20 Best Computer Forensics Degrees

Purdue University, located in Lafayette, IN, was founded in 1869. This public research university offers one of the best computer forensics degrees through the Department of Computer and Information Technology. 

Purdue University offers both a bachelor’s as well as a post-baccalaureate degree in cybersecurity. Here, you’ll learn how to use computer forensics software and other strategies to detect computer-related crimes like hacking. You’ll not only gain the opportunity to prepare for various tests and certification exams, but you’ll also be paired with numerous opportunities to prepare you for a rewarding career. 

In fact, Purdue University Global, the online extension of the school’s campus, uniquely prepares learners by giving them access to certain exams like the:

• CompTIA Network+
• EnCase Certified Examiner
• CompTIA Security exam

You’ll be able to pursue a variety of professional designations that will make you eligible for a more rewarding career. You can start your courses at one of four times each year. 

Classes here are small and close-knit. You’ll be able to take enriching courses in:

• UNIX fundamentals
• cryptography
• criminology
• secure coding

As you complete your studies, you’ll have access to cutting-edge labs so that you can have relevant real-world experience. There are plenty of opportunities available for internships with industry partners, too.

Want to build your own degree plan? If that’s the case, you might want to consider the Bachelor of Science in interdisciplinary engineering with a minor in cybersecurity at Texas A&M University. This program is meant for students who are inquisitive, creative, and motivated to succeed. You don’t necessarily have to have a technical background, either.

With this degree, you can specialize in an area of cybersecurity that is most closely aligned with your career objectives. The minor alone contains 16 credit hours and three different tracks:

• an interdisciplinary track
• a technology track
• an engineering track

All three will prepare you for a rewarding career. Core courses include:

• Operating Systems
• Law and Policy in Cybersecurity
• Wireless Transmission Systems

To be eligible to add the minor to your major, you will need to have a minimum GPA of 2.5 and have completed at least one term at Texas A&M. Course waivers are available in some circumstances for courses you may have already completed (or for their equivalents).

Known playfully as U-Dub, the University of Washington-Seattle is one of the country’s top public research universities. Located in the heart of Seattle and founded in 1861, this school is one of the oldest universities on the West Coast. Founded with the goal of helping with the region’s economic development, the school today enrolls more than 52,000 students.

The information assurance and cybersecurity program at the University of Washington-Seattle exists as a concentration of the informatics degree. It is a program that prepares students with the knowledge they need to create, use, and manage information systems for both large and small organizations alike. You can pursue this major at all three of the University of Washington’s campuses and you’ll benefit from an in-depth curriculum that is taught and guided by talented industry advisors. 

You’ll begin with a course in the technical, policy, and management foundations of the discipline before moving onto a self-selected sequence of electives at any campus. You can specialize in areas like:

• information assurance policy
• networking and systems administration
• secure coding

To apply, you will need to submit all materials by November 15. The University of Washington-Seattle utilizes the Coalition Application. You will also need to supply SAT/ACT test scores, copies of your high school transcripts, and lists of any honors or distinctions you may have received.

With a main campus in Tallahassee, FL, Florida State University was first established in 1851. This school is one of the state’s premier public space- and sea-grant research universities, and it’s also a senior member of the State University System of Florida.

Here, you’ll find some of the best opportunities for research and interdisciplinary learning. With 16 different colleges and more than 110 different research facilities, institutes, and labs, the school has more than 360 different programs of study. All of these provide learners with access to the school’s many laboratories and research facilities, like the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, for example. 

One of the most affordable universities in the country, this school offers an affordable bachelor’s in cyber criminology through the College of Criminology and Criminal Justice and the Department of Computer Science. You’ll take a variety of hands-on courses in subjects such as cyber forensics, information-related crime, and computer and network security as you complete a total of 120 hours of study. 

A relatively new program, this degree was offered starting only in the fall of 2007. It prepared students for work in a variety of law enforcement agencies as well as in other computer-oriented roles. Core classes include:

• CJ System Responses to Cybercrime
• Introduction to Research Methods in Criminology
• Introduction to Criminal Justice

One of the nine colonial colleges chartered before the Revolutionary War, Rutgers University has a storied past and a prestigious reputation. Chartered in 1766, this school is the eighth-oldest college in the United States and second-oldest in the state of New Jersey. Despite its antiquated past, Rutgers offers some of the most forward-thinking and technologically-oriented bachelor’s degrees.

The computer science major at Rutgers contains multiple sub-disciplines and has interdisciplinary relationships with many other fields. As a student in this program, you’ll have the opportunity to customize your degree with one of multiple tracks, including:

• computing concepts and themes
• computer and software systems
• software engineering and information management
• graphics and vision
• artificial intelligence and cognitive science
• computer security

The computer security track studies the core principles behind information assurance as well as the design and maintenance of safe computing systems. Core classes include:

• Great Insights in Computer Science
• Data 101: Data Literacy
• Data Structures 

In addition to the rigorous courses listed above, as a student at Rutgers, you’ll also have the ability to partake in dozens of different student organizations. Many of these are exclusive to the computer science and cybersecurity communities and include:

• the Creation of Games Society
• the Rutgers Quantitative Finance Club
• Rutgers Competitive Programming

These clubs and activities don’t just provide students with a way to unwind after a busy day of classes—they also provide superior opportunities for professional development and networking.

A public land-grant university in Columbus, OH, Ohio State University was originally founded in 1870 as the state’s first land-grant university. Originally known as the Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College, it originally focused primarily on agricultural and mechanical programs before becoming a more comprehensive university.

There are three majors in computer science at Ohio State University, all of which prepare students quite well for careers in computer forensics:

• the Bachelor of Science in computer science and engineering
• the Bachelor of Science in computer and information science
• the Bachelor of Arts in computer and information science

No matter which pathway you select, you’ll find that you have the utmost flexibility in tailoring your courses to your specific interests. 

In fact, the Bachelor of Science in computer and information science includes multiple specializations that can help you meet your goals. These include:

• artificial intelligence
• computer graphics and game design
• database systems and data analytics
• information and computation assurance

This concentration requires courses such as:

• Computer Networking and Internet Technologies
• Network Security
• Information Security Projects 

As a student at Ohio State, you’ll have access to all kinds of resources and services, including computing labs and extensive research facilities. You will also be able to join a number of student organizations, like the Association for Computing Machinery Committee on Women and the Minority Engineering Program. Students also attend a variety of conferences and events.

A public research university in College Park, MD, the University of Maryland-College Park was founded in 1856 as the flagship institution of the University System of Maryland. The largest university in the state, it’s home to more than 41,000 students from all fifty states and more than 100 different countries.

With 12 schools and colleges, the school has an exceptional array of degree options for you to choose from. The computer science major is offered within the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences. This program is one of the best if you are interested in specializing in computer forensics, but it’s also home to other principal areas of study, like machine learning and data science and artificial intelligence.

Although core course requirements will vary depending on your overall career goals, most students will take classes like:

• Organization of Programming Languages
• Computer and Network Security
• Computer Networks

You can also choose to add a cybersecurity specialization, which includes additional classes like:

• Cryptography
• Computer Systems Architecture
• Programming Language Technologies and Paradigms 

As a limited enrollment program, this major is highly competitive. To apply, you will need to have a minimum GPA of 2.0.

A public land grant research university in Illinois, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is located in the twin cities of Urbana and—you guessed it!—Champaign. This school is a member of the Association of American Universities, classified as one of the top research universities in the country. With 16 schools and colleges, it’s easy to understand why this large public intuition would be at the top of any ranking of computer forensics schools.

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is also home to a unique Illinois cyber security scholars Program. This program includes core classes like:

• Computer Security
• Cryptocurrency Security
• Smart Contracts and Blockchain Security
• Cyber Dystopia

What really makes this program stand out from the competition, though, is its opportunities for hands-on learning. You’ll be able to complete a summer internship in a government organization, like a National Laboratory or the National Security Agency, or you can complete two semesters of research or a project in your senior year in the field of cybersecurity, too. 

This program is funded by the National Science Foundation and provides scholarships to full-time students who are interested in specializing in cybersecurity. Graduates have gone on to work for a variety of prestigious organizations and national labs, including the Sandia National Lab and the Department of Homeland Security.

The University of Arizona was founded in 1885 as the first school in the Arizona Territory and under the auspices of the Morrill Land-Grant Act of 1862. This school now offers bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and professional degrees to students studying in 19 separate colleges and schools. 

Among these degrees is the cyber operations program. This degree is designated by the National Security Agency as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations. It’s one of only 20 cyber programs in the nation to receive this designation, a testament to the degree’s academic and technical rigor. 

As a Bachelor of Applied Science, this degree is interdisciplinary and hands-on, preparing graduates for cyber-related careers in:

• law enforcement
• defense
• private industry

There are two degree delivery plans—one is fully in-person while the other is entirely online. It includes three tracks, meaning you can choose between emphasis areas in cyber law and policy, defense and forensics, or cyber engineering. Additional certifications in available including:

• Cyber Operations
• Cybersecurity
• Cyber Defense
• Digital Forensics
• Security Computing
• Information Warfare

Accessible and academically rigorous, this degree is also affordable. It boasts reasonable tuition and a wide range of financial aid opportunities. One of them is the Cyber Scholarship Program from the Department of Defense. This program is a one-year scholarship that grants tuition, fees, and an annual stipend for talented students—plus a guaranteed job offer with the Department of Defense for computer forensics graduates.

5 Nobel laureates. 6 Pulitzer Prize winners. 19 National Academy of Sciences members. 

It goes without saying that, when you choose to study at Arizona State University, you’ll be learning from some of the very best and brightest minds in the world.

The Bachelor of Science in engineering degree in computer systems engineering has a specialization in cybersecurity. This program is designed for students who are interested in learning more about the basics of:

• microprocessor system design
• logic design
• computer interfacing
• compute architecture

The program also focuses on the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in computer forensics. 

You’ll take classes such as:

• Computer Network Security
• Computer Systems Security
• Computer and Network Forensics

Upon graduation, you’ll have a competitive advantage when it comes to pursuing graduate study in relevant research areas or to apply directly for jobs. An affordable degree, it’s offered by the School of Computing, Informatics, and Decision Systems Engineering. This reputable school offers numerous scholarships to current and incoming students each year. 

This degree is also a great choice if you know you want to pursue a master’s degree after completing your bachelor’s. The accelerated 4+1 program makes it possible for students who are enrolled in the Bachelor of Science to be admitted automatically to the Master of Science in computer engineering, graduating with both a bachelor’s and master’s in just five years of study.

Formally known as Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia Tech is a public land-grant research university located in Blacksburg, VA. With study-abroad facilities in Switzerland along with six other campuses in the state of Virginia, Virginia Tech prides itself on offering relevant, accessible degrees that are both research- and community-oriented. In fact, the school’s motto is “That I May Serve.” 

The cybersecurity minor in the College of Engineering enables graduates to pursue careers in public service as well as in the private sector. When you pursue this degree, you’ll be able to engage in all kinds of hands-on projects that will build your competencies in information technology. You’ll be well-prepared for a career in embedded systems engineering, information systems management, or many other sectors. 

This degree will prepare you to pursue professional certifications, like the certified information systems security professional. With the prime location of Virginia Tech in the mid-Atlantic region, you’ll be able to pursue work with a number of employers both during and after you complete your courses. You may even be able to consider work with the US Department of Defense Information Assurance Workforce Improvement Program. 

You’ll take a number of relevant courses, each of which is designed with input and feedback from major industry players. Some of the most common courses include:

• Network Application Design
• Internet Software Development
• Telecommunication Networks
• Computer Network Architecture and Programming

Kennesaw State University, located in Kennesaw, GA, was first founded in 1963 with the goal of boosting economic expansion following World War II with programs in business, engineering, physical sciences, criminal justice, and more. The school’s enrollment of more than 42,000 students makes it the third-largest university by enrollment in the state of Georgia.

The information systems major at Kennesaw State is uniquely offered by the Coles College of Business. As a result, this degree focuses not only on building technically-proficient computer forensics professionals but also on developing the soft skills in leadership and business necessary to succeed in any setting.

The Bachelor of Business Administration in information security and assurance is taught by faculty who are actively engaged with security experts. It has a superior placement rate for graduates, with alumni going on to earn high starting salaries. You’ll take the typical core classes in information assurance that you might expect—such as:

• Security Script Programming
• Server System Security
• Information Security
• Assurance Programs and Strategies

However, you’ll also be able to take more out-of-the-box courses in business concepts like Operations Management, Principles of Marketing, and Legal and Ethical Environment of Business to provide you with a truly versatile and one-of-a-kind degree.

With seven museums, 17 libraries, and a number of auxiliary research facilities, the University of Texas at Austin is more than just a university—it’s a force to be reckoned with. This school, recognized as a Public Ivy, is a major center for academic research and has contributed in countless ways to academia and economic development.

The computer forensics pathway exists as a cybersecurity concentration within the Department of Computer Science. The program features 12 credit hours of cutting-edge courses with practical applications. It can be tacked on to any computer science degree without adding additional time or cost to the program. 

One of the most in-demand programs offered at the University of Texas at Austin. It is offered on a campus that is located in a city with a high potential for high-paying jobs in cybersecurity. That’s according to a recent survey by Indeed.

While you’re enrolled in this program, you’ll complete courses such as:

• Cryptography
• Network Security and Privacy
• Contemporary Issues in Computer Science

You can choose to pursue other concentrations as well, including those in areas like mobile computing and game development.

With more than 100 miles of coastline, it would be easy to assume that Florida Atlantic University is nothing more than a party school. After all, what could be better than attending college on the beach?

While Florida Atlantic does have some pretty spectacular scenery to brag about, the reality is that this public university is actually one of the best in the country. It is classified among R2: Doctoral Universities-High Research Activity and offers more than 170 different undergraduate and graduate degree programs within ten colleges.

The cybersecurity program at Florida Atlantic is offered as a concentration in the management information systems program. It’s just one of many available options, with other high-profile pathways including business analytics, social media, and operations management. If you’re interested in pursuing the cybersecurity pathway, you’ll take innovative, hands-on courses such as:

• Computer Forensics
• Management of Information Assurance and Security
• Introduction to Cybersecurity

While you’re enrolled, you’ll learn how to use all kinds of relevant and important cybersecurity technologies, including:

• Snort
• GREYC Keystroke
• MS Security Compliance Manager

You’ll benefit from comprehensive connections with local corporations and program alumni as well as guest speakers and company projects.

Located in St. Petersburg, FL, St. Petersburg College offers a quality computer forensics degree. This school was established in 1927 as St. Petersburg Junior College and despite offering only a handful of programs at its inception, the school is now known as one of the premier institutions of higher education in the state.

This program features eight-week courses that can be completed on-campus, online, or in a blended format. You’ll learn everything you need to know about:

• information security policy administration and management
• security essentials
• core security principles
• strategic cybersecurity enforcement

A total of 120 credit hours are required.

Formally referred to as the Bachelor of Applied Science in technology development and management, this affordable degree includes multiple sub-plans besides cybersecurity, including:

• project management
• software development
• data science
• software assurance

You’ll learn the best ways to achieve your goals as a manager and to improve your productivity in your organization. 

To be admitted to this program, you will need to have 60 credits of college-level coursework from a regionally accredited university. These courses should have been completed with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.

As a public university, Indiana University Bloomington is part of the Indiana University system. Surprisingly, this school’s enrollment includes a population that is only 55% Indiana students. The remainder are from the rest of the 50 states along with 165 different countries.

With this kind of diversity comes a commitment to academic excellence and prestige. The school has numerous schools and programs, including the Jacobs School of Music and the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering.

This is where you will find the Bachelor of Science in cybersecurity and global policy, which exists as a partnership with the Luddy School, the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies, and the College of Arts and Sciences.

In this program, you’ll gain in-depth training in the technology behind networked and CyberSystems. You’ll also learn the global social policy implications that these relationships have. You’ll learn about all of the implications that security protocols have, including those in the cultural, economic, and legal space. The curriculum is highly interdisciplinary and hands-on. 

Core courses include:

• Analytical Foundations of Security
• Introduction to the Mathematics of Cybersecurity
• Culture in the Digital Age

The University of North Texas is located in Denton, TX, and is home to 14 colleges and schools along with an early admissions math and science academy. The school is classified as one of the highest-performing research institutions in the state, spending more than $78 million a year on research and development. 

Because of this, you’ll find that the computer forensics program here is one of the best and most forward-thinking of its kind. The Bachelor of Science in cybersecurity program is built around the ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering & Technology) framework. You’ll gain the skills in creativity and innovation that you need to be successful in the fast-paced cybersecurity world. 

The curriculum includes all kinds of collaborative project-based activities, with core and elective courses including:

• Social Issues in Computing
• Secure Software Systems
• Applications of Cryptography

You will complete a minimum of 120 semester hours and can graduate in as little as two years. 

Not only that, but this degree can easily be completed with an additional undergraduate cybersecurity certificate. This certificate is offered by the UNT Center for Information and Cyber Security. This Center has been designated by the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education and Research.

Although Pennsylvania State University is today known as a Public Ivy (a public university providing a quality of education that is comparable to that of an Ivy League school), this university wasn’t always so large—or so far-reaching. In fact, it was originally founded in 1855 as the Farmers’ Highschool of Pennsylvania and provided primarily agricultural programs.

Both the main campus of Pennsylvania State and the world campus—the online version of this university—offer programs in computer forensics. You’ll enjoy maximum flexibility as you learn how to identify potential cybersecurity risks and to prevent future attacks with relevant forensic tools and software. 

The degree offers an unparalleled level of convenience. The cybersecurity analytics and operations program will provide you with the skills you need to help protect vulnerable information from hackers and to investigate, analyze, and prevent major cyberattacks. 

Core courses include:

• Incident Handling and Response
• Malware Analytics
• Integration of Privacy and Security

You’ll be required to complete a minimum of one internship before graduation, too—but don’t worry, because the College of Information Sciences and Technology has partnerships with more than 300 different organizations via the Career Solutions Team.

Another school that is recognized as a Public Ivy, the University of Connecticut is located in Storrs, CT and is just half an hour away from the capital of Hartford.

The Bachelor of Science in computer science at the University of Connecticut is offered by the award-winning School of Engineering. You’ll be able to choose from a handful of in-demand concentrations here, including:

• algorithms and theory
• systems and networks
• software design and development
• cybersecurity

The cybersecurity concentration includes core courses such as:

• Cybersecurity Lab
• Contemporary Issues in Computer Science and Engineering
• Social, Ethical, and Professional Issues in Computer Science and Engineering

As one of the nation’s Top 25 public universities, the University of Connecticut is one of the best places for research-focused students to study. You’ll be able to work in your choice of 80 different research centers and institutes and enjoy a small student-to-faculty ratio as you do so.

Despite only having attained university status in 2008, Utah Valley University offers some of the best programs in computer science. This school awards master’s, bachelor’s, and associate degrees, but was first known as the Central Utah Vocational School, where it offered federal work program classes. 

Today, the school offers dozens of majors in a variety of in-demand fields. The Bachelor of Science in information technology can be pursued with a number of concentrations, including the computer forensics and security pathway. 

This emphasis area will prepare you to identify, analyze, and extract valuable data from all kinds of electronic devices, including smartphones. You’ll take core classes such as:

• Scripting for Administrators
• Computer Forensic Fundamentals
• Digital Forensics Investigations

A total of 122 credit hours are required. You’ll learn from faculty who are some of the best in their fields of research and benefit from close connections with industry partners.