The recognition appears in Programs.com’s Top Cybersecurity Degree Programs in California guide, which evaluates associate, bachelor’s, and master’s programs based on curriculum strength, affordability, workforce alignment, and career outcomes.
Cybersecurity continues to be a critical workforce need in California, which leads the nation in reported cybercrime losses and remains among the top-paying states for cybersecurity professionals. Employment for information security analysts in the state is projected to grow significantly over the next decade, driven by increased digital threats and major public and private investments in cybersecurity infrastructure and training.
San Diego City College’s Bachelor of Science in Cyber Defense and Analysis is a STEM-designated program designed to meet today’s cybersecurity workforce demands. The curriculum aligns with national cybersecurity workforce frameworks and prepares students for real-time defensive cyber operations, industry-recognized certifications, and careers that support critical infrastructure, business continuity, and risk management.
“This recognition reflects the intentional work we have done to build a program that is rigorous, practical, and aligned with industry needs,” said Professor David Kennemer. “Our curriculum emphasizes hands-on experience, ethical responsibility, and strategic thinking so students graduate ready to protect complex systems and respond effectively to modern cyber threats.”
Offered with online and in-person options, the program emphasizes applied learning, analytical thinking, and the ethical and societal impacts of cybersecurity. By offering a four-year degree at community college tuition rates, San Diego City College expands access to above-livable-wage careers and helps diversify the cybersecurity workforce.
This spring, San Diego City College will celebrate the graduation of the program’s first cohort, marking a major milestone for the college and its growing role in California’s cybersecurity talent pipeline.
For students, the recognition reinforces the program’s real-world impact.
“Cyber defense isn’t abstract here,” said student Venkateswar Rao Vadlamudi, secretary of the college’s Cyber Club and a member of the program’s first cohort who will graduate this spring. “I work with real risks and real tools, learning to think like a defender in a world full of digital threats.”
Programs.com is a national resource that helps prospective students identify high-quality academic programs in fast-growing fields. San Diego City College’s inclusion reflects its continued commitment to workforce development, educational equity, and student success.
Learn about the Cyber Defense and Analysis Program