What is Cyber Security?
Identifying a specific list of typical responsibilities for cyber security specialists can be challenging because so many different industries rely on their expertise. This makes the degree quite valuable, but also means job descriptions can vary quite significantly – often based on the size and type of employer. Graduates should review requirements and expectations carefully before submitting applications.
Despite differences in job titles and responsibilities, most cyber security specialists play vital roles in maintaining societal safety. In most cases, this means performing tasks related to protecting data, devices, and networks from criminal activity by preventing access to unapproved entities. Examples include ensuring social media platforms are secure and protecting sensitive correspondence in the workplace. These professionals may also take steps to stop and catch criminals seeking to misuse network accounts and data. Much of their time is spent 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. Other common responsibilities might include conducting penetration testing, researching information technology trends, developing security standards, and recommending potential enhancements to stakeholders. Additionally, cyber security specialists act to combat threats like malware, password theft, traffic interception, phishing, social engineering, and ransomware.
Top Ranked Campus & Online Cybersecurity Programs in Minnesota
1
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Score: 85.47
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $16,488
- Out-of-State:$36,402
- Net Price: $16,730
- Acceptance Rate: 77%
- Retention Rate: 91%
- Graduation Rate: 85%
- Total Enrollment: 54,890
- Undergrad Students: 39,556
- Graduate Students: 15,334
- Grads Salary: $80,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
2
Carleton College
Score: 82.9
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $65,457
- Out-of-State:$65,457
- Net Price: $29,434
- Acceptance Rate: 22%
- Retention Rate: 96%
- Graduation Rate: 91%
- Total Enrollment: 2,069
- Undergrad Students: 2,069
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 8:1
3
Concordia University-Saint Paul
Score: 74.37
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $25,000
- Out-of-State:$25,000
- Net Price: $17,989
- Acceptance Rate: 75%
- Retention Rate: 67%
- Graduation Rate: 59%
- Total Enrollment: 5,854
- Undergrad Students: 3,146
- Graduate Students: 2,708
- Grads Salary: $78,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
4
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Score: 73.81
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $43,160
- Out-of-State:$43,160
- Net Price: $22,518
- Acceptance Rate: 89%
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 68%
- Total Enrollment: 3,831
- Undergrad Students: 1,075
- Graduate Students: 2,756
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
5
Saint John's University
Score: 73.33
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $53,942
- Out-of-State:$53,942
- Net Price: $29,473
- Acceptance Rate: 90%
- Retention Rate: 83%
- Graduation Rate: 76%
- Total Enrollment: 1,624
- Undergrad Students: 1,481
- Graduate Students: 143
- Grads Salary: $81,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
6
Rasmussen University-Minnesota
Score: 71.94
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,899
- Out-of-State:$10,899
- Net Price: $16,397
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 100%
- Graduation Rate: 53%
- Total Enrollment: 8,823
- Undergrad Students: 8,054
- Graduate Students: 769
- Grads Salary: $70,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
7
Bethel University-Saint Paul
Score: 70.83
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $42,930
- Out-of-State:$42,930
- Net Price: $30,375
- Acceptance Rate: 91%
- Retention Rate: 87%
- Graduation Rate: 75%
- Total Enrollment: 3,521
- Undergrad Students: 2,629
- Graduate Students: 892
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
8
Concordia College at Moorhead
Score: 70.63
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $30,020
- Out-of-State:$30,020
- Net Price: $25,488
- Acceptance Rate: 63%
- Retention Rate: 78%
- Graduation Rate: 72%
- Total Enrollment: 1,868
- Undergrad Students: 1,799
- Graduate Students: 69
- Grads Salary: $69,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
9
St. Cloud State University
Score: 70.52
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,117
- Out-of-State:$10,117
- Net Price: $14,648
- Acceptance Rate: 95%
- Retention Rate: 68%
- Graduation Rate: 47%
- Total Enrollment: 10,514
- Undergrad Students: 8,430
- Graduate Students: 2,084
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
10
College of Saint Benedict
Score: 69.97
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $53,884
- Out-of-State:$53,884
- Net Price: $29,720
- Acceptance Rate: 91%
- Retention Rate: 88%
- Graduation Rate: 83%
- Total Enrollment: 1,451
- Undergrad Students: 1,410
- Graduate Students: 41
- Grads Salary: $69,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
11
Herzing University-Minneapolis
Score: 69.84
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,420
- Out-of-State:$13,420
- Net Price: $15,275
- Acceptance Rate: 94%
- Retention Rate: 57%
- Graduation Rate: 74%
- Total Enrollment: 752
- Undergrad Students: 748
- Graduate Students: 4
- Grads Salary: $60,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
12
Minnesota State University Moorhead
Score: 69.41
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,336
- Out-of-State:$10,336
- Net Price: $18,231
- Acceptance Rate: 53%
- Retention Rate: 72%
- Graduation Rate: 55%
- Total Enrollment: 4,410
- Undergrad Students: 3,413
- Graduate Students: 997
- Grads Salary: $67,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
13
Metropolitan State University
Score: 67.85
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,780
- Out-of-State:$9,780
- Net Price: $18,233
- Acceptance Rate: 96%
- Retention Rate: 73%
- Graduation Rate: 38%
- Total Enrollment: 6,005
- Undergrad Students: 5,271
- Graduate Students: 734
- Grads Salary: $78,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
14
Southwest Minnesota State University
Score: 67.79
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,304
- Out-of-State:$10,304
- Net Price: $14,839
- Acceptance Rate: 69%
- Retention Rate: 70%
- Graduation Rate: 44%
- Total Enrollment: 7,324
- Undergrad Students: 6,884
- Graduate Students: 440
- Grads Salary: $67,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
15
Dunwoody College of Technology
Score: 66.85
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $25,659
- Out-of-State:$25,659
- Net Price: $24,789
- Acceptance Rate: 98%
- Retention Rate: 71%
- Graduation Rate: 63%
- Total Enrollment: 1,424
- Undergrad Students: 1,424
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
16
University of Northwestern-St. Paul
Score: 64.42
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $36,830
- Out-of-State:$36,830
- Net Price: $26,779
- Acceptance Rate: 92%
- Retention Rate: 84%
- Graduation Rate: 68%
- Total Enrollment: 3,262
- Undergrad Students: 3,173
- Graduate Students: 89
- Grads Salary: $64,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
17
North Central University
Score: 63.83
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $29,460
- Out-of-State:$29,460
- Net Price: $23,694
- Acceptance Rate: 91%
- Retention Rate: 78%
- Graduation Rate: 64%
- Total Enrollment: 984
- Undergrad Students: 865
- Graduate Students: 119
- Grads Salary: $60,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
18
Walden University
Score: 62.2
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,498
- Out-of-State:$12,498
- Net Price: $20,510
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 52%
- Graduation Rate: 32%
- Total Enrollment: 44,223
- Undergrad Students: 7,362
- Graduate Students: 36,861
- Grads Salary: $84,000
- Student-to-faculty: 30:1
19
Alexandria Technical & Community College
Score: 60.77
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,213
- Out-of-State:$6,213
- Net Price: $13,947
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 74%
- Graduation Rate: 61%
- Total Enrollment: 3,038
- Undergrad Students: 3,038
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $46,300
- Student-to-faculty: 21:1
20
Capella University
Score: 58.21
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,436
- Out-of-State:$14,436
- Net Price: $16,975
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 23%
- Graduation Rate: 33%
- Total Enrollment: 43,915
- Undergrad Students: 16,177
- Graduate Students: 27,738
- Grads Salary: $78,000
- Student-to-faculty: 36:1
21
Minnesota State Community and Technical College
Score: 55.91
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,900
- Out-of-State:$5,900
- Net Price: $9,646
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 65%
- Graduation Rate: 46%
- Total Enrollment: 5,414
- Undergrad Students: 5,414
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $40,100
- Student-to-faculty: 21:1
22
Southeast Technical College
Score: 55.6
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,650
- Out-of-State:$7,650
- Net Price: $15,265
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 71%
- Graduation Rate: 51%
- Total Enrollment: 2,478
- Undergrad Students: 2,478
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $40,100
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
23
St. Cloud Technical and Community College
Score: 55.12
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,957
- Out-of-State:$4,957
- Net Price: $10,140
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 67%
- Graduation Rate: 42%
- Total Enrollment: 3,565
- Undergrad Students: 3,565
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $40,700
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
24
Minnesota State College Southeast
Score: 54
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,820
- Out-of-State:$7,820
- Net Price: $14,441
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 64%
- Graduation Rate: 51%
- Total Enrollment: 2,020
- Undergrad Students: 2,020
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $39,200
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
25
Minnesota West Community and Technical College
Score: 53.11
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,484
- Out-of-State:$12,332
- Net Price: $11,067
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 70%
- Graduation Rate: 47%
- Total Enrollment: 3,438
- Undergrad Students: 3,438
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $34,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
