What is Cyber Security?
Are you considering enrolling in a cyber security degree program? If you want to work as a cyber security professional in Illinois, you may want to give preference to colleges and universities located in the state. While remote learning allows you to enroll in nearly any institution in the world with internet access, choosing a program in Illinois can be most beneficial to those looking to work in the state. Many local institutions have pre-established relationships with nearby businesses and organizations hiring experts in the field, giving you and edge over other candidates. Many of these schools also provide geographically relevant instruction, as they are familiar with employer expectations and hiring standards in the region.
Common tasks include monitoring networks for security breaches, investigating violations, installing/utilizing firewall and data encryption software, and preparing reports documenting security issues and the damage they caused. These professionals may also conduct penetration testing, research information technology trends, develop security standards, and recommend potential enhancements. Additionally, most program graduates are trained to combat common threats like malware, password theft, traffic interception, phishing, social engineering, and ransomware.
Regardless of their specific role, security professionals play a vital part in keeping society safe. Individuals, businesses, and agencies of all kinds utilize and depend on electronic devices and the internet continuously to perform everyday tasks, from posting on social media platforms and shopping for groceries to sending work correspondence and storing patient records. The more dependent upon technology the world is, the more necessary familiarity with computers and information security will become.
Individuals who are best suited for cyber security jobs tend to be highly detailed oriented and often enjoy solving problems. The most successful professionals in the field also likely possess great analytical and ingenuity skills.
Top Ranked Campus & Online Cybersecurity Programs in Illinois
Northwestern University
Score: 90.84
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $65,997
- Out-of-State:$65,997
- Net Price: $22,095
- Acceptance Rate: 7%
- Retention Rate: 98%
- Graduation Rate: 97%
- Total Enrollment: 23,161
- Undergrad Students: 8,993
- Graduate Students: 14,168
- Grads Salary: $89,000
- Student-to-faculty: 6:1
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Score: 84.54
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $16,004
- Out-of-State:$34,501
- Net Price: $14,544
- Acceptance Rate: 45%
- Retention Rate: 93%
- Graduation Rate: 85%
- Total Enrollment: 56,916
- Undergrad Students: 35,120
- Graduate Students: 21,796
- Grads Salary: $84,000
- Student-to-faculty: 21:1
Illinois Institute of Technology
Score: 78.13
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $51,763
- Out-of-State:$51,763
- Net Price: $28,702
- Acceptance Rate: 61%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 75%
- Total Enrollment: 6,943
- Undergrad Students: 3,125
- Graduate Students: 3,818
- Grads Salary: $91,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Millikin University
Score: 74.03
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $43,670
- Out-of-State:$43,670
- Net Price: $10,492
- Acceptance Rate: 75%
- Retention Rate: 70%
- Graduation Rate: 58%
- Total Enrollment: 1,807
- Undergrad Students: 1,708
- Graduate Students: 99
- Grads Salary: $78,000
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
Bradley University
Score: 73.85
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $39,680
- Out-of-State:$39,680
- Net Price: $24,053
- Acceptance Rate: 75%
- Retention Rate: 83%
- Graduation Rate: 76%
- Total Enrollment: 5,552
- Undergrad Students: 4,143
- Graduate Students: 1,409
- Grads Salary: $78,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
Lewis University
Score: 72.43
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $37,882
- Out-of-State:$37,882
- Net Price: $19,184
- Acceptance Rate: 74%
- Retention Rate: 81%
- Graduation Rate: 62%
- Total Enrollment: 6,513
- Undergrad Students: 3,933
- Graduate Students: 2,580
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
Saint Xavier University
Score: 71.87
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $36,840
- Out-of-State:$36,840
- Net Price: $11,302
- Acceptance Rate: 84%
- Retention Rate: 71%
- Graduation Rate: 53%
- Total Enrollment: 3,523
- Undergrad Students: 2,981
- Graduate Students: 542
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
University of Illinois Springfield
Score: 70.89
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,252
- Out-of-State:$22,017
- Net Price: $11,733
- Acceptance Rate: 82%
- Retention Rate: 76%
- Graduation Rate: 53%
- Total Enrollment: 4,198
- Undergrad Students: 2,393
- Graduate Students: 1,805
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
Olivet Nazarene University
Score: 70.27
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $37,940
- Out-of-State:$37,940
- Net Price: $20,059
- Acceptance Rate: 58%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 67%
- Total Enrollment: 3,255
- Undergrad Students: 2,519
- Graduate Students: 736
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
Wheaton College
Score: 69.55
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $43,930
- Out-of-State:$43,930
- Net Price: $29,961
- Acceptance Rate: 88%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 88%
- Total Enrollment: 2,885
- Undergrad Students: 2,163
- Graduate Students: 722
- Grads Salary: $67,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
DePaul University
Score: 69.19
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $44,460
- Out-of-State:$44,460
- Net Price: $32,151
- Acceptance Rate: 70%
- Retention Rate: 84%
- Graduation Rate: 69%
- Total Enrollment: 20,917
- Undergrad Students: 14,134
- Graduate Students: 6,783
- Grads Salary: $80,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
North Central College
Score: 68.79
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $44,394
- Out-of-State:$44,394
- Net Price: $25,285
- Acceptance Rate: 61%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 63%
- Total Enrollment: 2,695
- Undergrad Students: 2,368
- Graduate Students: 327
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
Western Illinois University
Score: 68.47
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,952
- Out-of-State:$14,952
- Net Price: $11,213
- Acceptance Rate: 75%
- Retention Rate: 67%
- Graduation Rate: 47%
- Total Enrollment: 7,643
- Undergrad Students: 5,309
- Graduate Students: 2,334
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Illinois State University
Score: 68.27
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $16,021
- Out-of-State:$28,086
- Net Price: $20,551
- Acceptance Rate: 86%
- Retention Rate: 80%
- Graduation Rate: 67%
- Total Enrollment: 20,683
- Undergrad Students: 18,055
- Graduate Students: 2,628
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
Elmhurst University
Score: 68.06
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $41,628
- Out-of-State:$41,628
- Net Price: $24,108
- Acceptance Rate: 76%
- Retention Rate: 80%
- Graduation Rate: 64%
- Total Enrollment: 3,731
- Undergrad Students: 3,027
- Graduate Students: 704
- Grads Salary: $73,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Eastern Illinois University
Score: 67.94
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,403
- Out-of-State:$15,879
- Net Price: $13,380
- Acceptance Rate: 68%
- Retention Rate: 71%
- Graduation Rate: 55%
- Total Enrollment: 8,857
- Undergrad Students: 6,916
- Graduate Students: 1,941
- Grads Salary: $69,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
Score: 67.9
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,244
- Out-of-State:$13,244
- Net Price: $16,990
- Acceptance Rate: 91%
- Retention Rate: 70%
- Graduation Rate: 49%
- Total Enrollment: 11,107
- Undergrad Students: 8,000
- Graduate Students: 3,107
- Grads Salary: $78,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
Illinois College
Score: 67.63
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $37,470
- Out-of-State:$37,470
- Net Price: $16,296
- Acceptance Rate: 77%
- Retention Rate: 73%
- Graduation Rate: 67%
- Total Enrollment: 1,029
- Undergrad Students: 1,028
- Graduate Students: 1
- Grads Salary: $64,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
Quincy University
Score: 67.49
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $35,740
- Out-of-State:$35,740
- Net Price: $11,985
- Acceptance Rate: 62%
- Retention Rate: 69%
- Graduation Rate: 50%
- Total Enrollment: 1,307
- Undergrad Students: 1,147
- Graduate Students: 160
- Grads Salary: $69,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
Chicago State University
Score: 66.5
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,754
- Out-of-State:$12,754
- Net Price: $6,446
- Acceptance Rate: 49%
- Retention Rate: 55%
- Graduation Rate: 28%
- Total Enrollment: 2,317
- Undergrad Students: 1,450
- Graduate Students: 867
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
McKendree University
Score: 65.49
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $34,070
- Out-of-State:$34,070
- Net Price: $22,431
- Acceptance Rate: 68%
- Retention Rate: 75%
- Graduation Rate: 55%
- Total Enrollment: 1,960
- Undergrad Students: 1,534
- Graduate Students: 426
- Grads Salary: $72,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Loyola University Chicago
Score: 64.41
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $51,716
- Out-of-State:$51,716
- Net Price: $37,511
- Acceptance Rate: 79%
- Retention Rate: 81%
- Graduation Rate: 71%
- Total Enrollment: 16,899
- Undergrad Students: 11,703
- Graduate Students: 5,196
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Aurora University
Score: 63.97
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $28,220
- Out-of-State:$28,220
- Net Price: $19,350
- Acceptance Rate: 82%
- Retention Rate: 73%
- Graduation Rate: 60%
- Total Enrollment: 5,918
- Undergrad Students: 4,048
- Graduate Students: 1,870
- Grads Salary: $65,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Roosevelt University
Score: 61.94
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $20,280
- Out-of-State:$20,280
- Net Price: $22,117
- Acceptance Rate: 88%
- Retention Rate: 60%
- Graduation Rate: 43%
- Total Enrollment: 3,725
- Undergrad Students: 2,413
- Graduate Students: 1,312
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
Rockford University
Score: 60.87
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $37,300
- Out-of-State:$37,300
- Net Price: $25,047
- Acceptance Rate: 55%
- Retention Rate: 64%
- Graduation Rate: 40%
- Total Enrollment: 1,181
- Undergrad Students: 951
- Graduate Students: 230
- Grads Salary: $72,000
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
