In this article you will find top-ranked online bachelor’s in cybersecurity degree programs that prepare students to help defend against growing cybersecurity threats from hackers, criminals, and hostile foreign governments.
Cybersecurity is definitely growing in demand. Information security jobs are expected to grow by 33% over the next 10 years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s much faster than average career growth. With current median salaries around $100,000 a year, it’s a good time to prepare yourself to compete in the field. That’s why we’ve ranked cybersecurity degrees as the best degree for jobs over the next decade.
Cybersecurity is also new and its need is very widespread. In our interview with world-leading cyber security expert Isaac Ben-Israel, Ben-Israel says Because we understand that nowadays everyone is dependent on computers, not only military organisations, defense organisations. And therefore, the citizen, the simple citizen, needs a protection as well as the big organisation. And we decided to make it legitimate for education and industry. ...At that time, 2011, it’s hard to believe but this is true, there was not even one university in the world, neither in Israel nor in the States, in which you could go and study cybersecurity. Only 10 years ago. It’s hard to believe but this was the situation 10 years ago. Today ... you can learn cyber security in almost every university.
Students who earn a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity can help defend against growing cybersecurity threats from hackers, criminals, and hostile foreign governments.
Back to TopBoth online and on-campus degree programs are available, and students will learn the fundamentals of the cyber domain, including cryptography, system security resiliency, cyber vulnerability, and RF communications.
Many programs offer specialized concentrations as well, such as cloud computing, data management, software programming, and analytics.
Back to TopTypically, a bachelor’s in cybersecurity requires a minimum of 120 credits, which takes about four to five years to complete. Some programs offer an accelerated path that permits students to work at their own pace, allowing them to potentially finish early.
Back to TopGraduates often find positions in the energy, healthcare, finance, and government industries as software developers, security administrators, information assurance engineers, and IT security consultants.
Back to TopLearn more about how to major in computer science.
We recently interviewed one of the world’s most influential cyber security experts, Dr. Isaac Ben-Israel. Dr. Ben-Israel says that cyber security is one of the most important fields of study today, and one of the newest. In 2011 cyber security programs in colleges and universities were scarce. Today, they are offered at colleges and universities around the world, and in some cases cyber security is making its way into core curriculum. Why? Dr. Ben-Israel’s answer is simple: As long as computers are the dominant technology of our time, this is the anticipation, the need for cyber security will only grow.
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
$12K
Acceptance
87%
Graduation
64%
Student body
40K
Median SAT/ACT
1220/25
The University of Arizona Bachelor of Applied Science in Cyber Operations prepares students for careers such as Cyber Incident Response Analyst, Cyber Threat Analyst, and Chief Information Security Officer. The University’s Cyber Operations Program is designated as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations by the National Security Agency. It is one of only 24 programs in the nation carrying this designation. The Bachelor of Applied Science offers three tracks in Cyber Engineering, Defense and Forensics, and Cyber Law & Policy. Students may earn undergraduate certificates in Cyber Operations, Cybersecurity, Cyber Defense, Digital Forensics, Security Computing, and Information Warfare. Students gain real world experience in CyberApolis, the program’s virtual world where students practice their cyber skills.
The Bachelor of Applied Science offers a scholarship program aimed at juniors and seniors, a Foreign Affairs IT Fellowship, which provides scholarship funding for two years, internships, and appointment in the Foreign Service at the end of the two-year program, and a Summer Internship Program. Students are admitted to classes every 8 weeks. Classes may last 7.5 weeks or 15 weeks. At the end of the course, all students will complete a Capstone course. The program is designed for students transferring in with approximately 60 hours and a 2.5 GPA. Depending on the concentration, students will need background courses in mathematics, programming, and government. Tuition is $500-$610 per credit hour.
Tuition + fees
$58K
Acceptance
59%
Graduation
82%
Student body
22K
The Syracuse University Bachelor of Professional Studies degree in Cybersecurity Administration prepares graduates for careers in Information Security, Networking Setup, Coding, Auditing, Healthcare, and Finance. The program provides the skills necessary to protect information, information systems, and infrastructure.
The B.P.S. differs from a traditional bachelor’s degree in that 75% of the skills learned are career specific. The program has six start dates a year. The classes run for 8 weeks. Students may transfer up to 90 credits and study part time. The format is 100% online, with both synchronous and asynchronous classes. The program consists of 120 credits, including 33 hours of required core courses for the major. Tuition costs are approximately $695 per credit hour. The degree is designed with working professionals in mind.
Tuition + fees
$13K
Acceptance
62%
Graduation
78%
Student body
33K
Median SAT/ACT
1240/28
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
65%
Graduation
38%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
1160/22
Tuition + fees
$40K
Acceptance
91%
Graduation
70%
Student body
4K
The Roger Williams University BS in Cybersecurity & Networking prepares graduates for careers in fields such as computer network architect, information security analyst, network administrator, and computer network support specialist. Students are given a background in technology security and networking skills the first three years and then develop a focus area (major). Class topics include Law for Networking, Security, and Forensic Professionals, Mobile Device Forensics, and Database Design and Implementation.
The BS in Cybersecurity & Networking Degree requires some experience with software and hardware. Applicants do not have to take an entrance exam or provide ACT/SAT scores. There is no application fee or GPA requirement. Students may apply transfer credits, trainings, military and work experience, and self-taught skills toward their degree.
This degree requires 120 credits for completion. A three-credit online course costs $1,299. There are corporate and military discounts available.
Tuition + fees
$49K
Acceptance
70%
Graduation
80%
Student body
10K
Median SAT/ACT
1265/28
Saint Louis University’s accelerated bachelor’s to master’s program in cybersecurity allows students to take up to 12 graduate credits which apply both to the undergraduate and graduate degree. This degree is designed for working professionals who may be pursuing an undergraduate degree in any of the School of Professional Studies programs. Graduates may pursue careers such as computer and information systems manager, computer systems analyst, data security consultant, government cybersecurity analyst, information security analyst, and network and computer systems administrator.
This program has 6 start dates a year with terms lasting 8 weeks. Students must have a 3.0 overall GPA, with a 3.5 in their current major. The total cost for the MS in Cybersecurity is app. $32,000.
Tuition + fees
$16K
Acceptance
85%
Graduation
48%
Student body
13K
Median SAT/ACT
1090/22
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
96%
Graduation
49%
Student body
19K
Median SAT/ACT
1065/21
Old Dominion University’s BS in Cybersecurity degree is offered both as a degree completion and as a full program. This program is interdisciplinary, giving students the option of taking courses from computer engineering, computer science, criminal justice, engineering management, information technology, modeling and simulation engineering, and philosophy. The National Security Agency has designed Old Dominion as a National Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations Fundamental.
The curriculum includes calculus, physics, computer engineering, and computer science courses. Good math skills are required. You must complete at least 30 hours with ODU. The degree requires a total of 120 hours. Classes may be synchronous or asynchronous, and the courses may include lecture, computer lab sessions, and research projects.
Tuition for Virginia residents is $374 per credit hour, and out of state residents pay $407 per credit hour. Active-duty military students may qualify for a discount. Graduates will be qualified for careers such as computer systems analyst, information security analyst, database administrator, computer network architect, digital forensics analyst, and web administrator.
Tuition + fees
$3K
Graduation
36%
Student body
17K
St. Petersburg College’s Bachelor of Applied Science in Cybersecurity prepares graduates for jobs that align with the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education Cybersecurity Workforce Framework. These jobs include systems security analyst, security control assessor, vulnerability assessment analyst, cyber defense analyst, and security architect. The National Security Agency has designed SPC a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense. The degree focuses on the technical aspects of cybersecurity such as information security, advanced forensics, and defense against cyber-attack.
A grade of “C” or better is required in all courses, and there is a foreign language requirement. 120 credits are required for the completion of the degree, with 18 of these credits being state mandated prerequisites, and 45 being major core courses. Tuition for in-state students is approximately $112 per credit hour. For out of state students, the tuition per credit hour is approximately $387.
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
57%
Graduation
58%
Student body
8K
Median SAT/ACT
1172/24
The University of Missouri’s BS in Cybersecurity with an emphasis in Information Systems and Technology is a 123 credit program, with 24 hours of core courses and 81 hours of emphasis specific coursework. Students gain both technical and business skills, and graduates pursue careers such as cloud security specialists, cyber defense analysts, information security analyst, malware analyst, and security architect. The NSA has designated UMSL as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education.
The BS in Cybersecurity with a Computer Science emphasis provides a technical and mathematical focus. Core courses focus on topics such as business and technical writing, introduction to computing, programming and data structures, secure software development, security risk management, computer forensics, and introduction to cryptography. Graduates will be prepared to pursue careers in fields such as cyber defense incident responder, cybersecurity engineer, and vulnerability assessment analyst. The degree requires 24 hours of core coursework, and 51-53 hours of emphasis specific coursework.
There is no foreign language requirement for either area of emphasis. Missouri and Illinois residents pay $396 per credit hour. Non-residents pay $1.070 per credit hour.
Tuition + fees
$13K
Acceptance
55%
Graduation
47%
Student body
25K
Tuition + fees
$32K
Acceptance
77%
Graduation
56%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
975/19
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
89%
Graduation
62%
Student body
19K
Median SAT/ACT
1209/26
Tuition + fees
$8K
Acceptance
83%
Graduation
54%
Student body
18K
Median SAT/ACT
1120/23
Tuition + fees
$33K
Acceptance
78%
Graduation
56%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1074/23
Tuition + fees
$21K
Acceptance
86%
Graduation
50%
Student body
8K
Median SAT/ACT
1020/22
Tuition + fees
$31K
Acceptance
82%
Graduation
39%
Student body
1K
Tuition + fees
$15K
Acceptance
92%
Graduation
39%
Student body
102K
Tuition + fees
$39K
Acceptance
70%
Graduation
60%
Student body
5K
Median SAT/ACT
1115/24
Tuition + fees
$38K
Acceptance
91%
Graduation
59%
Student body
3K
Tuition + fees
$23K
Acceptance
99%
Graduation
62%
Student body
79K
Median SAT/ACT
1145/25
Tuition + fees
$24K
Acceptance
89%
Graduation
60%
Student body
4K
Tuition + fees
$22K
Acceptance
96%
Graduation
67%
Student body
29K
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
85%
Graduation
48%
Student body
16K
Median SAT/ACT
1035/21
Tuition + fees
$36K
Acceptance
82%
Graduation
59%
Student body
1K
If this is your first time taking an online course, the experience may require a time of adjustment. Although you’ll typically learn the same material and take the same exams as your on-campus peers, going online will require greater independence and responsibility than going in person. You’ll be accountable for your own time management, for harnessing the online educational technology that you’ll need to use, and for completing the course requirements, such as listening to lectures, learning lessons, reading texts, and handing in assignments. This means you’ll need to create a suitable workspace for yourself, maintain a realistic schedule, and take the initiative in building relationships with your instructors and classmates. With online college, your goal is to find a balance between independence and engagement.
No. The only part of online education that’s easier than campus-based education is ease of access: all you need is a computer and an internet connection for online education. But even this seeming advantage of online education can be misleading: what’s easier, studying online with your computer and internet connection from your home where you need to cook, clean, pay rent, and maintain a job? Or studying on campus in a dorm where all your living needs are handled by the school, and college staff are there to help you every step of the way?
If you take the commute to campus out of the equation, campus-based education is easier. All the support structures available on campus for students, especially with real people to help you in person, are not there online. The demands on you as an online student will largely be the same as for your campus-based counterpart, but without the same helps.
In general, your online courses will present the same material and test you in the same way as traditional in-person courses. In many cases, you’ll even have the same instructors as your on-campus counterparts. In fact, if you are adjusting to the experience of independent learning with remote educational technology for the first time, online college may be considerably more challenging than campus-based college. For a few insights on how to manage this new online experience, check out our 10 Tips for Adjusting to School Online.
Accreditation is especially important when it comes to online college. This is because the online education landscape is a mix of highly-reputable non-profit institutions on the one end and less-than-reputable for-profit institutions on the other end. Accreditation gives you the power to identify the more reputable actors in online education. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency indicating that a college or university is meeting standards of quality and credibility. School-wide accreditation falls into two major categories: regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditors generally hold jurisdiction only over schools in the states comprising their region, whereas national accreditors hold jurisdiction over schools in all states. Regional accreditation is widely regarded as a more rigorous standard of quality and credibility than national accreditation.
Attending a college or university that is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. For students seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that they opt for regionally accredited schools. Regional accreditation ensures eligibility for federal loans and grants, ensures your college credits can be transferred between schools, and ensures that your degree credits can be accepted if you wish to earn an advanced degree. For more on this important topic, check out our What is Accreditation and Why Does It Matter? College & University Accreditation Guide.
As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited (see the previous point), you should have little difficulty transferring most of your credits or credentials to another regionally accredited undergraduate school. Every school carries its own standards and procedures for granting a transfer of credits. In many cases, you will encounter some bureaucratic haggling in which some of your credits will be transferred and others may be refused. However, provided that you have attended an online school with recognized regional accreditation, you should be in good shape in transferring your credits earned online.
In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript, or resumé differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.
Some employers may express the concern that because you did your degree online, you may need to transition from an online education experience to in-person workplace experience. But in an age of Covid, that concern seems much diminished. The fact is that much employment these days is remote. And collaboration increasingly happens online over Zoom. Many employers will therefore view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.
If you are a student who thrives on the dynamic energy of in-person discussion, who requires the physical surroundings of a classroom to feel engaged, or who considers the social aspects of education to be of equal importance to the actual content of your courses, online education will be less than ideal for you (though depending on your circumstances, it may also be the only viable option).
While there is much in traditional campus-based education that can be substituted or simulated through the online medium, some students may find that there is nothing that can replace the conversation, collaboration, and motivation that occur in an actual in-person classroom setting. As you transition to online education, one of the biggest challenges you will likely face in getting the most out of your online classes is overcoming this difference between “real reality” and “virtual reality.” Fortunately, we’ve got some great Tips for Online Education Beginners.
The advantages of online classes are many. Above all, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities-educational experiences that you can complete at your own pace and on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.
Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.