{"id":407,"date":"2021-09-28T14:42:01","date_gmt":"2021-09-28T14:42:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/he-cyberdegrees-org-sonic.lndo.site\/?p=407"},"modified":"2023-01-30T19:48:34","modified_gmt":"2023-01-30T19:48:34","slug":"cybersecurity-programs-in-west-virginia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cyberdegrees.org\/listings\/west-virginia\/","title":{"rendered":"Cybersecurity Programs in West Virginia"},"content":{"rendered":"

As more companies digitize their operations and enhance their services through cloud-based infrastructure and Big Data, the demand for skilled cybersecurity specialists continues to rise. Attending a West Virginia cybersecurity school can help you qualify for careers in this growing field.<\/p>\r\n

West Virginia offers more than just the scenic beauty of its rolling hills. In addition to the state's coal and natural gas industries, over 2,000 tech businesses contribute to West Virginia's economy, according to 2022 data from CompTIA<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

In this guide, we survey cybersecurity degrees and career opportunities in West Virginia.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n

West Virginia at a Glance<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\r\n

Average Wage for Computer and Mathematical Occupations<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

$71,360<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

Percentage of Workforce in Tech<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

2.8%<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

Economic Impact of Tech Industry<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

$2 billion<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

Number of Higher Learning Institutions<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

42<\/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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\n \r\n<\/sonic-editorial-listings>\r\n\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n \n \n <\/a>\n\n \r\n

Why Go to School for Cybersecurity in West Virginia?<\/h2>\r\n

West Virginia is home to 42 higher education institutions, many of which offer cybersecurity undergraduate and graduate degrees.<\/p>\r\n

Students can access various funding opportunities to help pay for these programs, including need-based grants and merit-based scholarships. For example, the state-funded West Virginia Invests<\/a> grant program provides free tuition to eligible students enrolled in associate degrees<\/a> and certificate programs at two- or four-year public institutions in the state.<\/p>\r\n

Learners can attend West Virginia cybersecurity programs on campus or online. Distance learning options<\/a> typically offer more flexibility for students with career and family obligations, although even virtual programs may require in-person components.<\/p>\r\n

Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics<\/a> (BLS) projects that information technology and cybersecurity employment nationwide will grow 15% between 2021 and 2031. A degree in cybersecurity can help students find exciting opportunities in this growing industry.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\n

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Education Statistics for West Virginia<\/h3>\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\nWest Virginia 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

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

\r\n

2,520<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

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

\r\n

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

\r\n

1,216<\/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

72.4%<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

59%<\/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

Accreditation for West Virginia Schools<\/h3>\r\n

In West Virginia, higher education institutions are held to quality control standards from third-party accreditation agencies. Accreditation indicates that a school meets these accrediting bodies' benchmarks for rigor and academic quality.<\/p>\r\n

Institutional accreditation is applied to an entire school and its academic offerings. Many colleges and universities in West Virginia, including the West Virginia University Institute of Technology and West Virginia State University, hold institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Programmatic accreditation is offered to specific programs or departments within an institution, verifying whether these degrees' curricula prepare enrollees for careers in the field. Computer science and cybersecurity programs<\/a> may hold accreditation from ABET<\/a>, a programmatic accrediting agency that audits science, engineering, and technology programs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n

Considerations for West Virginia Cybersecurity Majors<\/h2>\r\n

Aspiring cybersecurity professionals should consider several factors when choosing a school, including program cost, available concentrations, and distance learning options.<\/p>\r\n

West Virginia schools offer certificate programs as well as two-year and four-year degrees. Determine which of these credentials you need to pursue your chosen career path. Many schools also have graduate and professional programs in computer science<\/a>, information technology<\/a>, and cybersecurity for learners seeking to further advance their knowledge.<\/p>\r\n

Fully online education in West Virginia is almost as popular as in-person and hybrid learning: In 2021, 48.7% of students enrolled exclusively in distance learning courses. The table below explores online enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n