Which School for Cybersecurity for Young Person

[TorsMama]

Hello. My son is interested in a Cybersecurity degree. He is a high school sophomore about to graduate from community college with a general Associate of Science. We are low-income, so cost is a bigger factor than time, since he is so young. We would love to be able to transfer in as many credits as possible. Her is what he has so far:


CLEPS
US History 1; 3 cr
Analyzing and Interpreting Lit; 3 cr
College Composition Modular; 3 cr
Intro to Sociology; 3 cr
US History 2; 3 cr
Western Civilization 1; 3 cr

ACE CREDITS
College Algebra; Sophia; 3
Human Biology; Sophia; 3
Foundations of Statistics; Sophia; 2
Visual Communications; Sophia; 3
Approaches to Studying Religions; Sophia; 3
Introduction to Business; Sophia; 3
Introduction to Relational Databases; Sophia; 3
Introduction to Web Design; Sophia; 3
Ancient Greek Philosophers; Sophia; 3
Introduction to Information Technology; Sophia; 3
Introduction to Statistics; Sophia; 3
Environmental Science; Sophia; 3

REGIONALLY-ACCREDITED COLLEGE COURSES

Astronomy; ASU; 4
Introduction to Programming; AS; 3
Latin 1; MACU; 3-5
American Government; HCC; 3
Texas Government; HCC; 3
Calculus I; HCC; 4
Intro to Game Programming; HCC; 3



He is planning on taking Calc 2, Calc 3, and Discrete math and possibly Linear Algebra before high school graduation via HCC. Dual enrollment is definitely the cheapest route at $65/Class, but it's all online.

He has no other certifications or anything but he has played around with programming for a few years and has gone through some Udemy hacking and cybersecurity courses.

[rachel83az]

Unfortunately, Cybersecurity isn't really a degree that can be obtained inexpensively. Especially for someone who isn't even old enough to have graduated from HS.

The cheapest option is probably going to be Purdue Global: https://www.purdueglobal.edu/degree-prog...rsecurity/ But he would need to be 18 to enroll. He would also need to be okay with doing a lot of writing.

Excelsior allows enrollment at an earlier age, and your son could theoretically start now, but most of their Cybersecurity degree requirements cannot be transferred in. That makes them significantly more expensive.

Since your son is okay with taking advanced math classes, what I would suggest would be to aim for a TESU Computer Science degree. Is it Cybersecurity? No. But (at least of right now), they do allow students to transfer in the majority of their credits. It will be the cheapest & easiest solution - unless something else pops up in the next 3 or so years (which it might).

With all the RA credits he'll have by graduation, he should be able to enroll as soon as he turned 18. Graduating with a TESU BACS would hopefully allow him to get a higher-paying job - one that might include tuition reimbursement - and he could then get a Master's degree in Cybersecurity.

[sanantone]

If you're in Texas, I'd choose an in-state school where he could use the Pell Grant and Texas grants. Some universities in Texas are tuition-free for families who make less than a certain amount. I don't think the options mostly discussed on this forum are appropriate for him. We're mostly concerned with speed and out-of-pocket costs.

[dfrecore]

The usual isn't going to cut it for this kid, it's just not what we're good at discussing.

Instead, I'm looking at in-state tuition if possible, including scholarships. Forget about ACE and get a standard 4yr degree - because that will allow him to spend the time he needs taking courses, and getting things like internships, which are much more valuable for a college kid with no experience.

The only other schools you might look at: SNHU, Franklin University, UMGC, or Wilmington University.

[bjcheung77]

@TorsMama, I would continue with the current dual enrollment and maximize the first/second year credits from that source. Find local college/university he may be interested in and see what Cybersecurity or IT related programs they have at the Bachelors level. See if there is a seamless agreement for articulation before treading off to the main institutions we recommend here. It's best to max out the dual enrollment and CLEP/ModernStates option first for gen ed/free electives.

[MNomadic]

I would definitely look at what your local, in-state tuition options are, apply for FAFSA, and look at other scholarship opportunities before trying to find a cheap, out of pocket online degree. With that said, with a full pell grant and maybe a scholarship, WGU would be nearly free and has good programs for IT, Cyber, etc if your son is a motivated/disciplined self starter. You wouldn't even have to worry about finishing super fast if most of your tuition is covered.

[TorsMama]

Thank you for the ideas, everyone! Does anyone know where to go for reviews for specific colleges for specific majors?

[LevelUP]

WGU I believe you can get in at less than 18 years old
https://www.southsoundbiz.com/news/wgu-l...82b26.html

SNHU, someone said on the forum that you could get in at less than 18yrs as well.

[davewill]

Thank you for the ideas, everyone! Does anyone know where to go for reviews for specific colleges for specific majors?

Unfortunately, nothing reliable. Most of the rankings and other publications are mostly fueled by fudged up stats, if not downright lies. One truism that seems to hold up is that employers will generally favor either big name schools that they recognize, or local schools that they have had lots of experience hiring graduates from.

[sanantone]

Thank you for the ideas, everyone! Does anyone know where to go for reviews for specific colleges for specific majors?

Research the College Scorecard for objective measures of outcomes. Reviews usually skew negative because people are less motivated to make positive reviews, and some schools will pay people to write positive reviews.

https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/

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Tip: Click on the "field of study tab" and type information. Click on "Computer and Information Systems Security/Information Assurance." Cybersecurity and related programs will be included in that category. Or, you can just search individual colleges and universities.