{"id":561,"date":"2021-09-28T14:24:09","date_gmt":"2021-09-28T14:24:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/he-cyberdegrees-org-sonic.lndo.site\/?p=561"},"modified":"2023-02-13T23:14:11","modified_gmt":"2023-02-13T23:14:11","slug":"cybersecurity-programs-in-utah","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cyberdegrees.org\/listings\/utah\/","title":{"rendered":"Cybersecurity Programs in Utah"},"content":{"rendered":"

In addition to snowy slopes, national parks, and a robust economy, Utah offers a variety of opportunities for cybersecurity professionals. These workers fight against virtual security threats: For example, in 2020, Deseret News<\/a> reported Utah's cybersecurity experts collaborated to thwart Iranian hackers from attacking state government websites.<\/p>\r\n

Data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that popular career fields for cybersecurity workers in Utah include software development, computer and information systems management, and computer programming. With the growing prevalence of online fraud and cybercrime, the need for network security professionals continues to increase in Utah and globally.<\/p>\r\n

Universities in Utah offer a number of cybersecurity-related degrees and certificates. This page explores information about cybersecurity careers in this state.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Utah at a Glance<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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Average Wage for Computer and Mathematical Occupations, 2021<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

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$86,600<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

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

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6.9%<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

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

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$19 billion<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

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

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27<\/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 a Utah College or University for Cybersecurity?<\/h2>\r\n

According to the BLS<\/a>, Utah boasts an unemployment rate of 2.2% as of November 2022. Data from CompTIA<\/a> shows approximately 6.9% of the state's workforce serves in technology, with the largest shares of workers employed in software, IT support, and network engineering. These professionals have a $19 billion impact on the state's economy.<\/p>\r\n

Higher education campuses are spread all over Utah, serving students in both rural and urban areas. These schools offer multiple learning options, including online courses. With several prestigious universities and online programs located in Utah, students looking to develop their tech skills can earn a thorough cybersecurity education<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

According to data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), average tuition at Utah's colleges and universities was lower than the average tuition at schools in other states<\/a> in the 2020-21 academic year. Utah residents qualify for in-state tuition at public institutions and may be eligible for state-sponsored grants and scholarships.<\/p>\r\n

Attending college in the state where you plan to work after graduation can also offer job search benefits such as networking, local internships, and alumni partnerships.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\n

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

Utah's higher education options include community colleges, private four-year institutions, and state-sponsored public universities. Per NCES data from 2021, a higher percentage of Utah students enrolled in online learning than the national average percentage.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\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\nUtah Data<\/strong>\r\n<\/th>\r\n\r\nNational Data<\/strong>\r\n<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n
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Four-Year Colleges<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

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

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

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

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

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

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

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68.7%<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

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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 Utah Schools<\/h3>\r\n

Attending an accredited school is essential if you are pursuing a cybersecurity career<\/a> in Utah. Accreditation is a marker of academic excellence that verifies the quality of your degree.<\/p>\r\n

The accreditation process evaluates colleges and universities to ensure their course offerings meet standards for academic rigor. Many schools in Utah hold institutional accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.<\/p>\r\n

In addition to institutional accreditation, cybersecurity programs can secure programmatic accreditation from the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, an organization whose accreditation processes evaluate how well programs prepare students for careers in the field.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n

Considerations for Studying Cybersecurity in Utah<\/h2>\r\n

Many factors go into the college and program selection process. Is the school connected with internship opportunities in network security? What is the college's reputation? What kind of degrees<\/a> does the school impart? Can students enroll in online, in-person, and hybrid learning?<\/p>\r\n

Utah's colleges and universities offer two-year, four-year, and graduate degrees in cybersecurity<\/a>. Many schools provide both online and on-campus classes. Some programs even combine in-person lectures with online coursework.<\/p>\r\n

When deciding on a college or university<\/a> for cybersecurity studies, research is key. Prospective students should look into schools' faculty credentials and areas of specialization as well as the schools' job placement statistics. They should also ensure programs hold accreditation from reputable organizations and that major courses focus on actionable career outcomes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n