Which is better for an undergraduate cybersecurity degree: Arizona State or the University of Maryland?

For undergraduate cybersecurity, the University of Maryland is the more compelling choice for academic depth and access to cybersecurity-focused careers. Its B.S. in Cybersecurity Engineering is housed in the A. James Clark School of Engineering, giving students a technical foundation in areas such as secure systems, networks, hardware, software, and cryptography.

Maryland’s cybersecurity ecosystem is a meaningful advantage. The university’s Maryland Cybersecurity Center connects faculty research across computing, engineering, policy, and related fields, and students can benefit from a campus culture shaped by government and security-sector recruiting. For someone interested in technically intensive roles such as security engineering, vulnerability research, systems security, or work connected to the public sector, that environment can translate into stronger internship and networking options during the school year.

Arizona State has a legitimate and practical cybersecurity program, particularly through its engineering and computing offerings, and its scale can create many course, club, and internship possibilities. ASU is also recognized for cyber defense education and has strong connections to the growing Phoenix-area technology economy. It may be especially appealing for a student who prefers a large, flexible university setting or expects to build a career in Arizona or the broader Southwest.

The key distinction is that Maryland’s program and location create a more concentrated path into the cybersecurity field itself, while ASU offers a broader large-university experience with solid technical preparation. Before deciding, compare the required course sequences and ask each school which employers recruit specifically for undergraduate cybersecurity internships, since internship access will matter as much as the degree title.