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Key Takeaways
2 cybersecurity programs from 2 public and 0 private institutions
2 schools physically in Tucson, plus 0 within 50 miles. Tuition ranges from $2,208 (Pima Community College) to $11,546 (University of Arizona).
Median cybersecurity salary: $108,000, 14% below the national median
Security engineers earn up to $116,640, while cybersecurity managers command $156,600 in the Tucson. Source: BLS OEWS Tucson MSA, May 2024.
An estimated 680 open cybersecurity positions in the Tucson
Arizona has 9,800 total cybersecurity openings, 7% concentrated in the Tucson metro. Nationally, 26% of cybersecurity roles remain unfilled.
2 NSA Center of Academic Excellence designated schools
Pima Community College, University of Arizona hold NSA/DHS CAE designation, the federal benchmark for cybersecurity education. CAE students may qualify for CyberCorps: Scholarship for Service (full tuition + stipend).
Updated June 28, 2026
How we ranked Tucson, Arizona Cybersecurity programs
We rank 4 accredited cybersecurity programs in Tucson, Arizona using IPEDS 2024 institutional data, BLS OEWS 2024 state salary data, and College Scorecard outcomes. A 4-factor weighted composite is normalized to a 0–100 score. Schools cannot pay for placement; rankings are produced algorithmically.
Cybersecurity Degree Rankings in Tucson, Arizona
Compare the top-ranked Cybersecurity programs in Tucson, Arizona by degree level. Tuition, graduation rate, and Hakia Score for every accredited program.
Best Associate's Cybersecurity Programs in Tucson, Arizona
Hakia ranks 1 accredited associate's cybersecurity program within 50 miles of Tucson, 1 public institution. 1 is physically located in Tucson, with the rest accessible via short commutes. The top-ranked programs include Pima Community College. Tuition for associate's programs ranges from $2,208 to $2,208 per year. Community colleges offer the most affordable entry into cybersecurity, and many have articulation agreements with nearby four-year universities for seamless credit transfer. Students can complete foundational coursework in networking, operating systems, and security fundamentals while earning industry certifications like CompTIA Security+ or CySA+. Graduates with a associate's degree in cybersecurity from Tucson-area schools can expect starting salaries in the range of $70,200 to $84,240 in the local market, with roles such as SOC analyst, IT security technician, or network security associate. The Tucson metro area has an estimated 680 open cybersecurity positions, and the BLS projects +33% job growth through 2033. Pima Community College holds NSA Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) designation at this level, the federal benchmark for cybersecurity education. CAE students may qualify for the CyberCorps: Scholarship for Service program, covering full tuition plus a stipend.
Cochise County Community College District
Show all 18 ranked programs
| Rank | School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #6 | University of Phoenix-Arizona | Phoenix, AZ | Private for-profit | $9,552 | 21% | 69.8 |
| #7 | Glendale Community College | Glendale, AZ | Public | $2,328 | 16% | 67.8 |
| #8 | Mesa Community College | Mesa, AZ | Public | $2,328 | 16% | 67.6 |
| #9 | GateWay Community College | Phoenix, AZ | Public | $2,328 | 29% | 67.1 |
| #10 | Phoenix College | Phoenix, AZ | Public | $2,328 | 14% | 64.8 |
| #11 | Paradise Valley Community College | Phoenix, AZ | Public | $2,328 | 19% | 64.6 |
| #12 | Scottsdale Community College | Scottsdale, AZ | Public | $2,328 | 17% | 64.5 |
| #13 | Rio Salado College | Tempe, AZ | Public | $2,338 | 9% | 64.3 |
| #14 | University of Advancing Technology | Tempe, AZ | Private for-profit | $17,900 | 35% | 62.2 |
| #15 | American InterContinental University System | Chandler, AZ | Private for-profit | $11,737 | 9% | 61.7 |
| #16 | Northland Pioneer College | Holbrook, AZ | Public | $2,184 | 22% | 60.9 |
| #17 | Coconino Community College | Flagstaff, AZ | Public | $3,470 | 24% | 60.1 |
| #18 | South Mountain Community College | Phoenix, AZ | Public | $2,328 | 16% | 59.6 |
Best Bachelor's Cybersecurity Programs in Tucson, Arizona
Hakia ranks 1 accredited bachelor's cybersecurity program within 50 miles of Tucson, 1 public institution. 1 is physically located in Tucson, with the rest accessible via short commutes. The top-ranked programs include University of Arizona. Annual tuition ranges from $11,546 to $11,546 (average: $11,546). A four-year cybersecurity degree covers core topics including network defense, ethical hacking, digital forensics, and security policy, preparing graduates for roles as security analyst, penetration tester, or incident response specialist. The average graduation rate across these programs is 68%. Graduates with a bachelor's degree in cybersecurity from Tucson-area schools can expect starting salaries in the range of $95,040 to $102,600 in the local market, with roles such as security analyst, penetration tester, or incident response specialist. The Tucson metro area has an estimated 680 open cybersecurity positions, and the BLS projects +33% job growth through 2033. University of Arizona holds NSA Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) designation at this level, the federal benchmark for cybersecurity education. CAE students may qualify for the CyberCorps: Scholarship for Service program, covering full tuition plus a stipend.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott
University of Phoenix-Arizona
University of Advancing Technology
Best Master's Cybersecurity Programs in Tucson, Arizona
Hakia ranks 1 accredited master's cybersecurity program within 50 miles of Tucson, 1 public institution. 1 is physically located in Tucson, with the rest accessible via short commutes. The top-ranked programs include University of Arizona. Graduate tuition ranges from $11,546 to $11,546 per year. Master's programs take 18-24 months and focus on advanced topics like threat intelligence, security architecture, risk management, and leadership, designed for professionals looking to move into senior technical or management roles. Average completion rate: 68%. Graduates with a master's degree in cybersecurity from Tucson-area schools can expect starting salaries in the range of $116,640 to $131,760 in the local market, with roles such as security engineer, security architect, or cybersecurity consultant. The Tucson metro area has an estimated 680 open cybersecurity positions, and the BLS projects +33% job growth through 2033. University of Arizona holds NSA Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) designation at this level, the federal benchmark for cybersecurity education. CAE students may qualify for the CyberCorps: Scholarship for Service program, covering full tuition plus a stipend.
Why Study Cybersecurity in Tucson, Arizona
Tucson is home to a growing cybersecurity education ecosystem with 2 accredited programs across 1 associate's, 1 bachelor's, 1 master's, 1 doctoral degree levels within 50 miles. 2 of these institutions are physically located in Tucson, with the remaining schools accessible via short commutes from surrounding communities in the Tucson.
2 schools near Tucson hold NSA Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) designation: Pima Community College, University of Arizona. The CAE program, jointly sponsored by the NSA and DHS, certifies schools whose cybersecurity curricula meet rigorous federal standards aligned with the NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework. Students at CAE-designated schools may qualify for the CyberCorps: Scholarship for Service program, which covers full tuition plus a $25,000-$34,000 annual stipend in exchange for government service after graduation.
The Tucson cybersecurity job market is substantial, with an estimated 680 open positions and a median salary of $108,000 for information security analysts (BLS OEWS May 2024). The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +33% job growth for cybersecurity roles through 2033, making it one of the fastest-growing occupations in the U.S. economy. For students in Tucson, this translates to strong local hiring prospects upon graduation.
Among the top-ranked programs, University of Arizona (68.4% graduation rate) leads the bachelor's rankings. See our complete rankings below for detailed program comparisons across all degree levels.
Median Cybersecurity Salary in Tucson
Source: BLS OEWS Tucson MSA, May 2024
Cybersecurity Salaries by Role: Tucson vs. National Average
| Role | Tucson Metro | National Median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Security Analyst | $95,040 | $109,921 | -14% |
| Penetration Tester | $102,600 | $118,665 | -14% |
| Security Engineer | $116,640 | $134,903 | -14% |
| Security Architect | $131,760 | $152,390 | -14% |
| Cybersecurity Manager / CISO | $156,600 | $181,120 | -14% |
Source: BLS OEWS Tucson MSA, May 2024. Role estimates derived from BLS SOC 15-1212 median.
Cybersecurity Salaries in Tucson: What to Expect by Role
Cybersecurity professionals in the Tucson earn a median salary of $108,000, which is 14% below the national median of $124,910 (BLS OEWS May 2024, SOC 15-1212: Information Security Analysts). This positions Tucson as a market where cybersecurity salaries are offset by Tucson's lower cost of living compared to coastal tech hubs.
Entry-level security analysts in Tucson can expect starting salaries around $95,040, making cybersecurity one of the highest-paying entry points in the tech sector. With 2-5 years of experience, penetration testers, who simulate cyberattacks to identify vulnerabilities, earn approximately $102,600. Senior technical roles like security engineers command $116,640, while security architects who design enterprise defense systems earn up to $131,760.
At the management level, cybersecurity managers and CISOs in the Tucson can earn $156,600 or more, a 65% premium over entry-level positions. This career trajectory from analyst to manager spans 8-12 years, with certifications like CISSP (82,494 openings nationally), CompTIA Security+ (70,019 openings), and CISA (52,337 openings) significantly accelerating advancement and salary growth.
Security clearances provide an additional salary boost of approximately $25,000 per year. Professionals with Top Secret/SCI clearances can earn between $104,000 and $185,000 nationally, making this a particularly lucrative path for graduates near Tucson. For a deeper dive into cybersecurity compensation trends, see our Cybersecurity Analyst Salary Guide. You can also explore related fields like Information Security and Network Administration for adjacent career paths.
Top Cybersecurity Employers in Tucson
The Tucson cybersecurity job market spans 4 major sectors, with employers actively recruiting for roles ranging from entry-level SOC analysts to senior security architects. Here are the key employers driving cybersecurity hiring locally:
Healthcare
Banner Health Arizona. Regional healthcare operations with hospital IT security and patient data infrastructure.
Defense
Raytheon Tucson. Major defense contractor with missile systems and combat vehicle cybersecurity operations.
Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. Military installation with critical cybersecurity operations for Air Force command.
Government
University of Arizona. Academic institution with research IT security and campus network protection.
City of Tucson. Municipal IT infrastructure serving city services and utilities.
Technology
Intel Chandler/Arizona Operations. Semiconductor manufacturing with operational technology and intellectual property security.
These employers represent a cross-section of the Tucson area's cybersecurity hiring market. Many maintain partnerships with local universities for internships, co-ops, and direct hiring pipelines, making a degree from a Tucson-area school particularly valuable for breaking into the field.
Notable Cyber Incidents Affecting Tucson Organizations
Notable Cyber Incidents in the Tucson Area
Cyber threats aren't abstract risks for Tucson, they have directly impacted local organizations, showing the urgent need for trained cybersecurity professionals in the Tucson:
University of Arizona (2020), data breach. Compromise of student and faculty personal information through credential theft.
Arizona Department of Education (2023), ransomware. State education systems experienced disruptions affecting school district operations.
These incidents represent just a fraction of the cyber threats facing Tucson-area organizations. According to CyberSeek data, the Tucson metro area has an estimated 680 open cybersecurity positions, and the nationwide supply-to-demand ratio stands at just 74%, meaning roughly one in four cybersecurity roles goes unfilled. For students considering a cybersecurity degree, these real-world incidents demonstrate that the skills learned in programs near Tucson directly translate to preventing and responding to threats that affect their own community.
Cybersecurity Job Market in the Tucson
The cybersecurity job market in the Tucson reflects a broader national talent crisis. Arizona has approximately 9,800 open cybersecurity positions (CyberSeek, January 2026), with an estimated 680 concentrated in the Tucson metro area. Nationally, there are 514,359 unfilled cybersecurity roles across the United States, and the workforce gap continues to widen, the global shortfall reached 4.8 million positions in 2024, a 41% increase since 2022.
The supply-to-demand ratio for cybersecurity talent nationally is approximately 74%, meaning for every 100 cybersecurity jobs posted, only about 74 qualified candidates are available. This ratio has been declining steadily (from 116% in 2020 to 74% in 2025), which means cybersecurity graduates face increasingly favorable job prospects. For Tucson students specifically, this translates to strong local hiring demand and competitive starting salaries.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +33% growth in information security analyst employment through 2033, compared to just 4% for all occupations. This makes cybersecurity the 6th fastest-growing occupation in the United States. Within Arizona, the combination of growing digital transformation across industries is driving sustained demand for cybersecurity talent.
Most in-demand certifications that complement a cybersecurity degree from Tucson schools include CISSP (82,494 job postings nationally), CompTIA Security+ (70,019 postings), and CISA (52,337 postings). Many of the top-ranked programs near Tucson integrate certification preparation into their curricula, giving graduates a competitive edge in this seller's market. For statewide job market trends and additional programs, see our Arizona Cybersecurity Rankings.
Cybersecurity Degree Costs in Tucson
Cybersecurity degree programs near Tucson range from $2,208/year at Pima Community College to $11,546/year at University of Arizona.
Return on investment is compelling: with a median cybersecurity salary of $108,000 in the Tucson area versus a high school diploma median of $42,000 (BLS 2024), a four-year bachelor's degree at a typical tuition rate (approximately $46,184 total) can be recouped in roughly 0.7 years of the annual salary premium. Community college cybersecurity programs offer an even faster path, a two-year associate's degree for as little as $4,416 provides foundational credentials for entry-level SOC analyst or IT security roles paying $81,000+.
Ways to reduce costs: Federal financial aid (FAFSA), Arizona state grants, institutional scholarships, and cybersecurity-specific funding like the CyberCorps: Scholarship for Service program (full tuition + $25,000-$34,000 annual stipend). Many employers in the Tucson area also offer tuition reimbursement for employees pursuing cybersecurity degrees, check with local employers listed in our employer section above.
Cybersecurity Degree Programs in Tucson: Frequently Asked Questions
How many cybersecurity degree programs are available in Tucson, Arizona?
What's the average cybersecurity salary in Tucson?
How many cybersecurity jobs are available in Tucson?
Which Tucson schools have NSA Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) designation?
Can I earn a cybersecurity degree online from Tucson schools?
Data Sources
U.S. Department of Education institutional data: enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, and institutional characteristics for all Title IV schools
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for Information Security Analysts (SOC 15-1212). National median: $124,910.
Cybersecurity workforce supply and demand data powered by CompTIA and NICE. Arizona: 9,800 openings. National: 514,359 openings, 26% vacancy rate.
National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity program designations. 2 designated schools near Tucson.
Last Updated: June 26, 2026. Rankings based on IPEDS 2024 institutional data. Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 release. Job market data from CyberSeek (January 2026). NSA CAE designations verified as of February 2026.
Taylor Rupe
Co-founder & Editor (B.S. Computer Science, Oregon State • B.A. Psychology, University of Washington)
Taylor combines technical expertise in computer science with a deep understanding of human behavior and learning. His dual background drives Hakia's mission: leveraging technology to build authoritative educational resources that help people make better decisions about their academic and career paths.