{"id":302,"date":"2021-09-29T15:27:02","date_gmt":"2021-09-29T15:27:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/he-cyberdegrees-org-sonic.lndo.site\/?p=302"},"modified":"2023-04-04T20:37:33","modified_gmt":"2023-04-04T20:37:33","slug":"cybersecurity-programs-in-idaho","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cyberdegrees.org\/listings\/idaho\/","title":{"rendered":"Cybersecurity Programs in Idaho"},"content":{"rendered":"

Though many may associate Idaho with its agricultural exports, including potatoes, the state now features an emerging tech sector.<\/p>\r\n

According to CompTIA's 2022 Cyberstates report<\/a>, Idaho had the fourth-highest percent change for tech job growth in 2021. CompTIA also projects a 20% tech job growth from 2022-2032 — on par with tech hubs like Texas and Washington, D.C.<\/p>\r\n

Cybersecurity education opportunities should likely grow with the demand for Idaho cybersecurity professionals. Most of Idaho's schools now offer cybersecurity certificates or degree programs.<\/p>\r\n

Discover more about those programs and Idaho's growing cybersecurity industry with this helpful guide.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n

Idaho at a Glance<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\r\nAverage Wage for Computer and Mathematical Occupations<\/strong>\r\n<\/th>\r\n\r\n

$78,380<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n% of Workforce in Tech<\/strong>\r\n<\/th>\r\n\r\n

4.3%<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\nEconomic Impact of Tech Industry<\/strong>\r\n<\/th>\r\n\r\n

$6 billion<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\nNumber of Higher Learning Institutions<\/strong>\r\n<\/th>\r\n\r\n

14<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n

Sources:<\/strong> Cyberstates™<\/a>, NCES<\/a>, OEWS<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n

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Why Go to College for Cybersecurity in Idaho?<\/h2>\r\n

While Idaho may not hold widespread recognition as a tech hub, interest in cybersecurity continues to flourish here among students and educational leaders.<\/p>\r\n

Several Idaho schools have offered cybersecurity associate degrees and certificate programs for years, and the University of Idaho launched the state's first bachelor's degree in cybersecurity in 2020. More recently, Idaho's higher education leaders just participated in a 2023 cybersecurity exercise to understand the growing cyberthreats.<\/p>\r\n

This increased focus on cybersecurity and rapid state-wide industry growth bodes well for aspiring cybersecurity professionals, who can anticipate more education and networking opportunities in the near future.<\/p>\r\n

Professional cybersecurity groups continue to form in Idaho. In 2022, BSides held its fifth annual Idaho Falls conference, and Women in Cybersecurity started an Idaho chapter.<\/p>\r\n

Affordability also draws many students to schools in Idaho. Schools offer low in-state tuition, with many maintaining tuition reciprocity programs for learners from nearby states.<\/p>\r\n

Idaho has schools with cybersecurity programs across the state, including in large cities like Boise and smaller areas like Moscow. Enrollees can also consider flexible online classes to complete their degrees anywhere.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\n

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Education Statistics for Idaho<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n

Idaho houses 14 higher education institutions, and nearly two-thirds of students study partially or fully online.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\r\nHigher Education Statistics<\/strong>\r\n<\/th>\r\n\r\nIdaho Data<\/strong>\r\n<\/th>\r\n\r\nNational Data<\/strong>\r\n<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n
\r\n

Four-Year Colleges<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

9<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

2,679<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

Two-Year Colleges<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

5<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

1,303<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

Students Enrolled in Distance Education<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

62.1%<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

72.8%<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n

Sources:<\/strong> NCES<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Accreditation for Idaho Schools<\/h3>\r\n

When looking for cybersecurity programs in Idaho, students should prioritize accredited schools. Institutional accreditation applies to an entire college or university, indicating that a third-party accrediting body has reviewed and approved the school's ability to deliver a high-quality education. Only learners attending accredited institutions can apply for federal funding, as well.<\/p>\r\n

The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) primarily accredits Idaho's institutions of higher education.<\/p>\r\n

Third-party organizations may also accredit individual programs or departments within schools, known as programmatic accreditation. Prospective enrollees can research cybersecurity programs with programmatic accreditation by ABET<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n

Considerations for a Cybersecurity Degree in Idaho<\/h2>\r\n

Students should consider several other factors before selecting a cybersecurity degree program, including degree type. Schools in Idaho offer short certificate programs to provide learners with an introduction to cybersecurity.<\/p>\r\n

Other options include two-year associate and four-year bachelor's degree programs. Current Idaho computer science professionals looking to specialize can also pursue master's degrees in cybersecurity.<\/p>\r\n

Each prospective enrollee should also identify their preferred learning option. Some learners may thrive with the traditional structure of in-person classes, while others need the flexibility of online coursework.<\/p>\r\n

Most Idaho schools teach cybersecurity on campus. However, schools like Lewis-Clark State College and Boise State University offer fully online cybersecurity degree programs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n