Schools that have extensive networking connections may help graduates in cyber security land a top position. The University of Massachusetts, for example, has connections with the cyber firm Raytheon, while the University of Maryland sees recruiters from the firm Booz, Allen, Hamilton every graduating year.
Colleges or universities that have large amounts of federal and state funding or donor money for computer technology, as well as homeland security training, are among the best school choices for cyber security training. One example of a large donor is the National Science Foundation. The National Science Foundation is a large contributor to universities with computer technology programs. Schools like Syracuse University, George Mason University and the University of Pittsburgh all have funds from the National Science Foundation.
Schools in direct communication with the Department of Defense or the Department of Homeland Security are top academic candidates for students in the cyber security field. For example, Oklahoma State University offers scholarships from the Department of Defense for students in information assurance. The University of Washington's Center for Information Assurance and Cybersecurity has a record of producing many future employees of the Department of Homeland Security.