Best Online Cybersecurity Degree Programs of 2024
BestColleges.com is committed to delivering content that is objective and actionable. To that end, we have built a network of industry professionals across higher education to review our content and ensure we are providing the most helpful information to our readers.
Drawing on their firsthand industry expertise, our Integrity Network members serve as an additional step in our editing process, helping us confirm our content is accurate and up to date. These contributors:
- Suggest changes to inaccurate or misleading information.
- Provide specific, corrective feedback.
- Identify critical information that writers may have missed.
Integrity Network members typically work full time in their industry profession and review content for BestColleges.com as a side project. All Integrity Network members are paid members of the Red Ventures Education Integrity Network.
2024Cybersecurity experts are on the front lines of national, corporate, and personal defense, helping prevent cybercriminals and other malicious actors from committing fraud, theft, or acts of terror.
This fast-growing field urgently needs qualified administrators, analysts, engineers, and executives to help meet a severe employment shortage.
Earning an online cybersecurity degree is the first step toward becoming an information security professional. Many schools offer an accelerated cybersecurity degree online that lets you maximize your transfer credits and life experience to graduate early and get started in an exciting professional role.
Featured Cyber Security Degrees Online
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Online Cyber Security Schools
Charter Oak State College
New Britain, CT- 4 year
- Online
- In-State$7,656
- Out-of-state$10,056
- In-State$9,288
- Out-of-state$9,720
- Retention Rate67%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled1,618
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online EnrollmentN/A
- AccreditationYes
University of St Thomas
- Houston, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$30,800
- Out-of-state$30,800
- In-State$20,934
- Out-of-state$20,934
- Retention Rate73%
- Acceptance Rate98%
- Students Enrolled3,877
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment72%
- AccreditationYes
Champlain College
- Burlington, VT
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$42,564
- Out-of-state$42,564
- In-State$14,310
- Out-of-state$14,310
- Retention Rate69%
- Acceptance Rate62%
- Students Enrolled3,825
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment54%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$24,435
- Out-of-state$24,435
- In-State$17,955
- Out-of-state$17,955
- Retention Rate62%
- Acceptance Rate93%
- Students Enrolled784
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment11%
- AccreditationYes
How We Rank Schools
To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.
What Can I Expect From an Online Cybersecurity Degree Program?
Cybersecurity online degree programs typically attract students who are analytical, are detail-oriented, and enjoy problem-solving. The ability to work independently as well as on a team is an important skill for cybersecurity students.
The majority of full-time online bachelor’s in cybersecurity programs consist of 120 credits and take four years to complete. In addition to general education and core coursework requirements, some schools also offer concentrations to help students build nuanced skills in specific areas.
Concentrations vary from program to program, but common options include:
- Cloud-based security
- Computer forensics
- Software security
- Mobile app technology
- Ethical hacking
- Information warfare and security management
Some online bachelor’s programs also require you to participate in a semester-long internship, as this allows you to build real-world skills and start networking with other professionals prior to graduating.
How Much Does an Online Bachelor’s in Cybersecurity Cost?
The average undergraduate major in computer and information science costs $11,674.80 in annual tuition, according to the NCES
. Earning your degree entirely online reduced the average cost to $7,717.40 per year.
Fortunately, most students do not pay the sticker price for their degrees. Pell grants, work-study programs, and state-supported merit scholarships can all reduce overall costs.
Organizations, companies, schools, and even the federal government also offer cybersecurity scholarships. For example, the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies provides undergraduate students with a $27,000 annual scholarship, and the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) offers several scholarships to employees and non-employees majoring in cybersecurity.
Featured Cybersecurity Online Degree Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
What Can I Do With a Bachelor’s in Cybersecurity?
Cybersecurity is one of the fastest-growing professional fields in the world. Fortune Business Insight projects that the global cybersecurity market will expand from $172.32 billion in 2023 to $424.97 billion in 2030. Observers attribute this expansion to the sharp increase in cybersecurity attacks and the development of AI and ML tools.
As a result, jobs in the field continue to outpace qualified applicants. ISC2’s Cyber Workforce Study puts the workforce shortage at 4 million. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that information security analyst jobs will grow by 33% between 2023 and 2033. A bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity can set you up for a career in this rapidly expanding industry.
| Job Title | Job Duties | Median Annual Salary (May 2023) | Job Growth (2023-2033) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Information security analyst |
| $120,360 | +33% |
| Computer and information systems manager |
| $169,510 | 17% |
| Database administrator |
| $101,510 | +9% |
| Network and computer systems administrator |
| $95,360 | -9% |
| Ethical hacker |
| $90,641* | not available |
*Average salary as of April 2024
Continuing Education for Cybersecurity
After completing an online bachelor’s in cybersecurity and working in the field for some time, you may decide you want to return to school and earn an advanced degree. Several universities now offer in-person and online master’s in cybersecurity degrees focused on building deeper knowledge and skills.
Completing a master’s in cybersecurity can help you build the qualifications to take on more senior leadership roles that typically pay higher wages and allow for more responsibilities. Most master’s programs take about two years to complete, and many schools now make them available online.
Still Looking for the Right Fit? Discover Similar Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Cybersecurity Degrees Online
As of April 2024, Payscale reports that the average salary for a bachelor’s in cybersecurity is $77,000. Earning your degree online can help you save time and money as you work toward securing your place in a cybersecurity profession.
Explore More College Resources
Hack on! Top 10 Cybersecurity Competitions for Students
Cybersecurity competitions are a popular way to hone hacking skills, earn prize money, and prove yourself to employers. Here are our top 10 picks.
Updated April 21, 2023
The 7 Most In-Demand Jobs of the Decade
Job security remains a key goal for many U.S. workers. By pursuing one of the most in-demand jobs, you can enjoy years of steady employment.
Updated March 21, 2023
Is Computer Science a Good Major?
Is computer science a good major? Yes, if students account for a changing employment landscape. This degree guide provides insights to help student decisions.
Updated October 15, 2024