Computer Science vs. Cybersecurity: Which Is Best for You?

1. Indeed Editorial Team. (2023, Oct. 2). Guide to Entry-Level Cybersecurity Job Requirements. Indeed. Retrieved Nov. 20, 2024. 
2. COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective Sept. 2024, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Information Security Analysts. Retrieved Jan. 29, 2025. 
3. Indeed Editorial Team. (2024, July 30). Everything You Need to Know About Majoring in Computer Science. Indeed. Retrieved Nov. 20, 2024. 
4. COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective Sept. 2024, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Computer and Information Technology Occupations, retrieved Nov. 21, 2024. 
5. Master’s in Data Science with edX. (2021, July). Cyber Security vs. Computer Science. Retrieved Nov. 21, 2024. 
6. The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Computer and Information Research Scientists as of May 2023, retrieved on Nov. 21, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as computer and information research scientists, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates. 
7. The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Information Security Analysts as of May 2023, retrieved on Nov. 21, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as information security analysts, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates. 

Approved and verified accurate by the assistant dean of the College of Engineering and Technology on Jan. 7, 2025.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.