topics like network security, types of cyberattacks, operating systems and security tools. You can also participate in leading cybersecurity-industry research and build defenses against real-world cyber threats.
As one of the National Security Agency’s first seven National Centers of Academic Excellence in cyber defense education, U of I is a leader in advanced cybersecurity training and offers one of the nation’s few comprehensive cybersecurity programs. Our graduates have in-demand expertise to protect computer networks from hackers while defending individual privacy and intellectual property, securing infrastructure critical to our state and nation, supporting strong cybersecurity governance practices, and developing secure software and computing systems.
View the sample four-year plan for this degree.
Overview
Related Topics
Code the world
Degree roadmap
Receive your undergraduate cybersecurity education from faculty and staff who treat you like an individual while providing first-rate academic opportunities to help you achieve your professional goals and satisfy your academic interests.
Through technical and free electives, you’ll develop your individual interests.
In your last year of study, you’ll participate in our nationally recognized Senior Capstone Design Program culminating each spring with the Engineering Design EXPO.
First-year undergraduates — Our professional advisors can help you learn more about degree options, select a major, Identify required and elective courses and build a plan toward graduation. As you get further into your degree, you’ll transition to a faculty advisor.
Transfer students — If you have 13 or less transfer credits, email Student Services or call 208-885-6470. If you have more than 13 credits, contact the department you're transferring into.
Career outcomes
Current job openings
881 in ID, WA, OR, MT and HIPotential careers and mid-career salaries
- Intelligence Analysts
$106,761 - Information Security Analysts
$133,954 - Information Technology Project Managers • Computer Systems Engineers/Architects
$116,707 - Web and Digital Interface Designers
$113,214 - Software QA Analysts and Testers
$118,753
* Career data provided by Lightcast.
Financial aid and scholarship opportunities
Financial aid
Paying for college can feel overwhelming, but U of I’s Financial Aid Office is here to help. Our experienced financial aid counselors can assist you in exploring financial aid options, making informed financial decisions and addressing common concerns.
To maximize aid and scholarship possibilities, be sure to complete your FAFSA. For information on FAFSA deadlines and answers to common questions, visit the University of Idaho FAFSA website.
Plan ahead — estimate your cost of attendance with U of I’s Cost Calculator.
Scholarships
Unlock scholarship opportunities at University of Idaho. When you apply to U of I, you're automatically considered for scholarships. We also offer a variety of scholarships based on experience, background and academic programs that student can apply for to help pay for college.
Explore available scholarships
- Engineering students receive more than $1 million in scholarships annually.
- Earn more than $64,000 in scholarships over the course of four years through the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE). Eligible first-year and transfer students are considered simply by filling out their U of I admission application. There’s no separate application or deadline.
- All first-time students and first-time transfer students in the College of Engineering are automatically considered for merit- and need-based scholarships and financial aid when filling out the admissions application and FAFSA. There are no separate scholarship applications required to be considered. Continuing students are also automatically considered after filling out the FAFSA each year.
- Additional College of Engineering scholarships — Additional scholarships are available based on major and interest areas. Browse engineering scholarships and application processes.
Clubs and involvement opportunities
Hands-on learning
All U of I College of Engineering students, especially undergraduates, participate in hands-on activities through:
- Nationally-ranked Senior Capstone Design Program — Emphasizing the design process and creation of a thoughtfully engineered, tested and validated outcome or prototype. Interdisciplinary teams showcase their work at our annual Engineering Design EXPO.
- Cooperative Education Program (Co-op) — Get paid up to $20,000 alternating semesters of academic study with paid full-time employment in your field.
- Pursue your passions and build skills industry are looking for — Improving an ever-changing world requires the knowledge of a highly skilled engineering community. The University of Idaho College of Engineering Professional Skills Academy develops graduates with expert technical and professional skills who are ready to lead a competitive workplace.
- Idaho’s only Grand Challenge Scholars Program — Preparing undergraduates to solve the biggest challenges facing society in the 21st century.
- Research and funding opportunities — Grow your confidence in a laboratory setting, gain experience with research proposal development and project management, and collaborate extensively with peers and faculty in research projects that make an impact.
- Internships and Summer programs — Vandal engineers spend their summers in paid internship, fellowship and research mentorship programs. Explore opportunities with leading industry, national research centers and more.
Clubs and organizations
Our college offers 20+ clubs and organizations tied to international and national engineering organizations, including national competition teams.
Clubs related to your major include:
- Cyber Defense Club
- CyberForce Competition Team
- Humanitarian Engineering Corps (HEC)
- Polymorphic Games Studio
- National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
- Robotics Club
- Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
- Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
- Tau Beta Pi - Engineering Honor Society (TBP)
Application information
Undergraduate applications open each September and admissions are processed on a rolling basis. Qualified students are admitted and considered for scholarships and financial aid as applications are received.
Explore admission requirements and apply on our Admissions website.