Best Online Bachelor’s in Cybersecurity

By Dr. Winston Ewert and Dr. James Barham

Published: Jun 23, 2021
Updated: Feb 29, 2024

Key Takeaways

Cyber security and information security jobs are expected to grow by 33% over the next 10 years, which is a much faster than average career growth.
In an online cyber security bachelor’s program, students learn the fundamentals of the cyber domain, including cryptography, system security resiliency, cyber vulnerability, and RF communications.
Many online cyber security programs offer specialized concentrations, such as cloud computing, data management, software programming, and analytics.

Top 10 Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity Degrees

University of Arizona
Syracuse University
University of South Carolina
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Roger Williams University
Saint Louis University
Eastern Michigan University
Old Dominion University
St. Petersburg College
University of Missouri–St. Louis

University of Arizona
Syracuse University
University of South Carolina
Saint Louis University
University of Alabama at Birmingham
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Old Dominion University
Liberty University
Eastern Michigan University
Boise State University

Liberty University 99%
Keiser University 97%
Southern New Hampshire University 96%
Old Dominion University 95%
Roger Williams University 91%
University of Arizona 87%
University of Alabama at Birmingham 87%
Mercy College 86%
Saint Louis University 85%
Stevenson University 84%

St. Petersburg College 22 to 1
Southern New Hampshire University 22 to 1
Boise State University 20 to 1
University of South Carolina 18 to 1
Liberty University 18 to 1
University of Alabama at Birmingham 18 to 1
University of the Cumberlands 18 to 1
McKendree University 17 to 1
University of Arizona 17 to 1
Old Dominion University 16 to 1

Syracuse University $60,135
Saint Louis University $50,644
Roger Williams University $40,962
Abilene Christian University $40,500
Stevenson University $38,738
Albertus Magnus College $37,682
McKendree University $33,430
Holy Family University $32,558
Notre Dame College $31,950
Utica University $24,308

Syracuse University $43,428
Keiser University $30,032
Utica University $26,158
Abilene Christian University $24,174
Saint Louis University $22,500
Albertus Magnus College $22,176
Southern New Hampshire University $18,900
Roger Williams University $18,565
Mercy College $17,478
Eastern Michigan University $16,857

Albertus Magnus College
University of the Cumberlands
Keiser University
Utica University
Liberty University
Stevenson University
Abilene Christian University
Southern New Hampshire University
Notre Dame College
Mercy College

Utica University
Albertus Magnus College
University of the Cumberlands
Notre Dame College
Holy Family University
Stevenson University
McKendree University
Keiser University
St. Petersburg College
Mercy College

University of Missouri–St. Louis 51%
Syracuse University 52%
University of South Carolina 64%
Abilene Christian University 66%
McKendree University 68%
Holy Family University 77%
Notre Dame College 79%
Albertus Magnus College 80%
Utica University 81%
University of the Cumberlands 83%

Saint Louis University 9 to 1
University of Alaska Fairbanks 11 to 1
Notre Dame College 11 to 1
Utica University 11 to 1
Abilene Christian University 13 to 1
University of Missouri–St. Louis 13 to 1
Holy Family University 13 to 1
Eastern Michigan University 14 to 1
Roger Williams University 14 to 1
Stevenson University 15 to 1

St. Petersburg College $1,943
Boise State University $5,532
Old Dominion University $7,239
University of Alaska Fairbanks $7,659
University of Alabama at Birmingham $8,832
University of the Cumberlands $9,875
University of Arizona $11,210
University of South Carolina $12,288
University of Missouri–St. Louis $12,528
National University $13,320

University of the Cumberlands $4,282
Boise State University $7,236
Liberty University $7,893
Stevenson University $8,340
University of Alabama at Birmingham $8,424
McKendree University $9,450
Old Dominion University $10,519
University of Alaska Fairbanks $11,535
Holy Family University $11,811
University of Arizona $12,348

Table of Contents

Learn 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.

How do we determine the best online cybersecurity bachelor's degree programs?

Methodology

Pursuing your degree online doesn’t mean you need to settle for an inferior school. Today, most universities and colleges offer online degrees, and many respected schools are seeing significant growth in their numbers of online students.

The people affiliated with a school are ultimately what make it great. This is why influence — i.e., the academic impact of faculty and alumni associated with a school — gets at the heart of what is truly best in education. The combined influence score of a college or university’s top academic influencers is the best indicator of academic excellence. For our online degree rankings, we focus on the academic influence of faculty and alumni in the specific disciplines we’re ranking.

If you are serious about finding the best online colleges, you should be asking where the most influential professors are teaching, and whether their graduates themselves are advancing the school’s reputation for academic excellence. Most ranking sites rely on an opaque combination of reputation surveys and arbitrary performance metrics. Influence, as measured by our InfluenceRanking engine, provides a ranking that is free from bias, insulated from manipulation, and reflective of real-world educational outcomes.

Featured Programs

25 Best Online Bachelor’s in Cybersecurity Degree Programs

Career Outlook for Students with Cybersecurity Degree

Go to Degree Finder tool

Computer And Information Systems Security/Auditing/Information Assurance

Degree Level: Bachelor's

Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
Avg. Cost of Degree*: $10,117
Avg. Expenses*: $16,240
Avg. Starting Salary*: $59,164
Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $76,771
Avg. Cost Recoup Time**: 8 years
Job Growth: 11.36%
Number of Jobs: 1,573,500
* denotes ‘annually’
** denotes ‘at 15% of annual salary’

Career Salaries

Career	Job Growth	Avg. Salary
Computer and Information Systems Managers	15.41%	$134,192
Database Architects	10.00%	$120,910
Computer Network Architects	3.55%	$111,162
Managers, All Other	3.35%	$106,040
Information Security Analysts	31.55%	$102,130
Database Administrators	7.04%	$90,551
Project Management Specialists	6.21%	$83,516
Network and Computer Systems Administrators	2.44%	$82,905
Computer Occupations, All Other	9.72%	$79,886
Web Developers	16.90%	$72,340

Average Career Salaries

Bottom 10%	Median	Top 10%
$61,034	$98,954	$146,290

Promising Job Markets

State	Cost of Living	Avg. Salary
#2 Georgia	13% higher than average	$108,150
#3 Virginia	5% higher than average	$117,193
#4 North Carolina	11% higher than average	$105,853
#5 Texas	10% higher than average	$105,429
#6 Washington	7% higher than average	$124,389
#7 New York	5% higher than average	$121,625
#8 Delaware	2% higher than average	$118,825
#9 Ohio	14% higher than average	$97,668
#10 Illinois	7% higher than average	$104,714
#11 Minnesota	4% higher than average	$106,067
#12 Colorado	3% higher than average	$113,445
#13 Michigan	15% higher than average	$93,068
#14 Alabama	13% higher than average	$93,644
#15 Missouri	16% higher than average	$90,354
#16 New Jersey	13% higher than average	$120,978
#17 Arizona	5% higher than average	$100,039
#18 New Mexico	7% higher than average	$97,539
#19 Florida	6% higher than average	$98,353
#20 Tennessee	14% higher than average	$88,420
#21 Pennsylvania	5% higher than average	$97,685
#22 South Dakota	7% higher than average	$94,668
#23 Iowa	9% higher than average	$92,793
#24 Oklahoma	13% higher than average	$88,555
#25 South Carolina	8% higher than average	$93,780
#26 Utah	4% higher than average	$97,483
#27 Wisconsin	7% higher than average	$94,777
#28 Maryland	18% higher than average	$118,732
#29 California	26% higher than average	$126,026
#30 Kansas	9% higher than average	$90,746
#31 Kentucky	14% higher than average	$85,084
#32 West Virginia	11% higher than average	$86,006
#33 Massachusetts	24% higher than average	$119,614
#34 Connecticut	18% higher than average	$113,007
#35 Mississippi	18% higher than average	$78,418
#36 New Hampshire	13% higher than average	$106,211
#37 Rhode Island	20% higher than average	$112,099
#38 Indiana	11% higher than average	$82,896
#39 Nebraska	6% higher than average	$87,308
#40 Idaho	7% higher than average	$86,194
#41 Louisiana	9% higher than average	$83,197
#42 Arkansas	16% higher than average	$77,359
#43 Oregon	11% higher than average	$100,934
#44 North Dakota	average	$85,440
#45 Nevada	5% higher than average	$87,162
#46 Wyoming	2% higher than average	$80,980
#47 District of Columbia	49% higher than average	$122,905
#48 Montana	3% higher than average	$79,120
#49 Maine	9% higher than average	$88,864
#50 Alaska	23% higher than average	$97,396
#51 Vermont	13% higher than average	$88,412
#52 Hawaii	40% higher than average	$96,358

Top Industries

Industry	Avg. Salary
Computer and Information Systems Managers	$134,192
Database Architects	$120,910
Computer Network Architects	$111,162
Managers, All Other	$106,040
Information Security Analysts	$102,130
Database Administrators	$90,551
Project Management Specialists	$83,516
Network and Computer Systems Administrators	$82,905
Computer Occupations, All Other	$79,886
Web Developers	$72,340

Data from The Bureau of Labor Statistics, The Department of Education College Scorecard, The Department of Education NCES, and The Council for Community and Economic Research.

Frequently Asked Questions About Online Cybersecurity Bachelor’s Degrees

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 that even as recently as the 10 years ago, there were no universities in the United States, or anywhere in the world offering a cyber security degree program. Today, students can study cyber security in nearly 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.

Both 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.

Typically, 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.

Graduates often find positions in the energy, healthcare, finance, and government industries as software developers, security administrators, information assurance engineers, and IT security consultants.

Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Do you have a question about this topic? Ask it here

Best Online Bachelor’s in Cybersecurity

Key Takeaways

Top 10 Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity Degrees

Featured Programs

25 Best Online Bachelor’s in Cybersecurity Degree Programs

Career Outlook for Cybersecurity degree at University of Arizona

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Cybersecurity degree at Syracuse University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Cybersecurity degree at University of South Carolina

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Cybersecurity degree at University of Alaska Fairbanks

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Cybersecurity degree at Roger Williams University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Cybersecurity degree at Saint Louis University

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Cybersecurity degree at Eastern Michigan University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Cybersecurity degree at Old Dominion University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Cybersecurity degree at St. Petersburg College

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Cybersecurity degree at University of Missouri–St. Louis

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Cybersecurity degree at National University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Cybersecurity degree at Holy Family University

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Cybersecurity degree at University of Alabama at Birmingham

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Cybersecurity degree at Boise State University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Cybersecurity degree at McKendree University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Cybersecurity degree at Mercy College

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Cybersecurity degree at Notre Dame College

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Cybersecurity degree at Southern New Hampshire University

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Cybersecurity degree at Abilene Christian University

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Cybersecurity degree at Stevenson University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Cybersecurity degree at Liberty University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Cybersecurity degree at Utica University

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Cybersecurity degree at Keiser University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Cybersecurity degree at University of the Cumberlands

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Cybersecurity degree at Albertus Magnus College

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Students with Cybersecurity Degree

Computer And Information Systems Security/Auditing/Information Assurance

Degree Level: Bachelor's

Career Salaries

Average Career Salaries

Promising Job Markets

Top Industries

Frequently Asked Questions About Online Cybersecurity Bachelor’s Degrees

Is cybersecurity growing in demand?

Why get a bachelor’s in cybersecurity?

What will I learn while getting a bachelor’s in cybersecurity?

How long does it take to get a bachelor’s in cybersecurity?

What can I do with a bachelor’s in cybersecurity?