Colorado has longstanding connections to the defense and high-tech industries, making it an ideal breeding ground for cybersecurity innovation.

This high impact on tech industries has created a demand for cybersecurity professionals, and even according to Cyberstate, there are about 736,417 cybersecurity and systems engineers jobs you can leverage from.

This article will help you find the schools in the state where you can get your cyber education, it will also introduce you to related opportunities like scholarships you can also apply for.

Related: 10 Best Colleges in Aurora Colorado

Cybersecurity in Colorado

The Colorado Sun, a news firm has made it very clear that the state has a shortage of cybersecurity workers and the number of publicly reported data breaches in the United States more than doubled since 2015 to 1,862.

And even according to 9News, Colorado is putting an emphasis to strengthen their cyber defense and has explained that the U.S. infrastructures should be prepared as it might be impacted by cyberattacks.

You can become a cybersecurity expert in Colorado and work in this field and even make a lucrative career.

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What are the best Cybersecurity Schools in Colorado?

The list below shows the most recommended schools in the state where you can get top-notch cybersecurity training, it is in no particular order.

1. Arapahoe Community College

Arapahoe Community College was founded in 1965 as Arapahoe Junior College and was the region’s first two-year college. Sturm Collaboration Campus at Castle Rock is provided by ACC in collaboration with Douglas County School District and CSU.

The Computer Network Technology program prepares individuals for jobs in the computer networking field.

Students in this program gain hands-on experience with computer hardware, software, and networks. For the Associate’s Program, students will obtain Computer Network Technology – Network Security AAS.

Also, you can join an in-demand field and provide online defense with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Cybersecurity from Arapahoe Community College.

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2. Front Range Community College

Front Range Community College is also one of the best cybersecurity schools in Colorado offering an outstanding certificate program that aims to equip students with the necessary skills for entry-level positions in the computer networking industry and provides working professionals with opportunities for career advancement.

By successfully acquiring the FRCC Cybersecurity Certificate in Cloud Computing, you demonstrate that you have received comprehensive training in network security and are well-prepared for the challenges of the field.

Moreover, the program covers various crucial aspects of cybersecurity, such as communication security. Through this program, you will delve into topics such as;

• Remote access
• Email security
• Web security
• Directory and file transfer security, and
• Wireless data security.

This comprehensive coverage allows you to develop a broad skill set that is highly valued in the industry.

3. Pikes Peak Community College

Pikes Peak Community College is one of the top public community colleges in Colorado Springs and the largest institution of higher education in the Pike’s Peak region.

Attending Pikes Peak Community College’s Cyber Security degree program can be a highly advantageous choice for individuals as the program equips students with a wide range of skills and knowledge necessary for success in the field.

Here are several reasons why Pikes Peak Community College stands out as one of the best cybersecurity schools in Colorado:

• Comprehensive Curriculum
• Networking Expertise
• Risk Assessment and Countermeasures
• Perimeter Defense and Penetration Testing
• Scripting and Programming Skills
• Effective Communication

By attending Pikes Peak Community College’s Cyber Security degree program, you will acquire a well-rounded education that covers essential cybersecurity concepts and practical skills, positioning you as a highly competent professional in the industry.

4. Pueblo Community College

Pueblo Community College provides a dedicated lab for all security and forensic classes in the cybersecurity program, it is the only Colorado community college currently offering an online option for associate’s degrees in cybersecurity.

It is separate from the school network, allowing us to run programs that would not be allowed on a system network. Here is their Program Information

• Pathway: Technology
• Awards: AAS, Certificate Course Availability
• Day: Evening, Online
• Program Start: Every Semester
• Program Length: 5 Semesters.

5. Red Rocks Community College

Red Rocks Community College was established in 1969 and has assisted students in meeting ambitious career and educational goals in an exciting, collaborative environment with multiple pathways to success.

They deliver career-enhancing courses, certificate programs, and degrees that represent a solid investment in each student’s goals and career success. Students who enroll in the cybersecurity program will obtain A.A.S. in Cybersecurity & Cloud Computing for this College.

The student also gets a scholarship program titled Cyber Security Scholarship, An award worth $7,500 a year is huge for associate degree students — and your odds of getting one are decent, with 12 scholarships handed out each year.

To qualify, you’ll need to be a full-time student with a 3.0 studying toward a Programming Specialist, Web Development, Network Specialist, Cyber Security Specialist, or Computer Science credential.

6. University of Denver

The University of Denver, Is the top transfer destination among Colorado colleges and universities, our students are engaged citizens, making an immediate impact on our workforce and community from the moment they enroll.

For the bachelor’s program, students obtain a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems – Information Systems Security Concentration.

The University of Denver colleges currently offer campus-based certification courses, students will develop specific technical knowledge skills and learn to place cybersecurity solutions within an overall enterprise context.

The curriculum aligns with the Common Body of Knowledge for CISSP certification and learns to place cyber security solutions within an overall enterprise context.

7. United States Air Force Academy

In 1954, the idea for the United States Air Force Academy was approved – seven years after the Air Force was officially established.

They offer a Cyber Science Major degree. However, the Cyber Science major focuses on computer programming, embedded systems, networks, telecommunications, computer systems, computer investigations, and cyber operations.

They also offer scholarship programs called Cadet Benefits, If you’re fortunate enough to be accepted to the U.S. Air Force Academy, you won’t pay a cent for your education, no matter the major.

8. Colorado Technical University

Colorado Technical University offers on-campus, hybrid, and fully online criminal justice degree program options.

The general track and homeland security degree concentrations are offered at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, with three additional concentrations available at the bachelor’s level, providing more opportunities for you to find the academic path that best fits your interests.

Their on-campus and online criminal justice Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice – Cybercrime and Security and Master’s degree programs are designed to impart industry-relevant knowledge that can be applied to the criminal justice field.

9. Colorado State University-Global Campus

Colorado State University CSU Global’s Cybersecurity Bachelor’s Degree requires the completion of 120 total credits, including a mix of core degree courses, general education courses, elective courses, optional degree specializations, and an Online Certificate of Completion/Degree Specialization in Cyber Security.

Students can apply for Dakin Scholarship, worth $5,000 to $7,500 is reserved for undergraduate and graduate Cybersecurity students who hold a 3.0 GPA.

10. Regis University

Established in 1887 with its main campus located at Northwest Denver, Regis University stands out as one of the best cybersecurity schools in Colorado, offering a program that provides exceptional opportunities for individuals interested in computer forensics and network analysis.

Students enrolling in this program will be given both theoretical and hands-on experiences in;

• Computer Forensics
• Network Forensics Analysis
• Malicious Program Analysis, and
• Integration of Legal Policies

Enrolling in Regis University’s Cybersecurity Program can offer you numerous advantages for your cybersecurity education, students can also benefit from the school’s reputation for excellence which can entice most employers.

Cybersecurity Salaries in Colorado

A 2016 study published by Indeed.com found that, after adjusting for the cost of living, Denver was the fifth-highest-paying city for information security specialists, better than hotspots like New York and D.C.

The U.S. government, which tracks wage and employment data for information security analysts, comes to a similar conclusion about the state of Colorado as a whole: The average analyst there pulls in $98,000 a year, compared to $90,000 nationally.

The gross earnings are even higher outside of the capital, with workers from Boulder, Colorado Springs, and Fort Collins compensated at a higher rate than their Denver peers.

Cybersecurity Jobs in Colorado

According to cybersecurity.org, Denver is the Centennial State’s capital; most of the action in the cybersecurity industry lies in Colorado Springs, where the defense and high-tech industries are the biggest employers.

Cybersecurity Venture state that, Colorado Springs boasts the eighth-highest concentration of information security analysts in the country, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That number is driven in part by root9B, a Colorado Springs-based company that Cybersecurity Ventures ranked the top employer in the sector in 2016.

The state is hoping to cash in on the area’s thriving tech economy by creating the National Cybersecurity Center to train future professionals and connect them with industry partners.

Conclusion

Getting the right school for your cybersecurity program is the best if you want to get experience in the cybersecurity world. Cybersecurity in Colorado is worth it, not only do they offer quality education but they also provide potential connections and some grant scholarships that can be applied for.