Cybersecurity Guide

Where to find the latest cybersecurity degree programs and training options in New Jersey

Written by Cybersecurity Guide Contributors – Last updated:
In this guide

This guide is an overview of the educational and professional cybersecurity opportunities available in New Jersey. The guide also provides the economic context for New Jersey’s emerging cybersecurity industry.

For many, the name New Jersey probably brings to mind New York City and Philadelphia as much as anything in New Jersey. To be clear, though, the New Jersey shoreline is a huge draw for residents and tourists alike, particularly in summer.

New Jersey is the fourth-smallest state by area in the US, but in part it is due to its proximity to surrounding cities, it is the 11th largest population. New Jersey gets a bum rap in many respects. It is, by itself, a substantial economy, particularly given its geographic size.

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Featured Cybersecurity Degree Programs

School NameProgram More Info
Southern New Hampshire UniversityOnline BS in Cybersecurity or Online MS in Cybersecurity website
Utica UniversityOnline BS in Cybersecurity website
Columbia EngineeringColumbia Engineering Cybersecurity Boot Camp website
Syracuse UniversityOnline MS in Cybersecurity | Complete in 15 Months website
Purdue GlobalOnline BS in Cybersecurity website
UC Berkeley School of InformationMaster’s in Cybersecurity | No GRE/GMAT Required website

The state’s long shoreline provides a home to a massive shipping industry, which is easily the largest employer in New Jersey, and a thriving tourist industry. 

Healthcare (particularly pharmaceutical manufacturers and biotechnology), professional and business services (particularly financial services), and government are the other large employers. Telecommunications is also big business here. 

Learn more about cybersecurity in critical industries

With relation to cybersecurity, it’s fair to say that New Jersey’s proximity to New York City and Philadelphia is its best asset. The location of large financial institutions and other business service operations in the state is no accident and one of the big reasons cybersecurity is a thriving industry in New Jersey. 

New Jersey is currently home to 24 Fortune 500 companies. These companies include Bristol-Myers Squibb, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, Chubb, Prudential Financial, and Schering-Plough.

The state government has been proactive in preparing itself and its citizens for cyber-attacks through the NJCCIC division of the state Homeland Security department. However, unlike many other states, New Jersey hasn’t done much, if anything, to attract or stimulate the information security industry.

Also, not much if anything has been done by state and local governments in terms of attracting cybersecurity talent. There are no apparent government-sponsored education programs focused on cybersecurity, nor any efforts to encourage colleges and universities to develop programs to educate the next wave of infosec professionals.

That said, New Jersey has still become a favorable environment for cybersecurity, if only by default. The number of large multinational companies and dominant industries have made the state a lucrative information security market.

Growing importance of cybersecurity in New Jersey

The need for beefing up cybersecurity for all industries everywhere is apparent. New Jersey is obviously no different. In fact, the makeup of the state’s economy pretty much guarantees that it will be critical to the future of New Jersey’s big industry, not to mention the government.

And, of course, its proximity to New York City and Philadelphia means that cybersecurity companies can and are located in New Jersey to serve clients outside the state. It also ensures that cybersecurity professionals will have ready access to both cities, even in the unexpected event that New Jersey employers fall short.

Here are some prominent cybersecurity organizations and resources associated with New Jersey:

New Jersey cybersecurity organizations are taking proactive measures to enhance their cybersecurity posture by conducting risk assessments, implementing best practices, educating employees, and purchasing insurance to mitigate the risks of cyberattacks and safeguard their data and systems.

Cybersecurity education in New Jersey

New Jersey certainly has its fair share of high-quality higher education institutions. To date, though, only a few have taken it upon themselves to make a commitment to cybersecurity education.

Rutgers has some offerings, but Fairleigh Dickenson and Stevens Institute of Technology are by far the most active in cybersecurity degrees and certifications. 

Given the state ranks 11th in the US for population, there are surprisingly few education alternatives available thus far for those interested in cybersecurity.

The programs that are available, however, still provide students with excellent options whether or not New Jersey is home.

Learn more about cybersecurity programs

Cybersecurity bachelor’s degrees in New Jersey

Most employers and most job postings now require a bachelor’s degree in some sort of technology or STEM-related discipline. In a market like New Jersey that maybe isn’t quite as competitive as elsewhere in the country, it may be preferable to do something to stand out from the crowd for professionals looking to start out in cybersecurity.

  1. Stevens Institute of Technology

    Hoboken, New Jersey
    Program: Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
    CAE designation: CAE-CD, CAE-R
    Credits: 125
    Cost per credit: $1,876 in-state | $1,876 out-of-state
    Delivery Method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details

Cybersecurity master’s degrees in New Jersey

As the cybersecurity industry continues to grow and mature, the number of senior and management-level positions being created is expanding rapidly. Even though there is a shortage of senior-level corporate cybersecurity professionals, obtaining these advanced positions may very well require having a master’s degree.

Campus-based master’s degree

  1. New Jersey City University

    Jersey City, New Jersey
    Program: Cybersecurity, M.S.
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Credits: 30
    Cost per credit: $798
    Delivery Method: Campus, Online
    GRE/GMAT Required: Not Required
    Learn more: Program details

  2. Stevens Institute of Technology

    Hoboken, New Jersey
    Program: Master of Science – Cybersecurity
    CAE designation: CAE-CD, CAE-R
    Credits: 30
    Cost per credit: $1,776
    Delivery Method: Campus, Online
    Learn more: Program details

  3. Saint Peter’s University

    Jersey City, New Jersey
    Program: Masters of Science in Cyber Security
    Credits: 30
    Cost per credit: $945
    Delivery Method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details

Online master’s degree

  1. New Jersey City University

    Jersey City, New Jersey
    Program: Cybersecurity, M.S.
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Credits: 30
    Cost per credit: $798
    Delivery Method: Campus, Online
    GRE/GMAT Required: Not Required
    Learn more: Program details

  2. Rowan College at Burlington County

    Mount Laurel, New Jersey
    Program: M.S. in Cybersecurity
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Credits: 30
    Cost per credit: $780
    Delivery Method: Online
    Learn more: Program details

  3. Stevens Institute of Technology

    Hoboken, New Jersey
    Program: Master of Science – Cybersecurity
    CAE designation: CAE-CD, CAE-R
    Credits: 30
    Cost per credit: $1,776
    Delivery Method: Campus, Online
    Learn more: Program details

Cybersecurity certifications in New Jersey

Specialized certifications can be an excellent vehicle for career enhancement, and this is particularly true in cybersecurity. Fortunately, there are certification programs available for all levels. Students wanting to get acclimated to cybersecurity can find programs for that purpose.

  1. Brookdale Community College

    Lincroft, New Jersey
    Program: Cybersecurity, Academic Credit Certificate of Achievement
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Credits: 12-18
    Cost per credit: $153 in state | $284 out of state
    Delivery Method: Online
    Learn more: Program details

Professionals wishing to expand their careers in a specialty, such as penetration testing, and/or their education can accomplish it through certifications. And senior-level executives looking for a resume boost or an update in some specialized aspect of cybersecurity. 

Learn more about professional certifications

Cybersecurity bootcamps in New Jersey

  1. New Jersey City University

    Jersey City, New Jersey
    Program: Cybersecurity Boot Camp
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Credits: 6 months
    Cost per credit: $4,275
    Delivery Method: Online
    Learn more: Program details

  2. New Jersey Institute of Technology

    Newark, New Jersey
    Program: Cybersecurity Professional Bootcamp
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Credits: 32 weeks
    Cost per credit: $7,800
    Delivery Method: Online
    Learn more: Program details

Cybersecurity Jobs in New Jersey

The cybersecurity workforce in New Jersey totaled 30,501 according to Cyberseek from September 2022 through August 2023. There were 13,932 new information security job openings posted by New Jersey employers.

The northern part of the state around Newark, and commuting distance to New York City, has by far the highest concentration of cybersecurity professionals in the state with a total employment of 45,109. Farther south, however, near Camden and in proximity to Philadelphia, there is also a sizeable demand for information security skills and experience.

Learn more about cybersecurity careers

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in May 2022, security analysts were being paid an average hourly wage of $62.60, and the average annual salary was $129,330.

New Jersey currently affords cybersecurity professionals one of the highest pay rates in the country.

However, New Jersey also has one of the highest standards of living in the country. Pretty much everything is more expensive in New Jersey as compared to the average US state, but housing is particularly pricey. This is especially true in the northern end of the state insight of New York City.

Cybersecurity in New Jersey

New Jersey has a large and thriving economy with a diverse base of contributors. Large companies and industries typically associated with needing advanced cybersecurity services are important elements of this economy.

The state is also strategically located with easy access to New York City and Philadelphia, and all that those economies and business communities have to offer.

The government of New Jersey hasn’t yet embraced the cybersecurity industry enough to establish incentive programs. And only a few colleges and universities have fully embraced cybersecurity as an education curriculum.

Still, the state’s economic size and makeup will ensure that cybersecurity is a critical and growing industry for a long to come.