U of A Earns Top 5 Ranking in Bachelor’s Degrees Conferred in Military, Legal, Technology and Languages Categories
The University of Arizona ranks among the nation’s top institutions in awarding bachelor’s degrees across several high-impact disciplines, according to new data published by The Chronicle of Higher Education. Drawing from U.S. Department of Education statistics, the Chronicle’s analysis spans degrees conferred between 2018 and 2023 and highlights leading institutions in 32 academic categories.
The University of Arizona earned top-five national rankings in four key areas:
- Military technologies and applied sciences: No. 2, with 196 degrees conferred
- Legal professions and studies: No. 4, with 151 degrees
- Science technologies/technicians: No. 4, with 42 degrees
- Foreign languages, literature and linguistics: No. 5, with 149 degrees
These rankings reflect U of A’s deep and ongoing commitment to disciplines central to public service, national defense and global engagement. The university’s strength in military technologies, in particular, underscores the strategic importance of its programs in cybersecurity and applied computing—many of which are now housed in the College of Information Science.
At the forefront of this effort is the Bachelor of Applied Science in Cyber Operations, a nationally recognized program that prepares students to meet the growing challenges of cybersecurity in both military and civilian contexts. Designated as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations by the National Security Agency, the program offers an applied curriculum in areas such as cyber warfare, network defense, malware analysis and reverse engineering—critical skillsets in an era where cyber threats are increasingly sophisticated and persistent.
Notably, the Cyber Operations program is designed with military-connected students in mind. It is available fully online, allowing active-duty service members, veterans and Department of Defense employees to pursue their degrees regardless of location. The applied science focus ensures that students are not only grounded in theory but also prepared for the complex, real-time demands of securing national infrastructure and digital systems.
“The Bachelor’s in Cyber Operations is more than an academic pathway—it is mission-driven, preparing our students to engage directly in the defense of critical systems and information,” says Michael McKisson, associate dean for undergraduate academic affairs at the College of Information Science. “Whether supporting cybersecurity initiatives, contributing to national cyber policy or redefining the future of information security in an increasingly interconnected world, our Cyber Operations graduates are equipped to lead.”
As the boundaries between cyber, military, legal and linguistic domains continue to blur, the University of Arizona and College of Information Science stand at the intersection—educating students who will shape the future of information.