Top 3 Cybersecurity Programs in Arkansas 2025
University of Arkansas Grantham
23 cybersecurity graduates annually, N/A% graduation rate
John Brown University
1 cybersecurity graduates annually, 86% graduation rate
University of Central Arkansas
23 cybersecurity graduates annually, N/A% graduation rate
- 1.Arkansas offers 10+ accredited cybersecurity programs across public and private universities
- 2.University of Arkansas Grantham leads with strong% graduation rate
- 3.Arkansas software developers earn median $85,730 annually (BLS OES 2024)
- 4.Tech opportunities concentrated in Bentonville, Little Rock, Fayetteville
- 5.Cost of living index: 89% of US average (below average)
Cybersecurity Education in Arkansas: Overview
Arkansas offers 10 accredited cybersecurity programs, producing approximately 76 graduates annually. The state's tech industry is centered in Bentonville, Little Rock, Fayetteville, with major employers including Walmart, Tyson Foods, JB Hunt.
With a median software developer salary of $85,730 (BLS OES May 2024) and a cost of living index of 89% compared to the US average, Arkansas offers above-average purchasing power for tech workers.
The top cybersecurity programs in the state are led by University of Arkansas Grantham, John Brown University, University of Central Arkansas, each offering distinct advantages in terms of program size, graduation rates, and industry connections.
Arkansas Cybersecurity Programs Rankings 2025
| Rank | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Arkansas Grantham | LIttle Rock, AR | Public | $7,080 | — | 51 |
| 2 | John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | Private | $29,488 | 86% | 43.2 |
| 3 | University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | Public | $7,140 | — | 43 |
| 4 | Southern Arkansas University Tech | Camden, AR | Public | $3,300 | — | 40.3 |
| 5 | Arkansas State University-Mountain Home | Mountain Home, AR | Public | $2,616 | — | 40.3 |
| 6 | National Park College | Hot Springs, AR | Public | $3,600 | — | 39.2 |
| 7 | Southeast Arkansas College | Pine Bluff, AR | Public | $3,300 | — | 39.2 |
| 8 | Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, AR | Public | $5,995 | — | 38.6 |
| 9 | Strayer University-Arkansas | Little Rock, AR | For-Profit | $13,725 | — | 37.8 |
| 10 | Harding University | Searcy, AR | Private | $24,240 | — | 30.3 |
Top 5 Cybersecurity Programs in Arkansas: Side-by-Side
| School | U of Arkansas Grantham | John Brown | U of Central Arkansas | Southern Arkansas... | Arkansas State University... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 |
| In-State Tuition | $7,080 | $29,488 | $7,140 | $3,300 | $2,616 |
| Graduation Rate | N/A% | 86% | N/A% | N/A% | N/A% |
| Annual Graduates | 23 | 1 | 23 | 3 | 3 |
| Acceptance Rate | N/A | 68% | 90% | N/A | N/A |
| Type | Public | Private | Public | Public | Public |
| Score | 51.0/100 | 43.2/100 | 43.0/100 | 40.3/100 | 40.3/100 |
Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Cybersecurity in Arkansas
Arkansas offers 4 bachelor's-level cybersecurity programs. The top schools for undergraduate study are University of Arkansas Grantham, University of Central Arkansas, Arkansas Tech University. These programs prepare students for entry-level positions paying approximately $60,011 in the Arkansas market.
A bachelor's in cybersecurity typically requires 120-128 credit hours and takes 4 years to complete. For national rankings, see our Best Cybersecurity Bachelor's Programs guide.
Top 3 Cybersecurity Bachelor's Programs in Arkansas
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 U of Arkansas Grantham | $7,080 | N/A% | 23 | 51.0 |
| #2 U of Central Arkansas | $7,140 | N/A% | 23 | 43.0 |
| #3 Arkansas Tech | $5,995 | N/A% | 8 | 35.0 |
Top Cybersecurity Schools for Master's Degrees in Arkansas
For graduate study, Arkansas offers 1 master's-level cybersecurity programs. Leading institutions include John Brown University. A master's degree can boost earning potential by 15-25%, with senior roles in Arkansas reaching $111,449 or more.
Explore our complete national rankings of the best cybersecurity master's programs for more options beyond Arkansas.
Top 3 Cybersecurity Master's Programs in Arkansas
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 John Brown | $29,488 | 86% | 1 | 43.2 |
Most Affordable Cybersecurity Colleges in Arkansas
For budget-conscious students, the most affordable cybersecurity programs in Arkansas are at Arkansas State University-Mountain Home ($2,616/year), Southern Arkansas University Tech ($3,300/year), Southeast Arkansas College ($3,300/year). These programs offer strong ROI given Arkansas's competitive tech salaries.
At Arkansas State University-Mountain Home, a 4-year degree costs approximately $10,464 in tuition alone. With entry-level salaries around $60,011, graduates can typically recoup their investment within 0.4 years. See our Most Affordable Cybersecurity Programs for national comparisons.
Most Affordable Cybersecurity Programs in Arkansas (with ROI)
| School | Annual Tuition | 4-Year Cost | Payback Period | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Arkansas State University... | $2,616 | $10,464 | 0.4 years | Public |
| #2 Southern Arkansas... | $3,300 | $13,200 | 0.5 years | Public |
| #3 Southeast Arkansas College | $3,300 | $13,200 | 0.5 years | Public |
Detailed Program Spotlights: Inside the Top 5 Cybersecurity Schools in Arkansas
Below are detailed profiles of the top 5 cybersecurity programs in Arkansas, including admissions requirements, curriculum highlights, career outcomes, and what makes each program unique. Data sourced from official university websites and IPEDS 2023.
University of Arkansas Grantham
LIttle Rock, AR • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $7,080 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Cybersecurity Graduates: 23 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: N/A%
- • Ranking Score: 51.0 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 23 cybersecurity graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 51.0 / 100
Why Ranked #1
Ranked #1 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (23 graduates), state salary outcomes ($85,730), and selectivity (N/A% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Why Choose This Program
University of Arkansas Grantham offers cybersecurity education through flexible online programs with no standardized test requirements and provides new students with a brand-new Lenovo laptop at no additional cost.
Program Accreditations & Designations
Admissions
- Min GPA: 2.0
- Transfer Friendly
John Brown University
Siloam Springs, AR • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $29,488 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 86% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Cybersecurity Graduates: 1 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 68%
- • Ranking Score: 43.2 / 100
Program Strengths
- 86% graduation rate
- 1 cybersecurity graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 43.2 / 100
Why Ranked #2
Ranked #2 based on graduation rate (86%), program size (1 graduates), state salary outcomes ($85,730), and selectivity (68% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
University of Central Arkansas
Conway, AR • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $7,140 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Cybersecurity Graduates: 23 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 90%
- • Ranking Score: 43.0 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 23 cybersecurity graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 43.0 / 100
Why Ranked #3
Ranked #3 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (23 graduates), state salary outcomes ($85,730), and selectivity (90% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Why Choose This Program
The University of Central Arkansas Cybersecurity program is ABET-accredited and offers a multidisciplinary approach with specialized tracks in Cyberphysical Security, Management of Cybersecurity, and Cybersecurity Strategic Policy. The program features a Cyber Range facility and combines computer science fundamentals with cybersecurity-specific courses including computer forensics and information security.
Program Accreditations & Designations
Program Details
- Credits: minimum of 63 credit hours in computer science and cybersecurity, 18 credit hours in mathematics and laboratory sciences
- Capstone Project Required
Available Specializations / Concentrations
Sources
Southern Arkansas University Tech
Camden, AR • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $3,300 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Cybersecurity Graduates: 3 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: N/A%
- • Ranking Score: 40.3 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 3 cybersecurity graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 40.3 / 100
Why Ranked #4
Ranked #4 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (3 graduates), state salary outcomes ($85,730), and selectivity (N/A% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Arkansas State University-Mountain Home
Mountain Home, AR • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $2,616 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Cybersecurity Graduates: 3 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: N/A%
- • Ranking Score: 40.3 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 3 cybersecurity graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 40.3 / 100
Why Ranked #5
Ranked #5 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (3 graduates), state salary outcomes ($85,730), and selectivity (N/A% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Career Paths
Security Analyst
SOC 15-1212Security Analyst opportunities in Arkansas with strong job growth.
Penetration Tester
SOC 15-1212Penetration Tester opportunities in Arkansas with strong job growth.
Security Engineer
SOC 15-1212Security Engineer opportunities in Arkansas with strong job growth.
Incident Responder
SOC 15-1212Incident Responder opportunities in Arkansas with strong job growth.
Cybersecurity Programs in Other States
California
Texas
New York
Florida
Washington
Massachusetts
Illinois
Georgia
Which Should You Choose?
- You want access to tech jobs in Bentonville, Little Rock, Fayetteville
- You're seeking lower cost of living (89% of US average)
- You want to work at companies like Walmart or Tyson Foods
- You prefer Arkansas's quality of life
- You prioritize highest possible salary (consider CA, WA, NY)
- You want more program options (CA has 100+ vs Arkansas's 10)
- You're looking for major coastal tech hub concentration
Cybersecurity in Arkansas FAQ
Based on 10 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Cybersecurity degree completions indicating program size, faculty, and resources (IPEDS 2023)
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023
Admission rate from IPEDS 2023 (lower = more selective)
Arkansas-specific salaries from BLS OES May 2024
Related Resources
Data Sources & Methodology
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System - program completions, graduation rates, tuition, admissions
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics - Arkansas salary data
2023-2033 occupational outlook and growth projections
Program-specific admissions, curriculum, and career outcome data
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.