Should You Get an Online Cybersecurity Bachelor’s Degree?

An online cybersecurity Bachelor’s degree prepares you for a career in an industry where professionals remain in high demand heading into 2027.

According to Cyberseek, there are 514,359 new US cybersecurity job listings posted online each year. The total available workforce is only sufficient to meet 74% of employer demand, pointing to a continued skills shortage.

Having said that, the growing number of cybersecurity graduates has increased entry-level competition. The latest available data shows that cybersecurity is one of the fastest-growing Bachelor’s degrees in the US, based on the number of degrees conferred. At the same time, only 15% of new hires in the industry are recent graduates starting out in their careers, with the majority of vacancies aimed at professionals with more experience.

Even so, two-thirds of cybersecurity graduates enter full-time employment within 15 months of graduating. Plenty more go into further education or part-time work.

How AI May Impact Your Decision

Fears over the impact of AI and automation on entry-level cybersecurity positions have not come to pass. Rob Lee, Chief of Research at the SANS Institute, says that the number of entry-level roles has actually increased.

Instead, it’s important to look for Bachelor’s programs that teach AI cybersecurity skills. A CISCO study found that 49% of security leaders consider hands-on AI skills to be one of the hardest skills to find among entry-level cybersecurity candidates.

For example, a current job listing for a graduate cybersecurity role lists AI/LLM exposure among the desired skills:

Why You Might Choose an Online Cybersecurity Program

There are several reasons why you might choose to pursue a 100% online cybersecurity Bachelor’s program:

An online Bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity also holds exactly the same status as a degree earned in person. Generally, institutions which offer both campus and online formats (e.g. Arizona State) don’t distinguish between the two on the final diploma.

However, you should consider potential trade-offs involved in online study when it comes to student experience and networking opportunities. The best online cybersecurity programs make some provision for virtual networking and careers events, e.g. online webinars, interview prep, and job boards at Southern New Hampshire University.

Typical Course Structure In An Online Cybersecurity Bachelor’s Degree

Each online cybersecurity Bachelor’s degree program offers its own unique set of courses. In fact, the courses on offer can be a key factor to consider when choosing the right program for you.

However, lots of fundamentals appear in the majority of undergraduate cybersecurity programs. A typical program is structured along these lines:

General Education: 30 credits

IT / Computer Science Core: 30 credits

Cybersecurity Core: 45 credits

Electives + Capstone: 15 credits

Total: 120 credits

Common core cybersecurity courses include:

Electives may include:

AI courses are also gradually working their way onto core cybersecurity curriculums. 82.6% of phishing emails are now created using AI, and 87% of security leaders are seeing more AI-driven cyber threats overall.

The University of North Dakota is among the schools to have added AI to its core cybersecurity curriculum, alongside more traditional cyber courses like Secure Software Engineering, and Computer and Network Security.

Online Cybersecurity Bachelor’s Degree Graduate Outcomes

According to Payscale, the average base salary for a cybersecurity Bachelor’s degree graduate is $79,000.

A Bachelor’s degree can help you to pursue a variety of cybersecurity-related career paths:

Per Cyberseek, none of these roles routinely ask for an advanced degree (i.e. a Master’s or PhD). However, depending on the employer and the exact nature of the role, many job listings may ask for additional cybersecurity certifications and/or industry experience.

For example, an active Cybersecurity Analyst listing from UC San Francisco requires 5+ years of experience in addition to a Bachelor’s degree, with relevant certifications preferred too.

Here’s a closer look at some of the most common cybersecurity career paths for Bachelor’s degree graduates:

Incident & Intrusion Analyst

As an Incident & Intrusion Analyst, you’ll be on the first line of defense, monitoring cybersecurity systems for live threats and suspicious patterns.

An Incident & Intrusion Analyst might also be called a Security Analyst, Cybersecurity Analyst, or SOC (Security Operations Center) Analyst. Roles are often divided into “tiers,” with Tier 1 being entry-level.

Incident & Intrusion Analyst roles are a good potential starting point for cybersecurity graduates with limited extra experience. For example, a live Tier 1 SOC Analyst role only requests a degree plus a year of security operations experience (which may be fulfilled by an internship, e.g. the 3 semesters of co-op experiences at the University of Cincinnati).

Average base salary: $104,000 (Glassdoor)

Cybersecurity Engineer

A Security/Cybersecurity Engineer is responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining secure systems to protect an organization’s data, networks, and applications.

Job titles in cybersecurity tend to have a lot of flexibility, so there’s no concrete hierarchy, but Security Engineers tend to be more senior than analysts. Often, they will be tasked with building defensive tools and systems, as opposed to just monitoring for threats.

Cybersecurity Engineer roles generally require some hands-on experience in addition to a Bachelor’s degree, but some graduates may be able to secure a position.

Average base salary: $131,000 (Glassdoor)

Penetration Tester

A Penetration Tester is involved in offensive security (“red teaming”). You’ll be doing ethical hacking: actively trying to break a company’s security systems, so that defensive teams know what needs to be patched.

It’s quite a specialized role, so additional penetration testing certifications are nearly always required on top of a Bachelor’s degree. But with the right degree + certifications combination, you should be able to find a role without needing too much experience.

Here are the requirements from a live junior penetration testing role, including a request for at least one industry certification:

Average base salary: $118,000 (Glassdoor)

General Computer Science roles

Particularly if you’ve taken a reasonable amount of Computer Science core as part of your cybersecurity degree, you’ll also be able to consider more general CS roles:

However, you may find yourself at a disadvantage compared to Computer Science or AI Bachelor’s degree graduates when applying for roles like these. CS graduates earn an average base salary of $99,000, so if you’re not sure about specializing in cybersecurity, you may be better off picking a CS degree.

Methodology: How We Evaluated Online Bachelor’s in Cybersecurity Programs

We track 282 undergraduate cybersecurity programs with a fully online option (this includes BS in Information Technology programs with a cybersecurity concentration option). In order to determine which programs are ideal for prospective students in 2027, we developed a weighted algorithm. This proprietary algorithm measures six key factors that go into determining the best online bachelor’s programs in cybersecurity.

Specifically, we assessed each of the following on a sliding scale in order to generate an overall score:

We considered all of these questions for every online bachelor’s degree program currently being offered in the US. Based on the results, this is our top 25.

25 Best Online Cybersecurity Bachelor’s Degree Programs

1

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona

Overview

  • Cyber Operations, BS
  • Availability: Online or campus
  • Estimated tuition cost: $63,000
  • Best for: Academic quality, curriculum relevance
  • Accreditation: WASC

Program summary

The University of Arizona is one of only 10 institutions nationwide (campus or online) to hold all 3 CAE designations at once, which is effectively a guarantee of quality. The school actually offers 2 undergraduate cybersecurity programs, the BS in Cyber Operations and the BAS in Cyber Defense. Both are excellent, but the BS serves as the flagship cyber degree.

One of the most impressive qualities of the program is the up-to-date curriculum. You can choose AI as an emphasis area, taking courses like Machine Learning in Cyber Operations, Deep Learning in Cyber, and Artificial Intelligence in Cyber Operations (I and II). As a result, when you graduate, you’ll be ready to tackle the realities of modern cybersecurity roles.

The program is also available on campus, where in-state students can access even lower rates (under $50,000 in total).

2

SANS Technology Institute

North Bethesda, Maryland

Overview

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Cybersecurity (BACS)
  • Availability: Online or campus
  • Estimated tuition cost: $41,650 (prior credits required)
  • Best for: Graduate outcomes, embedded certifications
  • Accreditation: MSCHE

Program summary

It’s important to say straight away that the SANS Technology Institute does not offer a complete Bachelor’s degree program. You’ll have to earn 70 credits elsewhere, before completing the upper-division coursework with SANS. This certainly won’t suit everyone, but although it’s unorthodox, the graduate outcomes alone make this a path well worth considering.

The median salary of SANS Bachelor’s degree graduates is $120,000. More than 60% of students are hired while still on the program, and 90% are employed in cybersecurity within 6 months of graduation. And these figures are highly accurate, because SANS knows the employment status of 99% of its graduates.

One of the reasons for the hugely impressive outcomes is that you aren’t just earning a Bachelor’s degree. You’ll also get 9 GIAC certifications along the way, in areas including security operations, penetration testing, and digital forensics. This is a powerful addition to your resume, given that many openings request a Bachelor’s degree + certifications.

Earning lower-division credits elsewhere can also be a cost-effective way of earning a cybersecurity Bachelor’s degree. The in-county cost of an Associate’s degree at community colleges like Anne Arundel can come in under $8,000, which would earn you 61 of the 70 credits you need before transferring to SANS.

3

Old Dominion University

Norfolk, VA

Overview

  • Cybersecurity Online Program (Bachelor of Science)
  • Availability: Online or campus
  • Estimated tuition cost: $53,160 in-state, $54,360 out-of-state
  • Best for: Academic quality
  • Accreditation: SACSCOC

Program summary

Old Dominion boasts a strong cybersecurity curriculum that gives you a comprehensive general education, as well as a good amount of choice over what you study. Your electives will fall into two categories: Principles (e.g. Cryptography, Cyber Physical Systems), and Applications (e.g. Applied Machine Learning in Cybersecurity, Penetration Testing). You’ll also get the chance to do an internship as part of your capstone assessment, gaining important real-world experience.

Delivered through ODU Global, the online program is well-constructed. Courses are offered in an accelerated 8-week format, and there are no set meeting times, so you can take them on your own schedule. If you’ve already earned some cybersecurity certifications, you can apply those toward your degree, up to a maximum of 6 credits. You can also transfer up to 90 credits from elsewhere, although you can take the full 120 credits at ODU if you’re yet to start working toward your Bachelor’s degree.

You might assume that ODU lacks prestige compared to other options. After all, it’s not considered a top-300 school nationwide overall. However, its cybersecurity credentials are indisputable: it ranks as one of just 10 schools to hold triple CAE-designated status. Old Dominion’s research credentials are further underlined by its R1 status.

4

Dakota State University

Madison, SD

Overview

  • Cyber Operations, BS
  • Availability: Online or campus
  • Estimated tuition cost: $44,856 in-state, $58,980 out-of-state
  • Best for: Hands-on practice
  • Accreditation: HLC

Program summary

Dakota State is another rare case of a university with both a fully-online cybersecurity program and triple CAE designation. The school is renowned for its cybersecurity expertise, which brings with it opportunities such as scholarships, extra-curricular clubs, and opportunities to take part in competitions and conferences.

You’ll benefit from a curriculum that gives you a taste for all sides of cybersecurity. You’ll take courses in both offensive and defensive network security, while also covering topics like networking and malware analysis. 90 out of 120 total credits fall under the cybersecurity major (as opposed to general education), so you’ll get a highly focused experience.

Total estimated tuition is about $44,856 for residents, rising to $58,980 for non-residents. In either case, you’ll have a good chance of a quick ROI, because the average graduate starting salary is $61,174. What’s more, DSU boasts a 98.9% placement rate (employment or further education), per data from the latest class of graduates. DSU is particularly well-suited for students seeking hands-on experience in cyber operations, with labs and practical exercises built into most courses.

5

University of Maryland Global Campus

Adelphi, MD

Overview

  • Online Bachelor’s Degree, Cybersecurity Technology
  • Availability: Online
  • Estimated tuition cost: $40,440 in-state, $59,880 out-of-state
  • Best for: Accessibility
  • Accreditation: MSCHE

Program summary

The cybersecurity program at the University of Maryland Global Campus ranks highly for its rolling admissions process with flexible start dates. It is fully online and asynchronous, making it easy to fit around work or other commitments, which is ideal for busy adult learners.

In terms of the program content, UMGC will prepare you for the workplace through a variety of hands-on tasks: previous course projects have included simulated SQL attacks and penetration tests. In addition, you’ll be able to join the award-winning Cybersecurity Competition Team, which competes in national competitions. The course content is aligned to various widely-recognized industry certifications, so you’ll be well placed to earn extra qualifications once you graduate.

You’ll also be getting a modern cybersecurity education, with AI Security among the courses on the required curriculum. You’ll cover how to use AI for cyber defense, and how to guard against AI threats and vulnerabilities. All of this comes at a reasonable tuition cost, especially for in-state students.

6

Champlain College

Burlington, VT

Overview

  • Cybersecurity Online Bachelor’s Degree Program
  • Availability: Online
  • Estimated tuition cost: $41,040
  • Best for: Hands-on practice
  • Accreditation: NECHE

Program summary

The cybersecurity curriculum at Champlain College does a really good job of preparing you for the workplace. You’ll need to complete virtual labs designed to mirror real-world scenarios, and you’ll be using industry-standard software like Metasploit, Nessus, and Burp (tools often mentioned by name in job listings). You can further boost your resume with a “degree enhancer” undergraduate certificate in areas like Advanced Cybersecurity or Digital Forensics, which you can earn as part of the degree program simply by taking a particular sequence of courses.

At $342 per credit, Champlain is one of the cheaper options on our list. It also runs a slightly accelerated schedule: taking 2 courses per term, you’ll finish in 3.5 years, at a time commitment of around 30-36 hours per week. That’s extremely manageable if you’re studying full-time, and not completely implausible if you’re working toward the degree alongside a job (although you’ll need to be prepared for a heavy overall workload).

7

SUNY Albany (University at Albany)

Albany, NY

Overview

  • Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
  • Availability: Online or campus
  • Estimated tuition cost: $43,975 in-state, $50,935 out-of-state
  • Best for: Curriculum personalization
  • Accreditation: MSCHE

Program summary

SUNY Albany offers an excellent modern cybersecurity Bachelor’s degree. “Exploring New Horizons in Cybersecurity” is a required course, and there are multiple electives in AI (e.g. Trustworthy AI, and Data Analytics and AI in Cybersecurity). Meanwhile, if you’re interested in a niche specialty, the University at Albany is a great choice: as well as 3 pre-made concentrations in cyber defense, cyber operations, and cyber risk management and policy, you can design your own concentration in an area of interest with guidance from advisors.

SUNY Albany is CAE-CD and CAE-R designated. The program can be completed fully online or on campus, giving you flexibility in how you pursue your studies. Total estimated tuition is about $43,975 for in-state students and $50,935 for out-of-state students on a per-credit basis, and you’ll pay even less if you’re studying full-time.

8

Western Governors University (WGU)

Salt Lake City, UT

Overview

  • Online Cybersecurity and Information Assurance Degree
  • Availability: Online
  • Estimated tuition cost: $22,125 (5 terms)
  • Best for: Accessibility and affordability
  • Accreditation: NWCCU

Program summary

The Online Cybersecurity and Information Assurance program at Western Governors University is known for its extreme affordability. Tuition is billed per 6-month term ($4,425), and 60% of graduates finish within 29 months. This equals a total 5-term tuition cost of just $22,125. Moreover, it’s possible to finish even more quickly, and therefore pay less: there are accounts of students with prior experience and credits finishing in as little as 6-12 months.

As an online-only school, WGU’s program is also built from the ground up for online learners, with no rigid class schedules. Acceptance is automatic as long as you meet the basic enrollment requirements. Elite accessibility does not come at the cost of prestige: WGU is CAE-certified in Cyber Defense, and is well-respected within the industry, especially as it includes 16 recognized external certifications, including CompTIA Security+ and CompTIA CySA+. These are all included in the price of the program, making it an even greater value-for-money proposition.

The one big caveat is that WGU is very student-led. Especially if you don’t have any prior experience in cybersecurity, you’ll need to be prepared to do a lot of self-disciplined study.

9

Norwich University

Northfield, VT

Overview

  • Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
  • Availability: Online or campus
  • Estimated tuition cost: $45,000
  • Best for: Embedded certifications
  • Accreditation: NECHE

Program summary

Many programs align their curriculums with industry certifications, but Norwich University is one of the few that actually enables you to earn them while studying at no extra cost. The CAE-CD designated program has a partnership with Hack the Box: you can access the popular cybersecurity platform and gain industry-recognized certifications like Certified Bug Bounty Hunter, Certified Defensive Security Analyst, and Certified Penetration Testing Specialist. With an average completion time of 18 months, Norwich also provides a potentially expedited route to a Bachelor’s in cybersecurity, with up to 75% of credits transferable.

Regardless of how much credit you transfer, you’ll have to complete the final capstone project before you can graduate. You’ll examine a real organization’s security positioning, presenting an in-depth analysis of the infrastructure and any potential vulnerabilities. All courses can be completed either fully online or on campus, offering flexibility for different learning preferences. There are also “A” and “B” start dates in both Fall and Spring, so you can start at various different times throughout the year.

10

Kennesaw State University

Marietta, GA

Overview

  • Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
  • Availability: Online
  • Estimated tuition cost: $24,120
  • Best for: Affordability
  • Accreditation: SACSCOC

Program summary

Kennesaw State is a standout cybersecurity pick when it comes to affordability. eMajor students get access to very competitive rates, which means you can complete the full program for under $25,000 (while getting a more conventional learning experience than somewhere like Western Governors). And there isn’t a big trade-off when it comes to quality; KSU is well-known for cybersecurity, and holds a CAE-CD designation. Having said that, the curriculum could be more up-to-date, with no explicit AI content.

The cybersecurity program is interdisciplinary, drawing from numerous other programs: the Bachelor of Business Administration in Information Security and Assurance, Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, and Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. As such, you’ll gain an education in managerial, administrative, and legal aspects of cybersecurity, in addition to the technical foundations. You’ll also have the chance to do an industry internship for academic credit.

11

University of Kansas

Lawrence, KS

Overview

  • Bachelor’s in Applied Cybersecurity
  • Availability: Online
  • Estimated tuition cost: $29,700 (prior credits required)
  • Best for: Academic quality
  • Accreditation: HLC

Program summary

The University of Kansas makes the list thanks to its strong academic reputation, both overall and when it comes to cybersecurity. It’s a top-75 public school nationally, while also holding both CAE-CD and CAE-R designations. However, like SANS, the cybersecurity Bachelor’s degree program is designed for students who have already earned an Associate’s degree or equivalent hours elsewhere.

Despite only covering upper-division content, KU still packs a lot of good things into its cybersecurity curriculum. You’ll get to cover topics like leadership and cybersecurity law alongside more technical coursework, and there’s an Emerging Technologies course to help ensure you’re learning the most up-to-date techniques and skills.

You can technically complete the full Bachelor’s degree at the University of Kansas; if you apply through the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, an academic advisor will help you pick suitable lower-level courses, and you’ll be able to declare an Applied Cybersecurity major later on. But earning an Associate’s degree elsewhere before finishing at KU is the most cost-effective route, potentially coming in below $40,000.

12

University of Cincinnati

Cincinnati, OH

Overview

  • Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
  • Availability: Online or campus
  • Estimated tuition cost: $59,296
  • Best for: Internships, hands-on practice
  • Accreditation: HLC

Program summary

If you’re looking for a hands-on cybersecurity Bachelor’s degree, the University of Cincinnati is the gold standard. Almost every course requires labs and projects as part of the assessment. Even more significantly, UC is renowned nationwide for its co-op program: students are required to complete 3 semesters of full-time, paid work within the IT and cybersecurity sector. As a result, upon graduation, you will have gained over a year of genuine industry work experience.

The University of Cincinnati is also accredited by ABET, as well as holding CAE-CD designation. The curriculum features courses on Cybercrime, Penetration Testing, Special Topics in Cybersecurity, and Network Forensics, as well as a fairly comprehensive grounding in IT and Computer Science fundamentals. There are cheaper programs out there, but UC hovers around the average for online programs, and you’ll make a lot of the tuition costs back through your co-op placements.

13

Arizona State University

Tempe, AZ

Overview

  • Bachelor of Science in Information Technology – Cybersecurity
  • Availability: Online or campus
  • Estimated tuition cost: $69,600
  • Best for: All-around
  • Accreditation: HLC

Program summary

The ASU Bachelor’s degree is actually an information technology program with a concentration in cybersecurity. But that isn’t a bad thing: the program is ABET-accredited, proving its academic credentials. US News consistently ranks Arizona State as the most innovative school in the country. And although online degrees are completely legitimate, you may find it reassuring that campus and online graduates are awarded the exact same diploma, so you don’t need to disclose your method of study to employers if you don’t want to.

It’s not the cheapest program in our rankings at $580 per credit hour, but online study still works out cheaper overall for both in-state and out-of-state students. The program is an excellent all-around option for students who want a broad IT foundation with a cybersecurity focus. Arizona State University is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), and has been recognized as the #2 public university in the US for employability.

14

University of Texas at San Antonio

San Antonio, TX

Overview

  • Bachelor of Business Administration in Cybersecurity
  • Availability: Online
  • Estimated tuition cost: $63,000
  • Best for: Business/cybersecurity split
  • Accreditation: SACSCOC

Program summary

UT San Antonio calls its online program a Bachelor of Business Administration in Cybersecurity, but that title arguably undersells its technical credentials. Impressively, the school is triple CAE-designated. And the curriculum contains a number of technical courses, including Intrusion Detection and Incident Response, Network Security, and Operating Systems and Security. You can also choose electives in fields like Malware Analysis and Digital Forensic Analysis.

However, there’s no denying that UTSA’s online program has less cybersecurity content overall than more orthodox cybersecurity programs. The major makes up 33 credit hours, while you’ll take 45-51 business “Common Body of Knowledge” credit hours. Courses include Principles of Accounting, Management Strategy, and Introduction to Business Statistics. It’s a shame that some of the classes from San Antonio’s in-person Cybersecurity major aren’t available on this program, especially AI-Driven Cybersecurity.

On the other hand, if you know you’re targeting cybersecurity management roles, the potential weakness of USTA’s program becomes a strength. You’ll graduate with a working technical knowledge of cyber systems, plus the business acumen to strategically oversee the work of engineers and analysts. It’s not a complete substitute for a cybersecurity MBA, but it covers a lot of the same ground.

15

Penn State World Campus

University Park, PA

Overview

  • Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations
  • Availability: Online
  • Estimated tuition cost: $65,152
  • Best for: Academic quality
  • Accreditation: MSCHE

Program summary

If institutional prestige is at the top of your list, then Penn State is definitely worth considering. Its online World Campus is just as well-regarded as the physical campus of the university, which is respected nationwide. Per US News, it’s a top-25 US public school. You’ll be getting a good cybersecurity education, one that includes a for-credit internship, as well as a practical capstone exercise.

The Penn State name does come at a cost: tuition is quite high. You should be especially aware of this if you’re planning to study part-time (fewer than 12 credits per semester), with the total cost of the program rising to $80,208 on a per-credit-hour basis. But you do have the flexibility to go at your own pace. And if you have your sights set on a Master’s as well, then Penn State allows you to transfer into an accelerated combined program, where you can double-count up to 12 credits.

16

Southern New Hampshire University

Manchester, NH

Overview

  • Cybersecurity Degree Online (BS)
  • Availability: Online
  • Estimated tuition cost: $42,480
  • Best for: Accessibility
  • Accreditation: NECHE

Program summary

The Southern New Hampshire University cybersecurity Bachelor’s program is offered with three possible concentrations. There’s the default, which gives you a broad general coverage, or you can opt to specialize in either Data Analytics, Project Management, or Generative AI. Unfortunately, the 12-credit AI concentration doesn’t specifically cover AI in the context of cybersecurity, but it might still look good to employers to have done some general artificial intelligence training. And although there is no single dedicated course, you will touch upon AI-enabled security technologies in parts of the core cybersecurity curriculum.

Where SNHU really shines is its accessibility. Terms are 8 weeks, and you can begin at the start of any new term, with applications open until 2 days before the term begins. Once enrolled, you can learn on your own schedule, with 24/7 support available. And if you have prior relevant education or certificates, you can transfer up to 90 of the 120 required credits. Even without transfer credits, you can finish in as little as 2 years by taking 2 courses per term.

To top it off, SNHU’s online programs have no GPA requirements for undergraduates, so it’s a great option for anyone with a weak or non-traditional academic background. You can complete the application in as little as 5 minutes. The school doesn’t have a massive national reputation, but it is CAE-CD designated, and you’ll learn all the cybersecurity essentials while paying well below average tuition rates.

17

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, ND

Overview

  • Cybersecurity Degree (Bachelor of Science)
  • Availability: Online or campus
  • Estimated tuition cost: $76,751
  • Best for: Curriculum relevance, hands-on practice
  • Accreditation: HLC

Program summary

The cybersecurity program at the University of North Dakota earns a lot of credit for staying up to date with changes in the industry. AI is now a part of the core curriculum, and Machine Learning is available as one of your cybersecurity electives. You can also choose to take a graduate-level course in Emerging Threats and Defenses. UND is CAE-R designated, certifying a high quality of research, so it comes as no surprise that the curriculum keeps up with the times.

A 2-semester senior design sequence is another curriculum highlight. You’ll work with industry partners on real problems, getting the chance to design and test your own cybersecurity project. This somewhat makes up for the lack of internship options, providing an alternative route to the kind of experience and/or portfolio that employers are looking for.

Tuition costs are definitely on the high side. And if you’re an in-state resident, it’s worth being aware that you’ll be missing out on a discounted in-state rate if you choose to study online. But in fairness, UND says that 77% of undergraduates receive financial aid, with an average annual payment of $13,500.

18

Ferris State University

Big Rapids, MI

Overview

  • Bachelor of Science in Information Security and Intelligence
  • Availability: Online, campus, hybrid
  • Estimated tuition cost: $62,496
  • Best for: Curriculum relevance
  • Accreditation: HLC

Program summary

The Bachelor’s of Information Security and Intelligence at Ferris State is accredited by ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology). With a program built alongside experts from the Pentagon, Homeland Security, and Fortune 500 companies, it’s designed to set students up for a real-world cybersecurity career. Alumni have gone on to major success, with one former student earning recognition as the NCIS Agent of the Year.

Ferris State is an especially strong option for students who want coursework that closely tracks current and emerging cybersecurity practice. The curriculum is kept up to date, becoming the first to be recognized by the NSA as a Center of Academic Excellence in Secure Artificial Intelligence. This program is offered online, on-campus in Michigan, or in a hybrid format.

19

Columbus State University

Columbus, GA

Overview

  • Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
  • Availability: Online, campus, hybrid
  • Estimated tuition cost: $22,680
  • Best for: Accessibility, affordability
  • Accreditation: SACSCOC

Program summary

Columbus State University’s cybersecurity program scores very well on accessibility and affordability, while still offering solid academics. The school is CAE-CD designated (although it’s worth noting that status is currently set to expire in 2028), and the curriculum covers a good spread of key topics. There’s even an Applied Cryptography course as part of the core, a field that some schools tend to either offer as an elective or else leave to graduate-level study.

But the headline is certainly the $189 per credit hour tuition cost for online students. Applied over the 120 total credits, you can earn the full degree for less than $23,000, making CSU really hard to beat on price. It’s also one of the few schools that explicitly offers its cybersecurity program in all three major formats: online, campus, or a mixture of the two. However, be aware that you’ll only get online rates if you’re studying entirely online.

20

Maryville University

St. Louis, MO

Overview

  • Online Bachelor’s in Cybersecurity
  • Availability: Online or campus
  • Estimated tuition cost: $78,000
  • Best for: Offensive/defensive security tracks
  • Accreditation: HLC

Program summary

The Maryville University Bachelor’s in Cybersecurity is broken up into three tracks: offensive, defensive, and general. That means you can get a thorough grounding in the fundamentals or start to specialize in your desired area of cybersecurity. For example, students on the offensive track will study courses like Ethical Hacking, while the defensive track will explore areas like Digital Forensics. On the general track, you can mix and match.

With a 100% online option and a generous credit-transfer policy, Maryville scores well when it comes to accessibility. An early access program also allows students to earn up to 12 credits that count toward both the Bachelor’s program and a future Master’s degree. The total estimated cost for the Bachelor’s program is approximately $78,000, which is on the higher end for online programs. But across all programs, Maryville online graduates boast a career outcomes rate of 97% (work or continuing education). So you’ll have a good chance of getting a fast return on your investment.

21

Purdue University Global

West Lafayette, IN

Overview

  • Online Bachelor’s Degree in Cybersecurity
  • Availability: Online
  • Estimated tuition cost: $66,780
  • Best for: Curriculum customization
  • Accreditation: HLC

Program summary

Purdue University Global is a good all-around school when it comes to online cybersecurity Bachelor’s degrees: it’s reasonably affordable, highly flexible, and at a school held in high regard. It’s not the same institution as Purdue West Lafayette, although it’s been part of the same system since 2018, when Purdue University acquired and rebranded Kaplan University. And Purdue Global comes with its own reputation as a good school for working adults.

Where the program truly shines is how customizable it is: it is offered in 6 different concentrations. There’s a concentration specifically designed to prepare students for the CISSP certification, while other options include AI, game development, data management, and software development. As an added perk, you can try the program for 3 weeks with no financial commitment.

Accessibility and affordability are both boosted further by ExcelTrack, which charges a flat rate of $2,500 per term and lets you complete courses entirely at your own pace. However, this is only recommended for self-motivated students with at least 3 years of cybersecurity industry experience. Even if you don’t qualify for the accelerated program, you may be able to earn credit for prior learning; students who submit a portfolio earn 33 credits on average, saving nearly $11,000.

22

Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, AZ

Overview

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Cybersecurity
  • Availability: Online or campus
  • Estimated tuition cost: $58,800
  • Best for: Admissions
  • Accreditation: HLC

Program summary

Grand Canyon mixes attainable admissions with a hands-on program. It has a simple and relatively straightforward admissions policy: if you’re a high school graduate aged 16+ with a GPA of 2.8+, you can enroll in the program. A 2.5 GPA will also be accepted if accompanied by 19+ on ACT and a 1000+ SAT score. Once admitted, you’ll gain practical cybersecurity knowledge, as certified by Grand Canyon’s CAE-CD designation.

The program is fairly heavy on general education courses (34-40 units), but still covers all the cybersecurity essentials in a way that equips you with workplace skills. You’ll take classes like Penetration Testing Principles, Cyber Forensic Investigations, and Information Assurance. Meanwhile, some coursework is aligned with industry certifications, and you’ll get access to exam vouchers for widely-recognized certs like CompTIA Security+ and CySA+.

23

American Public University

Charles Town, WV

Overview

  • Online Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity (BS)
  • Availability: Online
  • Estimated tuition cost: $43,200
  • Best for: Accessibility, law enforcement pathways
  • Accreditation: HLC

Program summary

American Public University operates fully online, so its cybersecurity Bachelor’s program is well-designed for distance learners. There are start dates every month, you’ll have access to online careers coaching and mental health support, and you can join student-led virtual communities and clubs (e.g. Women in STEM). There are no entrance exams or application fees: you’ll only need a high school diploma or equivalent. Affordability is good, especially as textbooks are included in the cost of tuition.

The curriculum offers 5 different concentrations: General, Critical Infrastructure, Digital Forensics, Privacy and Surveillance, and Wireless and Mobile Security. So if you have a particular career path or sector in mind, you can begin to specialize. It’s a particularly good school for military/government/law enforcement roles, with core courses on topics like Biometrics, Cybercrime, and Cyber Warfare.

24

Bay Path University

Longmeadow, MA

Overview

  • Online BS in Cybersecurity: Digital Forensics and Incident Response
  • Availability: Online
  • Estimated tuition cost: $49,200
  • Best for: Accelerated schedule
  • Accreditation: NECHE

Program summary

Whereas lots of online cybersecurity programs offer 8-week courses, Bay Path uses accelerated 7-week courses. Lab-based virtual classrooms are asynchronous, so you can work through the content on your own time, potentially finishing in anywhere from 1-3.5 years depending on your pacing and any transfer credits you might have.

The actual curriculum is relatively standard, although 29 credits worth of general electives is quite high. You’ll also need to take humanities, science, and social science electives, somewhat restricting the overall amount of dedicated cybersecurity content. However, you’ll still take a lot of highly relevant courses, including Cybersecurity for Artificial Intelligence, and Mobile Technology Analysis. Coming in under $50,000, BPU is a good all-around option.

25

Fort Hays State University

Hays, KS

Overview

  • Bachelor of Science or Arts in Information Networking and Telecommunications (Cybersecurity)
  • Availability: Online or campus
  • Estimated tuition cost: $33,078
  • Best for: Affordability
  • Accreditation: HLC

Program summary

FHSU’s program is interesting in that it can be taken as a BS or a BA. In either case, the cybersecurity concentration provides a solid grounding in fundamentals: network security principles, ethical hacking techniques, digital forensics, and more. That being said, you’ll only take 36 credit hours of dedicated cyber courses, far lower than on a dedicated cybersecurity program.

However, you’ll be well-placed to enhance your cybersecurity credentials with extra certifications, because many of the courses are aligned with industry-standard certifications. For example, you can choose to complete a Microsoft certification at the end of the Windows Client Administration course.

Tuition is low, and in-state students wishing to study on campus pay even less (roughly $25,900). It’s a strong choice for students focused on keeping costs down while still earning a credible cybersecurity degree; Fort Hays holds CAE-CD status, although it is currently only valid through 2027.

How To Choose An Online Cybersecurity Bachelor’s Degree

Our rankings are a great starting point for choosing the right online program for you. But ultimately, only you know your unique individual circumstances.

The following isn’t an exhaustive list of factors, and our rankings rely on even more data points.

But with a potentially overwhelming amount of information out there, these metrics are very useful for cutting through any marketing speak and getting straight to the core fundamentals of what to keep in mind as you review your options and do your own research.

Course Material and Program Focus

Most online cybersecurity Bachelor’s degree programs share many of the same core courses. But you might be looking for something specific from your program.

For instance, the idea of taking a philosophy course might make Old Dominion especially appealing to you, or you might consider it a drawback.

The vast majority of online cybersecurity programs are Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees, but you may sometimes have the option of studying for a Bachelor of Arts (BA). For example, Fort Hays State allows you to choose between a BS and BA. The difference comes down to the specific courses: a BA will typically come with more language and humanities requirements, which will shape the kind of cybersecurity degree you acquire.

Ultimately, you should look for programs that offer courses in the things that interest you most and which best set you up for your chosen career path or specialty. If you want to heavily customize your Bachelor’s degree, look for programs with fewer core units and more electives.

It’s also worth being aware of the number of courses you will need to take. The vast majority of Bachelor’s programs require 120 credits, but there are a handful of outliers: the University of North Dakota, Penn State World Campus, Bellevue University, and Liberty University all require a few extra credits, for example.

Costs

Per a Programs.com analysis, the average cost of an online Bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity in the US is $64,728. The median cost is a little lower, at $58,247.

Costs vary significantly between different programs. For example, the online cybersecurity program at Western Governors University costs approximately $22,125, while the equivalent program at the University of North Dakota charges $76,751 in tuition. Cost per credit hour and/or estimated total tuition is generally easy to find with minimal research.

(If cost is a major factor for you, you may want to see our list of affordable cybersecurity degree programs).

It’s also worth being aware how tuition costs are calculated. For instance, WGU is an outlier in that it charges a flat fee per term, rather than a system based on credit hours. Per-term or per-semester tuition means you have the chance to make huge savings by taking on extreme course loads and finishing more quickly. Some students have even graduated WGU in 6 months, with the help of some transfer credit from an Associate’s degree.

And you should always check whether you qualify for any special in-state rates, even when looking at fully-online programs. At the University of Maryland Global Campus, there’s a disparity of more than $15,000 between residents and non-residents over the course of the full online degree.

Accreditations and Designations

First and foremost, it’s worth seeing if the institution you’re researching is a legitimate college/university. You’re looking for basic accreditation from a regional body, e.g., MSCHE (Middle States Commission on Higher Education) or HLC (Higher Learning Commission).

Next, you should review which “extra”, cybersecurity-specific accreditations/designations the college in question has earned. In particular, some institutions are designated as Centers of Academic Excellence (CAEs) by the National Security Agency (NSA) and Department of Homeland Security. There are three potential CAE designations:

Our research shows that 52.2% of online cybersecurity programs have at least one CAE designation. However, CAE-R (4.5%) and CAE-CO (3.7%) designation is far more unusual.

CAE designation comes with federal funding attached, so schools are incentivized to try and meet the criteria. Even so, multiple CAE status remains a strong indicator of quality in a cybersecurity program.

As well as CAE designation, you can look out for ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) accreditation, which assures quality within STEM programs. For instance, Ferris State and the University of Cincinnati are both ABET-accredited.

Graduate Outcomes

Graduate outcomes might take a little more research, but many schools will publish them somewhere. It’s often a case of searching for a general institution-wide graduate outcomes report (like this example from Champlain College), and then checking to see if it contains any program-specific data.

If you can find it, then it’s very useful data. You can often discover employment rates, further education, average salaries, and more. For example, Dakota State got a boost in our rankings for its 98.9% placement rate.