We rank the most affordable bachelor’s degrees in cybersecurity. These degree programs give graduates the opportunity to earn an in-demand degree...and do it affordably.
The internet has made life simpler and more difficult at the same time. This era has exposed private information to exploitation threats, thanks to viruses, data breaches, and security scandals that bring inconvenience and potentially irreversible harm to regular people’s lives. Because the information in computer databases is not entirely safe, private and governmental entities are even more at risk.
Minimizing the cyberthreats and their impact is possible with the proper education and training. The study of cyber security in an online learning platform at the undergraduate level focuses on curbing attacks through methods that blend sophisticated computer forensics, and modern information systems security methods.
In an effort to advance cyber law and cybersecurity efforts in the US, the National Security Agency partners with the academia, among other industry, organizations, and groups.
Certain schools offering on-campus and online cybersecurity degree programs are given the NCAE-C or National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity designation based on certain criteria. These colleges and universities are expected to produce the most competent cyber security professionals.
When looking for cheap online cyber security programs at the bachelor degree level, consider the many factors affecting overall cost. Let’s break them down into easy-to-digest financial factors:
Each cybersecurity undergraduate online course may require the use of technology and virtual platforms, as well as laboratory and equipment, which students also pay for.
Most cybersecurity online programs’ tuition rates are on charged per credit hour or course, as opposed to a per term basis. Some online programs also offer tiered tuition, wherein students who take many classes at once are charged less per credit.
Credit transfer can be complicated, but just like in most online undergraduate programs, cybersecurity online degrees allow students to transfer credits and save them time and money.
According to education data, in-state students in public schools pay an average of $102,828 for a four-year education, while out of state students pay an average of $173,684. On the other hand, private institution students can spend up to $218,004 within the same length of time.
Eligible students can further lower the cost of their education by applying for financial help, including federal and state scholarships and private awards.
The online schools on our list are guaranteed to offer the most affordable online bachelor of cybersecurity degree programs, with a per credit hour tuition of no more than $900.
Back to TopThe cost of an online bachelor’s of cybersecurity degree depends on several factors, such as per credit hour tuition, institution type, and residency status.
According to education data, in-state students in public schools pay an average of $102,828 over 4 years, while out-of-state pay an average of $173,684 over 4 years. On the other hand, private school students can spend up to $218,004 over 4 years.
Online learning is here to stay, so the schools on our list are guaranteed to be the most affordable online degree programs in cyber security, with a per credit hour tuition of no more than $900.
Online students can further lower the cost of their education by applying for financial help, including federal and state scholarships and private awards.
The following graph depicts the average salaries of similar occupations to Information Security Analysts in the U.S.
Source: U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
69%
Graduation
83%
Student body
44K
Median SAT/ACT
1295/29
Purdue University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Purdue University Global, the online extension of Purdue University, is a remote learning platform created as a practical means to offer top-notch online courses and degrees. Purdue Global offers affordable online degrees that equip students with skills and knowledge to improve their chosen careers.
One of Purdue Global’s affordable online degrees is the Bachelor of Science in Cyber Security, which only costs $371 per credit hour. This program offers six concentration options, including CISSP certification preparation and supply chain management and logistics. Students learn to identify vulnerabilities, create security protocols, and create remedies.
The diversity of Purdue University is one of the top things people love about this school. According to some, Purdue’s culture is created by its students.
Purdue University is great for students who:
Have a strong work ethic, and seek an affordable, high-quality program.
Purdue University might not be the best fit for students who:
Prefer to study in small class sizes.
Pennsylvania State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
The NSA, DHS, and U.S. News & World Report recognized Pennsylvania State University’s extensive online degree program. The university is committed to offering its students degrees in risk analysis, enabling them to apply cutting-edge technologies and methods to counter cybersecurity risks.
PennState online’s Bachelor of Science in Cyber Security Analytics and Operations only costs $620 per credit hour. Students who complete this online cyber security degree will have the abilities necessary to work as skilled cybersecurity professionals who can identify, evaluate, manage, and eliminate risks associated with various cyber threats.
The preparation and alumni network Penn State offers are unparalleled.
Pennsylvania State University is great for students who:
Enjoy feeling pride in their school and want to in a close-knit community.
Pennsylvania State University might not be the best fit for students who:
Lack the motivation to put in the necessary effort, learn new things, or participate in cooperative activities.
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
87%
Graduation
64%
Student body
40K
Median SAT/ACT
1220/25
University of Arizona’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
The University of Arizona is ranked among the top universities in the nation by U.S. News & World Report with flat-rate tuition fees. Additionally, the University of Arizona is among the top 1% of all institutions of higher learning.
The Bachelor of Applied Science Cyber Operations specialty at the U of A offers students a hands-on learning opportunity to develop the skills required for success in the business sector, the legal profession, and cyber security defense. This affordable online cyber security degree is intended for individuals with low incomes who already have 60 or more credits from another regionally accredited institution.
Scholarship options, clubs, internship and research opportunities, location, and overall cost make U of A a great school. The variety of clubs helps students build relationships with people they might not have encountered.
The University of Arizona is great for students who:
Are motivated to pursue higher education and thrive in large classes with as many as 500 students.
The University of Arizona might not be the best fit for students who:
Dislike huge crowds of people, nonstop activity, and hot temperatures.
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
88%
Graduation
66%
Student body
73K
Median SAT/ACT
1210/24
Arizona State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Students who choose to enroll at Arizona State University will have many opportunities to undertake research throughout their undergraduate career. Graduates will be equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to achieve their goals thanks to high-caliber academics, enrichment programs, and assistance from friends and instructors.
ASU offers an affordable online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Science with a Cyber Security concentration. This concentration helps students enhance their knowledge in the applied computing BS degree while focusing on cyber security courses that equip them with the technical skills necessary to secure networks and applications and the fundamentals of cyber security governance and risk management.
The community that supports a student’s exploration of their interests and development of new abilities.
Arizona State University is great for students who:
Want to focus on their studies, thrive in challenging classes, and get ready for a career after college but also enjoy the social experience of a diverse community.
Arizona State University might not be the best fit for students who:
Don’t want to attend a major party school.
Tuition + fees
$49K
Acceptance
70%
Graduation
80%
Student body
10K
Median SAT/ACT
1265/28
Saint Louis University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Saint Louis University is one of the United States’ oldest and most esteemed Catholic universities. It is renowned for its top-notch academics, groundbreaking research, compassionate medical treatment, and unwavering devotion to faith and service.
SLU offers an affordable accelerated online Bachelor’s to MS in Cyber Security degree program, which only costs $650 per credit hour. This accelerated online cyber security degree program helps professionals pursuing a bachelor’s degree in the School of Professional Studies pursue an MS in Cybersecurity after completing their undergraduate program. Students learn about applications for developing, installing, and upgrading enterprise-level infrastructure following the best cybersecurity principles.
The stunning campus and community. Students appreciate their Jesuit education and are aware of how well-educated SLU students are.
Saint Louis University is great for students who:
Want to integrate technical knowledge with Catholic learning.
Saint Louis University might not be the best fit for students who:
Are attending college to “have fun.” Saint Louis is not a party school.
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
96%
Graduation
57%
Student body
10K
University of Maine’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
UMaine is one of the top colleges in New England. It provides students with top-notch teachers and facilities, internationally acclaimed research, a welcoming, secure environment, and proximity to some of the best year-round leisure areas in the country.
UMaine offers one of the most affordable online cyber security degrees. With a focus on safeguarding technical infrastructures to maintain cybersecurity and IA, this BS in Cyber Security degree trains people who can drive technological advancements in the industry both locally and nationally.
The vibrant and motivating campus atmosphere.
The University of Maine is great for students who:
Are enthusiastic about being active outside and promoting a green campus.
The University of Maine might not be the best fit for students who:
Want to live in very urban areas.
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
96%
Graduation
49%
Student body
19K
Median SAT/ACT
1065/21
Old Dominion University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Old Dominion University has a research, sea-grant, space-grant, and urban campus that covers more than 250 acres in Norfolk. More than 25,000 students can enroll in one of approximately 170 undergraduate and graduate programs. The institution also contributes close to $2 billion to the Norfolk metropolitan area. Old Dominion University has provided distance learning courses for the past thirty years.
The Department of Interdisciplinary Studies at Old Dominion University offers an affordable online BS in Cyber Security degree program with in-state and out-of-state tuition fees of $374 and $1,039 per credit hour. Graduates will have the knowledge and abilities to defend computer systems, networks, and online data from attack and compromise.
The university’s commitment to research.
Old Dominion University is great for students who:
Seek engagement with other cultural and ethnic groupings.
Old Dominion University might not be the best fit for students who:
Are not accustomed to large crowds, do not do well with change, or do not attend a school with big class sizes.
Tuition + fees
$23K
Acceptance
99%
Graduation
62%
Student body
79K
Median SAT/ACT
1145/25
Liberty University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Liberty University ranks among the largest and most reasonably priced private institutions of higher learning associated with the Christian Church. Liberty has provided a distinctive and tried-and-true method of online learning for students with different academic and professional goals.
Liberty University offers one of the best and most affordable online cybersecurity degrees. The BS in Computer Science Cyber Security only costs $390 per credit hour. Students will have a fundamental understanding of information systems, computer science, and programming and be prepared to work in information sciences.
The affordability. Liberty’s online tuition fees are in the bottom third compared to the top online competitors.
Liberty University is great for students who:
Want to attend a reasonably priced institution that offers opportunities for enjoyment while keeping many distractions (parties, etc.) at bay.
Liberty University might not be the ideal for students who:
Do not like the structure of a Christian school.
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
94%
Graduation
41%
Student body
9K
Indiana State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Indiana State University has been operating since 1865 to provide students the opportunity to receive a top-notch education at an affordable cost. IndiState provides students with more than 100 majors, 70+ online programs, and many options (undergraduate and graduate).
Indiana State University offers an affordable online Bachelor of Science in Cybercriminology and Security Studies that gives students a solid foundational understanding of a rapidly expanding subset of crime in the twenty-first century. Students can choose to concentrate on either physical security or cybercrime.
The program’s objective degree in Cybercriminology and Security Studies is to provide a thorough understanding of corporate, homeland security, government, and cyber security theories and practices and to equip them to work as supervisors in the security, law enforcement, and business sectors.
Indiana State University promises entering, first-time, full-time students that they will graduate in four years and have a world-class educational experience, not just a commitment to affordability.
Indiana State University is great for students who:
Want diversity in the classroom.
Indiana State University might not be the best fit for students who:
Dislike living in small towns or the concept of close-knit learning environments.
Tuition + fees
$15K
Acceptance
92%
Graduation
39%
Student body
102K
Southern New Hampshire University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Southern New Hampshire University, a non-profit private university, offers top-notch, cutting-edge pathways to suit the requirements of all students. SNHU is dedicated to assisting students in seeing their success, whether they take programs online or on campus.
Students who desire to enhance their careers in the field of digital technology have access to a computer science curriculum through Southern New Hampshire University’s online Bachelor of Cyber Security program. The program costs $320 per credit hour and is among the most affordable online cybersecurity programs. Students enrolled in this SNHU program gain knowledge of cybersecurity threats, and make educated judgments to address them.
The credit transfer option at SNHU is among the most generous in the United States. Students transfer a maximum of 90 credit hours, allowing them to complete undergraduate degrees in two years.
Southern New Hampshire University is great for students who:
Thrive in small class sizes and want to participate in daily discussions.
Southern New Hampshire University might not be the best fit for students who:
Want a large school. Even though it is expanding, SNHU’s campus is still small.
Tuition + fees
$40K
Acceptance
81%
Graduation
62%
Student body
5K
Median SAT/ACT
1110/24
Regis University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Regis University has been the only Jesuit institution in the Rocky Mountain West since 1877. While the university delves deeply into morals, considers deed ramifications, and reaches out to marginalized people, it also uses a liberal arts curriculum that offers students the chance to investigate how they should live.
Regis University offers a $572 per credit hour online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Cyber Security degree program. It is a thorough, multi-disciplined program that gives students a clearly defined pathway to employment in the cyber security field, non-profit organizations, and government agencies.
While they teach students basic business practices, communication, and analytical skills, Regis also instills in each student state-of-the-art cybersecurity technical and network infrastructure knowledge.
The numerous options for academic internships, cross-cultural study abroad opportunities, and service learning that encourage students to continue their education immediately after high school.
Regis University is great for students who:
Are conservative and seek a liberal arts education with a small campus community and intimate class sizes.
Regis University might not be the best fit for students who:
Are unwilling to be stretched to the limit. This university and its instructors work hard to provide the best possible education and knowledge acquisition.
Tuition + fees
$19K
Acceptance
41%
Graduation
62%
Student body
7K
Median SAT/ACT
1080/25
Regent University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Regent University, founded in 1977, offers over 70 different programs that lead to associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. With its Christian-based learning environment, faculty members and students care about each other’s accomplishments. Students should expect full academic support from the school’s faculty and staff.
Regent’s online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Cyber Security equips students with the skills to launch or advance their network security and technology careers. Students use a cutting-edge, multimillion-dollar cyber range facility that simulates and trains them for real-world scenarios, enabling them to apply their skills to work in the cyber security sector.
The campus engagement.
Regent University is great for students who:
Who seek and value a Christian education.
Regent University may not be the best fit for students who:
Lack motivation and want to attend a party school.
Tuition + fees
$6K
Acceptance
82%
Graduation
49%
Student body
36K
Median SAT/ACT
1115/22
Kennesaw State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Kennesaw State University, established in 1963, is part of the University System of Georgia and known for its research activities. Business, education, engineering, nursing, physical sciences, criminal justice, and sports management are all covered in its programming.
Kennesaw State University offers the cheapest online eMajor BS in Cyber Security program that gives students cyber security professional skills to address the issues and demands of organizations’ cyber security needs. The program only costs $184.50 per credit hour. It is designed for individuals who desire to earn their degree on a flexible schedule.
The school’s genuinely varied campus culture and strong linkages to the rest of the world and the spirit of entrepreneurship.
Kennesaw State University is great for students who:
Thrive in large campus settings.
Kennesaw State University might not be the best fit for students who:
Want to experience dorm life.
Tuition + fees
$18K
Acceptance
83%
Graduation
45%
Student body
94K
Grand Canyon University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Grand Canyon University, a prestigious Christian university, is committed to enriching a student’s life through affordable and accessible on-campus and online degree programs. Despite being a Christian institution, GCU accepts students from all backgrounds and creeds.
The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Cybersecurity program at Grand Canyon University was created strictly with industry requirements. The program costs $485 per credit and can be completed 100% online. This program prepares students to work in the commercial sector, government, financial services, and defense industries. This degree is technical in that it supplements theoretical knowledge with practical experience in problems encountered in daily life.
The warm and welcoming student body and faculty.
Grand Canyon University is great for students who:
Prefer smaller class sizes and a wide range of campus activities.
Grand Canyon University might not be the best fit for students who:
Are sensitive to religion—or lack thereof.
Tuition + fees
$26K
Acceptance
71%
Graduation
46%
Student body
9K
Saint Leo University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Saint Leo University, a Catholic liberal arts academic institution, is well known for its online courses. With the support of Saint Leo’s faculty and staff members, students can customize their degrees according to their schedules and forge their own routes to success.
The online Bachelor’s Degree in Cybersecurity at Saint Leo University costs $920 per credit hour and is among the cheapest online degrees from a private university. This program helps students gain a foundation in cyber security, penetration testing, network controls that offer protection, and supervising the implementation of security devices.
The vast financial aid options. The majority of students studying at Saint Leo University receive financial support from the school and its donors.
Saint Leo University is great for students who:
Prefer a small campus setting that encourages interaction between students and faculty.
Saint Leo University might not be the best fit for students who:
Are not prepared to learn at a fast speed.
Tuition + fees
$21K
Acceptance
86%
Graduation
50%
Student body
8K
Median SAT/ACT
1020/22
Mercy College ’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Mercy College, founded in 1950 as a Catholic institution, offers liberal arts and professional programs in individualized, high-quality learning environments. It helps students transform their lives through higher education and helps them start rewarding careers, continue learning throughout their lives, and act ethically and responsibly in a changing world.
The BS in Cybersecurity program costs $862 per credit hour for students studying part-time and will cost less for those who enroll full-time. Students investigate, test, and put into practice security software approaches to safeguard and provide businesses and organizations with disaster recovery support.
The affordability, online excellence, and the caliber of its academic and student programs.
Mercy College is great for students who:
Are working full-time and want to earn a degree without leaving their current jobs.
Mercy College might not be the best fit for students who:
Are less interested in pursuing a profession and are more of a party animal.
Tuition + fees
$10K
Graduation
25%
Student body
5K
Franklin University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Founded in 1902, Franklin University is a private institution of higher learning that strongly emphasizes hiring outstanding faculty members. Franklin’s approach to education is aimed at maintaining academic standards, ensuring all students have access to educational opportunities, adjusting to students’ needs, and keeping up with changes in society, professions, and the business world.
Franklin University’s affordable online BS in Cybersecurity, costing only $398 per credit hour, teaches students how to respond to security breaches while utilizing cutting-edge technologies. Students learn technology fundamentals and will be trained to work as information security professionals in the public or commercial sector.
The diversity. Franklin exposes their students to a variety of cultures and academic fields as a way to help them establish new professional pathways.
Franklin University is great for students who:
Are busy with their current careers and do not have the means to pursue traditional on-campus degrees.
Franklin University might not be the best fit for students who:
Do not want to enroll in liberal arts courses.
Tuition + fees
$33K
Acceptance
94%
Graduation
65%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
1135/26
Robert Morris University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
RMU provides academic quality with an emphasis on the workplace. RMU offers a range of degrees, majors, and certificates with distinguished academic instructors. RMU uses modern facilities to improve their students’ education further, and connections to the local community provide them an advantage once they graduate.
Robert Morris University’s affordable online BS in Cybersecurity, costing only $825 per credit hour, trains students to find employment in government agencies and for-profit businesses that use technology to lessen vulnerabilities.
Students studying cyber security will create tools to identify, stop, and deal with network breaches. It is an interdisciplinary online cybersecurity degree program that combines business, law, technology, and organizational behavior.
The combination of a big research university and a small campus feel.
Robert Morris University is great for students who:
Want a quiet, student-focused institution where they can concentrate on their studies.
Robert Morris University might not be the best fit for students who:
Prefer to party on the weekend.