Find cybersecurity degree and training options in Nebraska

• Associate degrees
• Bachelor’s degrees
• Master’s degrees
• Cybersecurity certifications
• Cybersecurity jobs
• Related resources

The following guide is a summary of cybersecurity schools in Nebraska as well as related career opportunities.  

Commonly called the Cornhusker State, Nebraska has long been an important agricultural asset for the US. Its location in the heart of the Great Plains and large expanses of flat ground and gently rolling hills make it perfect for farming and ranching.

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But Nebraska has also become home to several large corporations, many in industries that make them highly vulnerable to cybercrime. 

Companies engaged in insurance, financial services, transportation, information technology, telecommunications, and manufacturing are among the important employers, outside of agriculture. 

Union Pacific Railroad, based in Omaha, is one of the largest transportation concerns in America. Also with home offices in Omaha are TD Ameritrade, Valmont Industries, Ameritas Life Insurance Corp., and Gallup.

And, of course, the insurance company Mutual of Omaha has called the city home since its founding. One of the world’s richest men, Warren Buffet, the CEO and founder of Berkshire Hathaway, is also based in Omaha. Other notable employers include Cabela’s (outdoor goods retailer), and West Corporation.

Cybersecurity environment in Nebraska

Most people wouldn’t associate a largely agrarian economy with cybersecurity, but Nebraska is not being left behind with regard to information assurance.

The state government has joined the growing group of state governments employing a chief information officer (CIO), displaying a commitment to cybersecurity.

The nonprofit organization NEbraskaCERT was created with a dual mission – to serve as an information-sharing conduit for cybersecurity professionals and issues, and to conduct advanced research in the field of information security.

The organization conducts monthly meetings called Cyber Security Forums to discuss hot information assurance topics and create networking opportunities. It also holds weekly classes for its security professional training class, which is designed to

The economic makeup of the Omaha region also means cybersecurity is bound to be a critical element of the area’s success in the coming years.

The cybersecurity job market isn’t large by national standards, but it is thriving on a smaller base and growing rapidly. Demand for qualified professionals outstrips the supply the same as most other regional markets around the country and the world.

Cybersecurity education in Nebraska

Given that Nebraska’s economy is on the smaller side of US states, it’s surprising how many education programs are already available for cybersecurity students and professionals.

In particular, Bellevue University has made sizeable commitment to providing a broad range of quality degree programs with various information security concentrations.

Also noteworthy is the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s Information Systems and Quantitative Analysis (ISQA) Department. ISQA is organized to provide education programs in management information systems.

It offers both a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in cybersecurity, as well as information assurance concentrations to undergraduate and graduate students, and several certification programs.

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Cybersecurity associate degrees in Nebraska

Cybersecurity professionals being as highly sought after as they are, associate’s degrees in cybersecurity are still recognized as adequate education for many entry-level information security positions.

Aspiring infosec professionals with constrained resources and/or time can enter the job market in a year or two and begin accumulating experience in information security. But most cybersecurity career paths now require some type of bachelor’s degree.

Cybersecurity associate’s degrees can, for now, only be obtained from Nebraska schools utilizing campus-based programs. See the list below for more information.

1. Metropolitan Community College

   Omaha, Nebraska

   
   Program: Associate in Applied Science Degree in Cybersecurity
   CAE designation: CAE-CD
   Credits: 94.5
   Cost per credit: $68 in state | $102 out of state
   Delivery method: Campus
   Learn more: Program details

2. Northeast Community College

   Norfolk, Nebraska

   
   Program: Associate of Applied Science Degree in Information Technology - CISCO Networking Academy & Information Security
   CAE designation: CAE-CD
   Credits: 65
   Cost per credits: $108 in state | $151 out of state
   Delivery method: Campus
   Learn more: Program details

Cybersecurity bachelor’s degrees in Nebraska

Cybersecurity is a highly advanced and technical field. As such, employers now require bachelor’s degrees as a minimum educational background for most information security careers.

While degree majors can be in any technical discipline like STEM, a BS in cybersecurity will definitely give professionals an advantage in their job searches. And if not a degree in cybersecurity, look for programs that offer tracks with a concentration in cybersecurity.  

Nebraska colleges and universities, at present, have three cybersecurity bachelor’s degree program.

1. Bellevue University

   Bellevue, Nebraska

   
   Program: Bachelor of Science in Information Technology - Cybersecurity concentration
   CAE designation: CAE-CD
   Credits: 127
   Cost per credit: $449
   Delivery method: Online
   Learn more: Program details

2. University of Nebraska at Omaha

   Omaha, Nebraska

   
   Program: Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
   CAE designation: CAE-CO, CAE-CD
   Credits: 120
   Cost per credit: $279 in-state | $745 out-of-state
   Delivery method: Campus & online
   Learn more: Program details

3. University of Nebraska-Lincoln

   Lincoln, Nebraska

   
   Program: BS in Computer Science - Cybersecurity focus
   Credits: 120
   Cost per credit: $384 in state | $1,120 out of state
   Delivery method: Campus
   Learn more: Program details

Cybersecurity master’s degrees in Nebraska

As the cybersecurity industry matures and grows in sophistication and technical complexity, more organizations are finding it necessary to have dedicated managers to lead their information security efforts.

Many management-level information security positions now require a master’s degree in cybersecurity. Also, cybersecurity education and research are rapidly growing fields. 

And organizations lacking the budgets to employ their own cybersecurity operations are finding it necessary to hire cybersecurity consultants to organize and oversee information assurance efforts.

All of these areas require, or strongly recommend job candidates have master’s degrees in cybersecurity. The number of MS programs being offered is growing to try to meet the demand. 

At this time, there are only two cybersecurity master’s degree program being offered by Nebraska colleges and universities.

1. Bellevue University

   Bellevue, Nebraska

   
   Program: Master of Science in Cybersecurity
   CAE designation: CAE-CD
   Credits: 36-39
   Cost per credit: $630
   Delivery method: Campus & online
   GRE requirement: Not required
   Learn more: Program details

2. University of Nebraska at Omaha

   Omaha, Nebraska

   
   Program: Cybersecurity, MS
   CAE designation: CAE-CO, CAE-CD
   Credits: 36
   Cost per credit: $375 in-state | $632 out of state
   Delivery method: Online
   GRE Requirement: $375 in-state | $632 out of state
   Learn more: Program details

Cybersecurity certifications in Nebraska

Cybersecurity certifications are available for students and professionals at most experience levels and situations. Those seeking to get started in cybersecurity can enroll in introductory certification programs.

Professionals working in a specialty role within information security can take certification courses to advance their specific category. And those looking to obtain an advanced degree but lacking the time to do so can find degree certifications that take substantially less time to complete than full degrees.

Nebraska offers only one campus-based cybersecurity certification program. Check below for more information. 

1. Northeast Community College

   Norfolk, Nebraska

   
   Program: Information Security Certificate
   CAE designation: CAE-CD
   Credits: 18
   Cost per credit: $108 in state | $151 out of state
   Delivery method: Campus
   Learn more: Program details

Cybersecurity jobs in Nebraska

Other than agriculture, Nebraska’s economy is concentrated near the eastern border of the state, in and around Omaha. The cybersecurity job market reflects this regional concentration.

According to Cyberseek, there are 6,944 people employed in some aspect of cybersecurity and 3,682 new job openings were posted for information security roles. The vast majority of those job postings were for positions in the Omaha area.

Lincoln, Nebraska, which is not far from Omaha and saw 669 new job openings, was the only other city experiencing significant demand for cybersecurity professionals.

Recently, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that security analysts in Nebraska were receiving on average $45.96 per hour in compensation and an average annual salary of $95,590.

These averages run just a little shy of national averages. Not surprisingly, Nebraska enjoys a significantly lower cost of living than the average US state, about 10% less. The Omaha area is only slightly more expensive than the average Nebraska town.

Cybersecurity in Nebraska

The non-agricultural portion of Nebraska’s economy is concentrated in the eastern edge of the state, mostly in the area surrounding Omaha. But this region has a significant base of critical industries such as transportation, insurance, and financial services.

Companies in these sectors are favored targets for cybercriminals, and therefore important users of cybersecurity professionals and services. 

Education institutions are getting on board the cybersecurity train to take advantage of the rapidly growing demand for new infosec professionals.

For being in a relatively small economic base, Nebraska schools have already developed a solid range of degree and certification programs in the information security field.