Name: U.S. Cybersecurity Degree Programs Database
Creator: CybersecurityUSA.org
License: https://cybersecurityusa.org/terms-of-use

Median salary $124,910. 29% projected job growth through 2034. 206 programs in the U.S., ~110 with CAE designation.

Quick Answer: A cybersecurity bachelor's degree typically takes four years and 120 credit hours to complete. Total program costs range from roughly $21,000 to over $283,000 depending on school type and residency. Graduates commonly step into roles like information security analyst, which carries a national median salary of $124,910 according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data from May 2024. Job growth in the field is projected at 29% through 2034 — the fastest among computer occupations.

Why a Cybersecurity Bachelor's Degree Is Worth Pursuing

Cybersecurity sits at the intersection of national security, finance, healthcare, and every other sector that runs on data — which is basically all of them. The bachelor's degree is the credential that gets your foot in the door for the overwhelming majority of mid-level and above positions, especially in government contracting and regulated industries.

Here's what the data actually says:

Median salary: $124,910 per year for information security analysts (BLS, May 2024)
Projected growth: 29% from 2024 to 2034, translating to roughly 16,000–17,300 new openings annually
Entry-level range: $70,000–$85,000 for new graduates; $130,000–$180,000+ at mid-career
Average job growth across all occupations: ~4% — cybersecurity's 29% is over 7x that

Beyond money, cybersecurity work is genuinely dynamic. The threat landscape changes constantly. No two years in this field look the same, which makes for a career that rarely goes stale.

The bachelor's degree also pairs well with industry certifications. Think of the degree as foundational depth and certs like CompTIA Security+, CEH, and CISSP as targeted career accelerators layered on top.

What Is the CAE Designation and Why Should You Care?

When comparing programs, the single most important quality signal is NSA/DHS Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) designation. Of the 206 cybersecurity bachelor's programs currently operating in the U.S., roughly 110 hold this designation — meaning they've been independently vetted against federal standards for curriculum rigor.

Why does it matter?

Federal agencies and defense contractors give preference to CAE graduates
Many DoD 8570/8140 compliance roles explicitly prefer CAE-designated programs
CyberCorps: Scholarship for Service funding is only available through CAE institutions

If you have any interest in government or defense work, CAE status should be a first filter, not an afterthought.

Cybersecurity Degree vs. Computer Science Degree: Which Is Right for You?

This is the most common question prospective students wrestle with, and the honest answer is: it depends on where you want to end up.

Choose a dedicated cybersecurity degree if:
- You're targeting government, defense, or regulated industries (healthcare, finance)
- Security clearance roles are on your radar
- You want CAE designation to be a built-in advantage

Choose a computer science degree with security emphasis if:
- You want to combine security work with software engineering or research
- Deep programming proficiency is core to your target role
- You're open to a longer runway into security-specific work

Many schools now offer hybrid options — double majors, concentrations, or 4+1 accelerated programs — that let you capture the depth of CS alongside specialized security coursework.

2026 Rankings: Best Cybersecurity Bachelor's Degree Programs

The following programs were evaluated using IPEDS and College Navigator data accessed in early 2026. Criteria include CAE designation status, graduation rates, student-faculty ratio, and cost relative to outcomes.

University of South Florida — Tampa, FL
Florida International University — Miami, FL
Loyola University Chicago — Chicago, IL
University of West Florida — Pensacola, FL
Brigham Young University–Provo — Provo, UT
University of Cincinnati — Cincinnati, OH
Florida A&M University — Tallahassee, FL
Pennsylvania State University — University Park, PA
University of Illinois Springfield — Springfield, IL
ECPI University — Virginia Beach, VA
Pace University — New York, NY
Old Dominion University — Norfolk, VA
Southeast Missouri State University — Cape Girardeau, MO
Ferris State University — Big Rapids, MI
Johnson & Wales University — Providence, RI
Stevens Institute of Technology — Hoboken, NJ
University of Central Missouri — Warrensburg, MO
Central Connecticut State University — New Britain, CT
Saint Leo University — Saint Leo, FL
Eastern Michigan University — Ypsilanti, MI
Bellevue University — Bellevue, NE
Baker College — Owosso, MI
New England Institute of Technology — East Greenwich, RI
Saint Vincent College — Latrobe, PA
Cedarville University — Cedarville, OH

Admission Requirements: What Programs Actually Want

Most programs require a high school diploma or GED and a minimum GPA around 3.0, though this varies significantly. Selective programs may require 3.5 or higher; open-enrollment schools may not set a minimum at all.

Core academic preparation that helps:
- AP Computer Science or equivalent
- Math through pre-calculus or calculus
- Any introductory programming exposure

Non-academic signals that strengthen applications:
- GitHub portfolio with coding projects
- CompTIA IT Fundamentals+ (ITF+) or CompTIA A+ certification
- Participation in competitions like CyberPatriot, picoCTF, or National Cyber League
- Technology club involvement or volunteer IT work

Career changers: IT work experience in network administration or systems management often substitutes for some prerequisites. Check individual program transfer credit policies.

What You'll Study: Core Curriculum and Concentrations

Undergraduate cybersecurity programs cover both offensive and defensive security — students learn how attacks are executed and how to stop them. This dual-track philosophy is intentional; you can't defend effectively what you don't understand from an attacker's perspective.

The five core areas across most programs:

1. Computer Science Foundations
Programming, data structures, operating systems theory, and computational thinking. This is the bedrock that everything else builds on.

2. Network Security Design
How networks are architected, where they're vulnerable, and how to harden them. This is central to virtually every cybersecurity career path.

3. Ethics and Legal Frameworks
Rights and responsibilities of security professionals, ethical hacking frameworks, and the legal landscape governing offensive and defensive operations.

4. Digital Forensics
Investigating security incidents, tracing intrusions, and building evidentiary records that hold up in legal proceedings.

5. Mobile and Wireless Security
Securing the devices and wireless infrastructure that now underpin most of our digital activity.

Common specialization tracks:
- Management and leadership
- Digital forensics
- Information assurance
- Cloud security
- Cybersecurity policy and governance

Hands-on learning is now standard in well-designed programs. Cyber range exercises — simulated attack-and-defense environments — give students real-world practice and portfolio material that employers actually value. Some programs embed certification prep into the curriculum, allowing students to sit for CompTIA Security+ before graduation.

How Much Does a Cybersecurity Bachelor's Degree Cost?

Based on analysis of all 206 U.S. programs:

Metric	Value
Most common credit requirement	120 credits
Per-credit cost range	$180 – $2,251
Total degree cost range	$21,600 – $283,626
Average cost at private institutions	$113,046
Average tuition increase (2024–2025 to 2025–2026)	11.74%

Factors that affect your actual cost:
- In-state vs. out-of-state tuition at public universities
- Online vs. campus delivery (online often has a separate per-credit rate)
- Whether you qualify for institutional scholarships
- Transfer credits from community college

Community college pathway: Starting at a community college and transferring can reduce total degree cost by $20,000–$40,000 or more. Many two-year schools have articulation agreements with four-year universities that guarantee smooth credit transfer.

Major Scholarships for Cybersecurity Students

CyberCorps: Scholarship for Service (SFS)
Administered by NSF in partnership with DHS. Covers full tuition plus stipends in exchange for post-graduation federal government service. One of the most comprehensive funding opportunities available — and only through CAE-designated institutions.

SMART Scholarship (Department of Defense)
Covers full tuition, living stipend, and additional benefits. Recipients work for a DoD agency during summers and post-graduation for a period proportional to the scholarship duration.

Stokes Educational Scholarship (NSA)
Up to $30,000 per year for high school seniors entering a cybersecurity program. Post-graduation NSA employment commitment required.

Center for Cyber Safety and Education
Multiple scholarships including awards specifically for women in cybersecurity. Available for both campus and online students.

Career Outlook After Graduation

Cybersecurity graduates enter one of the strongest job markets in the current U.S. economy. With 29% projected growth from 2024 to 2034, employers across every sector are competing for qualified people.

Common early-career roles:
- Information security analyst — $124,910 median (BLS, 2024)
- Security operations center (SOC) analyst
- IT security specialist
- Network security engineer (entry level)

Mid-to-senior career paths:
- Security engineer — $120,000–$160,000 typically
- Security architect — $140,000–$180,000+ with experience
- Penetration tester/ethical hacker — $80,000–$150,000+
- Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) — $180,000–$300,000+

Industries hiring aggressively:
- Federal government and defense (often with security clearance premium)
- Financial services and banking
- Healthcare (HIPAA compliance driving demand)
- Technology companies
- Critical infrastructure operators

Certifications that multiply earnings:
The degree gives you the foundation; certifications build specialized value on top. Post-graduation, the common path runs through CompTIA Security+ → CEH or GIAC credentials → CISSP (once you have five years of experience).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a cybersecurity degree hard?
Yes — it requires sustained effort in technical subjects including math, programming, and systems theory. But the field is highly applied. Hands-on lab work and cyber range exercises make it more engaging than purely theoretical programs, and that practical emphasis is exactly what makes graduates valuable to employers.

Do I need a cybersecurity degree to work in cybersecurity?
Not for every entry-level role. Certifications and bootcamps can provide initial access. But for mid-level, leadership, and clearance-dependent positions, a bachelor's degree is typically the baseline requirement. If you're planning a long-term career in the field, it's the most reliable foundation.

What's the ROI?
Strong. Against a total degree cost averaging $113,046 at private schools (much less at public schools in-state), a median salary of $124,910 represents a short payback window — especially when entry-level salaries start at $70,000–$85,000.

What GPA do I need?
Around 3.0 for most programs. More selective programs want 3.5+. Some programs are open-enrollment. Strong technical aptitude — demonstrated through projects, competitions, or certs — can offset a lower GPA at many schools.

Complete List of U.S. Cybersecurity Bachelor's Degree Programs

The following is a representative selection from the 206 accredited programs nationwide. Schools are listed alphabetically.

Data sourced from IPEDS and College Navigator (National Center for Education Statistics). Salary figures from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2024. For the most current program details, contact institutions directly.

Published by CybersecurityUSA.org

Cybersecurity Bachelor's Degree: Everything You Need to Know in 2026