- 1.Information Security Analysts earn a median salary of $120,360 with 32% projected job growth through 2032 (BLS OES 2024)
- 2.Top-ranked Cybersecurity programs include Columbia Basin College, Florida State College at Jacksonville, Edmonds College based on graduation rates, program strength, and career outcomes
- 3.Best value: Columbia Basin College offers cybersecurity education at $5,514/year with 97% graduation rate
- 4.50 accredited Cybersecurity programs analyzed using IPEDS 2023 completion data
Best Cybersecurity Programs - Top 10 Associate's
Columbia Basin College
28 cybersecurity graduates annually
Why Ranked #1
Ranked #1 for Cybersecurity based on 97% graduation rate, 28 graduates, and overall score of 55.4/100. Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Program Strengths
- 97% graduation rate
- 28 cybersecurity graduates annually
- Accredited institution
Florida State College at Jacksonville
57 cybersecurity graduates annually
Why Ranked #2
Ranked #2 for Cybersecurity based on 89% graduation rate, 57 graduates, and overall score of 51.7/100. Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Program Strengths
- 89% graduation rate
- 57 cybersecurity graduates annually
- Accredited institution
Edmonds College
19 cybersecurity graduates annually
Why Ranked #3
Ranked #3 for Cybersecurity based on 93% graduation rate, 19 graduates, and overall score of 51/100. Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Program Strengths
- 93% graduation rate
- 19 cybersecurity graduates annually
- Accredited institution
MiraCosta College
13 cybersecurity graduates annually
Valencia College
55 cybersecurity graduates annually
Columbus State University
13 cybersecurity graduates annually
Olympic College
12 cybersecurity graduates annually
Saint Leo University
10 cybersecurity graduates annually
Pasco-Hernando State College
26 cybersecurity graduates annually
Southern New Hampshire University
42 cybersecurity graduates annually
Best Cybersecurity Programs - Compare Top 5 Associate's
| School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Columbia Basin College | Pasco, WA | Public | $5,514 | 97% | 55.4/100 |
| #2 Florida State College at Jacksonville | Jacksonville, FL | Public | $2,095 | 89% | 51.7/100 |
| #3 Edmonds College | Lynnwood, WA | Public | $4,073 | 93% | 51/100 |
| #4 MiraCosta College | Oceanside, CA | Public | $1,104 | 94% | 50.4/100 |
| #5 Valencia College | Orlando, FL | Public | $1,984 | 86% | 48.5/100 |
Top 50 Cybersecurity Associate Degree Programs
| Rank | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbia Basin College | Pasco, WA | Public | $5,514 | 97% | — | 55.4 |
| 2 | Florida State College at Jacksonville | Jacksonville, FL | Public | $2,095 | 89% | — | 51.7 |
| 3 | Edmonds College | Lynnwood, WA | Public | $4,073 | 93% | — | 51 |
| 4 | MiraCosta College | Oceanside, CA | Public | $1,104 | 94% | — | 50.4 |
| 5 | Valencia College | Orlando, FL | Public | $1,984 | 86% | — | 48.5 |
| 6 | Columbus State University | Columbus, GA | Public | $4,371 | 93% | — | 48.5 |
| 7 | Olympic College | Bremerton, WA | Public | $4,197 | 85% | — | 48.4 |
| 8 | Saint Leo University | Saint Leo, FL | Private | $26,240 | 85% | — | 48.1 |
| 9 | Pasco-Hernando State College | New Port Richey, FL | Public | $2,297 | 96% | — | 47.7 |
| 10 | Southern New Hampshire University | Manchester, NH | Private | $15,450 | 67% | — | 46.9 |
| 11 | Lackawanna College | Scranton, PA | Private | $17,020 | 99% | — | 46.8 |
| 12 | State College of Florida-Manatee-Sarasota | Bradenton, FL | Public | $2,365 | 95% | — | 46.8 |
| 13 | Clover Park Technical College | Lakewood, WA | Public | $5,740 | 62% | — | 46.6 |
| 14 | Palm Beach State College | Lake Worth, FL | Public | $3,030 | 90% | — | 46.6 |
| 15 | Hawaii Pacific University | Honolulu, HI | Private | $35,580 | 90% | — | 46.1 |
| 16 | Montreat College | Montreat, NC | Private | $31,460 | 89% | — | 45.9 |
| 17 | Dallas College | Dallas, TX | Public | $4,050 | 71% | — | 45.7 |
| 18 | Gwinnett Technical College | Lawrenceville, GA | Public | $2,400 | — | — | 45 |
| 19 | Northern Virginia Community College | Annandale, VA | Public | $5,550 | — | — | 44.9 |
| 20 | Madison Area Technical College | Madison, WI | Public | $4,386 | 82% | — | 44.4 |
| 21 | Gulf Coast State College | Panama City, FL | Public | $1,750 | 90% | — | 44.3 |
| 22 | Rio Hondo College | Whittier, CA | Public | $1,306 | 65% | — | 44.3 |
| 23 | South Florida State College | Avon Park, FL | Public | $3,135 | 92% | — | 43.7 |
| 24 | Wilmington University | New Castle, DE | Private | $12,270 | — | — | 42.6 |
| 25 | St Petersburg College | St. Petersburg, FL | Public | $1,943 | — | — | 42.3 |
Showing 1–25 of 50
Cybersecurity Associate Degree Overview
Associate degrees in cybersecurity provide the foundational skills needed for entry-level positions in information security. These 2-year programs typically include coursework in network security, ethical hacking, digital forensics, and risk management. Unlike traditional IT programs, cybersecurity associate degrees focus specifically on protecting digital assets and responding to security threats.
Community colleges dominate this field, offering affordable programs with strong industry connections. Many programs integrate industry certifications like CompTIA Security+, Network+, and Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) into their curriculum. Graduates typically pursue roles as cybersecurity technicians, security analysts, or network security specialists with starting salaries ranging from $45,000 to $65,000 depending on location and employer.
Career Paths
Information Security Analyst
SOC 15-1212Monitor networks for security breaches, investigate violations, and implement security measures to protect computer systems and networks.
Cybersecurity Technician
Provide technical support for cybersecurity systems, assist with security monitoring, and help implement security protocols and procedures.
Network Security Specialist
Focus specifically on securing network infrastructure, implementing firewalls, monitoring network traffic, and responding to network-based threats.
IT Security Coordinator
Coordinate security initiatives across IT departments, manage security awareness training, and ensure compliance with security policies.
Digital Forensics Technician
Collect, preserve, and analyze digital evidence from computers, networks, and mobile devices for legal investigations.
Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst
Monitor security events, analyze threats, and respond to security incidents in a centralized security operations environment.
Top States for Cybersecurity Associate Programs
California
Texas
Virginia
Florida
Maryland
Pennsylvania
Ohio
Illinois
North Carolina
New York
Financial Aid and Costs for Cybersecurity Associate Programs
Community college cybersecurity programs offer exceptional value with average total program costs ranging from $6,000 to $12,000 for in-district students. Many programs qualify for federal financial aid, including Pell Grants that can cover a significant portion of tuition costs for eligible students. The National Science Foundation's CyberCorps Scholarship for Service program also provides funding for cybersecurity students who commit to working in government cybersecurity roles after graduation.
Beyond traditional financial aid, many cybersecurity associate programs have partnerships with employers who provide tuition assistance or guaranteed employment upon completion. Defense contractors, government agencies, and large corporations often recruit directly from community college cybersecurity programs, sometimes offering scholarships or internship programs that lead to full-time employment.
Top Programs Analysis
The top-ranked cybersecurity associate programs share several key characteristics: strong industry partnerships, integrated certification training, and robust career services. Northern Virginia Community College leads due to its NSA Center of Academic Excellence designation and proximity to government cybersecurity contractors in the Washington DC area.
Regional factors play a significant role in program quality and outcomes. Programs located near major tech hubs, government facilities, or financial centers typically offer better internship opportunities and job placement rates. For example, Montgomery College benefits from its location in the DC metro area, while Austin Community College leverages Austin's growing tech sector.
Detailed Program Spotlights
Our top 5 cybersecurity associate degree programs represent the best combination of academic quality, industry relevance, and career outcomes. Each program has unique strengths that cater to different student needs and career goals.
Which Cybersecurity Associate Program is Right for You?
- You want the highest quality cybersecurity education with national recognition
- You're interested in government or defense contractor cybersecurity roles
- You can afford slightly higher tuition for superior outcomes
- You value programs with rigorous standards and comprehensive curriculum
- Cost is your primary concern but you still want quality education
- You're looking for the best return on investment
- You plan to work while attending school and need affordable options
- You want to minimize student debt while gaining marketable skills
- You're a working professional who needs flexible scheduling
- You live in a rural area without local cybersecurity programs
- You're military personnel or veteran needing distance learning options
- You prefer self-paced learning with strong online support
- You know the specific industry where you want to work in cybersecurity
- You want specialized training beyond general cybersecurity skills
- You're located near major employers in specific sectors
- You value niche expertise that makes you stand out to employers
Frequently Asked Questions
Based on 284 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Degree completions (sqrt normalized, capped at 500)
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023
State-specific salary data from BLS OES 2024
Admission rate (lower = more selective)
Institution type (R1/R2 research bonus)
CAE-CD designation, curator bonuses
Data completeness proxy
Reporting completeness
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.