![Best Online Cybersecurity Degrees [NSA Designated] 2025](/images/heroes/rankings/cybersecurity-best-value-programs.webp)
Compare 127 NSA/DHS designated online cybersecurity degree programs using IPEDS 2024 and BLS 2024 data. Rankings analyze graduation rates, accreditation, career outcomes, and industry recognition.
$129,180 median salary · 84% graduation rate
Ranked #1 among online cybersecurity bachelor's programs by Hakia Score (91.6/100): 84% graduation rate, $129,180 median salary, $63,710 in-state tuition, 6 graduates a year. Federal data, IPEDS 2024 and BLS.
$129,180 median salary
Ranked #2 among online cybersecurity bachelor's programs by Hakia Score (87.4/100): $129,180 median salary, 30 graduates a year. Federal data, IPEDS 2024 and BLS.
$91,315 median salary · 67% graduation rate
Ranked #3 among online cybersecurity bachelor's programs by Hakia Score (87/100): 67% graduation rate, $91,315 median salary, $7,896 in-state tuition, 13 graduates a year. Federal data, IPEDS 2024 and BLS.
$129,180 median salary · 75% graduation rate
Ranked #4 among online cybersecurity bachelor's programs by Hakia Score (86.2/100): 75% graduation rate, $129,180 median salary, $11,685 in-state tuition, 103 graduates a year. Federal data, IPEDS 2024 and BLS.
$129,180 median salary · 57% graduation rate
Ranked #5 among online cybersecurity bachelor's programs by Hakia Score (85.7/100): 57% graduation rate, $129,180 median salary, $8,400 in-state tuition, 352 graduates a year. Federal data, IPEDS 2024 and BLS.
$91,315 median salary · 57% graduation rate
Ranked #6 among online cybersecurity bachelor's programs by Hakia Score (85/100): 57% graduation rate, $91,315 median salary, $19,950 in-state tuition, 32 graduates a year. Federal data, IPEDS 2024 and BLS.
$129,180 median salary · 63% graduation rate
Ranked #7 among online cybersecurity bachelor's programs by Hakia Score (82.6/100): 63% graduation rate, $129,180 median salary, $45,644 in-state tuition, 17 graduates a year. Federal data, IPEDS 2024 and BLS.
$129,180 median salary · 57% graduation rate
Ranked #8 among online cybersecurity bachelor's programs by Hakia Score (82/100): 57% graduation rate, $129,180 median salary, $15,120 in-state tuition, 12 graduates a year. Federal data, IPEDS 2024 and BLS.
$129,180 median salary · 71% graduation rate
Ranked #9 among online cybersecurity bachelor's programs by Hakia Score (81.8/100): 71% graduation rate, $129,180 median salary, $15,480 in-state tuition, 12 graduates a year. Federal data, IPEDS 2024 and BLS.
$129,180 median salary · 57% graduation rate
Ranked #10 among online cybersecurity bachelor's programs by Hakia Score (81.2/100): 57% graduation rate, $129,180 median salary, $16,344 in-state tuition, 26 graduates a year. Federal data, IPEDS 2024 and BLS.
Hakia ranks Syracuse University's online bachelor's cybersecurity program #1. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: fully online. Location: Syracuse, NY | Type: Private nonprofit | Tuition: $63,710/year | Graduation Rate: 84% | Median Salary: $129,180 | Score: 91.6
Hakia ranks Excelsior University's online bachelor's cybersecurity program #2. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: fully online. Location: Albany, NY | Type: Private nonprofit | Median Salary: $129,180 | Score: 87.4
Hakia ranks Charter Oak State College's online bachelor's cybersecurity program #3. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: fully online. Location: New Britain, CT | Type: Public | Tuition: $7,896/year | Graduation Rate: 67% | Median Salary: $91,315 | Score: 87.0
Hakia ranks University of Cincinnati-Main Campus's online bachelor's cybersecurity program #4. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: fully online. Location: Cincinnati, OH | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,685/year | Graduation Rate: 75% | Median Salary: $129,180 | Score: 86.2
Hakia ranks American Public University System's online bachelor's cybersecurity program #5. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: fully online. Location: Charles Town, WV | Type: Private for-profit | Tuition: $8,400/year | Graduation Rate: 57% | Median Salary: $129,180 | Score: 85.7
Hakia ranks Regent University's online bachelor's cybersecurity program #6. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: fully online. Location: Virginia Beach, VA | Type: Private nonprofit | Tuition: $19,950/year | Graduation Rate: 57% | Median Salary: $91,315 | Score: 85.0
Hakia ranks University of New Haven's online bachelor's cybersecurity program #7. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: fully online. Location: West Haven, CT | Type: Private nonprofit | Tuition: $45,644/year | Graduation Rate: 63% | Median Salary: $129,180 | Score: 82.6
Hakia ranks University of Missouri-St Louis's online bachelor's cybersecurity program #8. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: fully online. Location: Saint Louis, MO | Type: Public | Tuition: $15,120/year | Graduation Rate: 57% | Median Salary: $129,180 | Score: 82.0
Hakia ranks Sullivan University's online bachelor's cybersecurity program #9. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: fully online. Location: Louisville, KY | Type: Private for-profit | Tuition: $15,480/year | Graduation Rate: 71% | Median Salary: $129,180 | Score: 81.8
Hakia ranks Monroe University's online bachelor's cybersecurity program #10. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: fully online. Location: Bronx, NY | Type: Private for-profit | Tuition: $16,344/year | Graduation Rate: 57% | Median Salary: $129,180 | Score: 81.2
| School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Carnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh, PA | Private | $62,260 | 98% | 90.1/100 |
| #2 Purdue University-Main Campus | West Lafayette, IN | Public | $9,718 | 83% | 75.5/100 |
| #3 University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA | Private | $66,640 | 92% | 74.1/100 |
| #4 Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus | Atlanta, GA | Public | $10,258 | 76% | 73.5/100 |
| #5 Georgetown University | Washington, DC | Private | $64,896 | 1% | 72.4/100 |
Data from IPEDS 2024. Tuition shown is in-state for public schools.
| Rank | Program & School | Delivery | Annual Tuition | Grad Rate | Median Salary | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Bachelor's in Cybersecurity Syracuse UniversitySyracuse, NY · Private nonprofit | Online | $63,710 | 84% | $129,180 | 91.6 |
| #2 | Bachelor's in Cybersecurity Excelsior UniversityAlbany, NY · Private nonprofit | Online | — | — | $129,180 | 87.4 |
| #3 | Bachelor's in Cybersecurity Charter Oak State CollegeNew Britain, CT · Public | Online | $7,896 | 67% | $91,315 | 87.0 |
| #4 | Bachelor's in Cybersecurity University of Cincinnati-Main CampusCincinnati, OH · Public | Online | $11,685 | 75% | $129,180 | 86.2 |
| #5 | Bachelor's in Cybersecurity American Public University SystemCharles Town, WV · Private for-profit | Online | $8,400 | 57% | $129,180 | 85.7 |
| #6 | Bachelor's in Cybersecurity Regent UniversityVirginia Beach, VA · Private nonprofit | Online | $19,950 | 57% | $91,315 | 85.0 |
| #7 | Bachelor's in Cybersecurity University of New HavenWest Haven, CT · Private nonprofit | Online | $45,644 | 63% | $129,180 | 82.6 |
| #8 | Bachelor's in Cybersecurity University of Missouri-St LouisSaint Louis, MO · Public | Online | $15,120 | 57% | $129,180 | 82.0 |
| #9 | Bachelor's in Cybersecurity Sullivan UniversityLouisville, KY · Private for-profit | Online | $15,480 | 71% | $129,180 | 81.8 |
| #10 | Bachelor's in Cybersecurity Monroe UniversityBronx, NY · Private for-profit | Online | $16,344 | 57% | $129,180 | 81.2 |
| #11 | Bachelor's in Cybersecurity Purdue University GlobalWest Lafayette, IN · Public | Online | $10,080 | 50% | $129,180 | 80.8 |
| #12 | Bachelor's in Cybersecurity Kennesaw State UniversityKennesaw, GA · Public | Online | $4,560 | 52% | $129,180 | 80.5 |
| #13 | Bachelor's in Cybersecurity Northwood UniversityMidland, MI · Private nonprofit | Online | $32,800 | 63% | $129,180 | 80.4 |
| #14 | Bachelor's in Cybersecurity Concordia University-WisconsinMequon, WI · Private nonprofit | Online | $34,950 | 68% | $91,315 | 80.4 |
| #15 | Bachelor's in Cybersecurity Western Governors UniversitySalt Lake City, UT · Private nonprofit | Online | $8,180 | 46% | $129,180 | 79.5 |
| #16 | Bachelor's in Cybersecurity University of MaryBismarck, ND · Private nonprofit | Online | $19,940 | 67% | $129,180 | 79.4 |
| #17 | Bachelor's in Cybersecurity Boise State UniversityBoise, ID · Public | Online | $6,119 | 60% | $91,315 | 77.6 |
| #18 | Bachelor's in Cybersecurity California Baptist UniversityRiverside, CA · Private nonprofit | Online | $39,078 | 62% | $91,315 | 75.9 |
| #19 | Bachelor's in Cybersecurity Dakota State UniversityMadison, SD · Public | Online | $7,616 | 51% | $129,180 | 75.8 |
| #20 | Bachelor's in Cybersecurity St Petersburg CollegeSt. Petersburg, FL · Public | Online | $1,943 | 38% | $129,180 | 75.3 |
| #21 | Bachelor's in Cybersecurity Western Michigan UniversityKalamazoo, MI · Public | Online | $15,861 | 58% | $129,180 | 74.9 |
| #22 | Bachelor's in Cybersecurity Liberty UniversityLynchburg, VA · Private nonprofit | Online | $15,297 | 65% | $129,180 | 74.8 |
| #23 | Bachelor's in Cybersecurity California Institute of Arts & TechnologyNational City, CA · Private for-profit | Online | $21,120 | 56% | $129,180 | 74.6 |
| #24 | Bachelor's in Cybersecurity Murray State UniversityMurray, KY · Public | Online | $8,604 | 61% | $129,180 | 74.3 |
| #25 | Bachelor's in Cybersecurity Rasmussen University-MinnesotaSt. Cloud, MN · Private for-profit | Online | $10,595 | 53% | $129,180 | 73.8 |
| #26 | Bachelor's in Cybersecurity Miller-Motte College-ChattanoogaChattanooga, TN · Private for-profit | Online | — | 60% | $129,180 | 73.8 |
| #27 | Bachelor's in Cybersecurity Old Dominion UniversityNorfolk, VA · Public | Online | $7,800 | 46% | $129,180 | 73.7 |
| #28 | Bachelor's in Cybersecurity Saint Leo UniversitySaint Leo, FL · Private nonprofit | Online | $27,880 | 45% | $129,180 | 73.3 |
| #29 | Bachelor's in Cybersecurity University of Maryland Global CampusAdelphi, MD · Public | Online | $7,776 | 33% | $129,180 | 73.2 |
| #30 | Bachelor's in Cybersecurity SANS Technology InstituteNorth Bethesda, MD · Private for-profit | Online | $20,250 | — | $129,180 | 72.8 |
| #31 | Bachelor's in Cybersecurity Platt College-Los AngelesAlhambra, CA · Private for-profit | Online | $14,847 | 63% | $129,180 | 72.2 |
| #32 | Bachelor's in Cybersecurity Regis UniversityDenver, CO · Private nonprofit | Online | $23,700 | 61% | $129,180 | 71.9 |
| #33 | Bachelor's in Cybersecurity Columbia Southern UniversityOrange Beach, AL · Private for-profit | Online | $5,944 | 33% | $129,180 | 71.9 |
| #34 | Bachelor's in Cybersecurity Northwest Missouri State UniversityMaryville, MO · Public | Online | $6,713 | 54% | $129,180 | 71.8 |
| #35 | Bachelor's in Cybersecurity McKendree UniversityLebanon, IL · Private nonprofit | Online | $33,310 | 53% | $129,180 | 71.7 |
| #36 | Bachelor's in Cybersecurity University of Illinois SpringfieldSpringfield, IL · Public | Online | $9,950 | 53% | $129,180 | 70.9 |
| #37 | Bachelor's in Cybersecurity University of Phoenix-ArizonaPhoenix, AZ · Private for-profit | Online | $9,552 | 21% | $129,180 | 70.3 |
| #38 | Bachelor's in Cybersecurity Mercy UniversityDobbs Ferry, NY · Private nonprofit | Online | $21,980 | 46% | $129,180 | 70.1 |
| #39 | Bachelor's in Cybersecurity Bellevue UniversityBellevue, NE · Private nonprofit | Online | $12,123 | 33% | $129,180 | 69.9 |
| #40 | Bachelor's in Cybersecurity University of Arkansas GranthamLIttle Rock, AR · Public | Online | $7,320 | 43% | $129,180 | 69.1 |
| #41 | Bachelor's in Cybersecurity Davenport UniversityGrand Rapids, MI · Private nonprofit | Online | $23,376 | 57% | $129,180 | 69.0 |
| #42 | Bachelor's in Cybersecurity Capella UniversityMinneapolis, MN · Private for-profit | Online | $14,400 | 20% | $129,180 | 68.9 |
| #43 | Bachelor's in Cybersecurity Ashford UniversitySan Diego, CA · Private for-profit | Online | $11,040 | 11% | $129,180 | 68.5 |
| #44 | Bachelor's in Cybersecurity Saint Cloud State UniversitySaint Cloud, MN · Public | Online | $8,811 | 40% | $129,180 | 68.1 |
| #45 | Bachelor's in Cybersecurity Wilmington UniversityNew Castle, DE · Private nonprofit | Online | $12,570 | 20% | $129,180 | 67.8 |
| #46 | Bachelor's in Cybersecurity Troy UniversityTroy, AL · Public | Online | $10,176 | 50% | $129,180 | 67.6 |
| #47 | Bachelor's in Cybersecurity Wayland Baptist UniversityPlainview, TX · Private nonprofit | Online | $22,054 | 19% | $91,315 | 67.4 |
| #48 | Bachelor's in Cybersecurity Bluefield UniversityBluefield, VA · Private nonprofit | Online | $24,950 | 18% | $129,180 | 67.2 |
| #49 | Bachelor's in Cybersecurity Rasmussen University-FloridaOcala, FL · Private for-profit | Online | $14,024 | 42% | $129,180 | 66.9 |
| #50 | Bachelor's in Cybersecurity Southern New Hampshire UniversityManchester, NH · Private nonprofit | Online | $16,200 | 43% | $129,180 | 66.9 |
Showing all 50 ranked programs.
Oversee cybersecurity programs, manage security teams, and develop organizational security policies.
Conduct authorized attacks on systems to identify vulnerabilities and assess security posture.
Design secure network and system architectures, develop security standards and frameworks.
Recover and analyze digital evidence from computers, networks, and mobile devices for legal proceedings.
Lead response efforts during security incidents, coordinate containment and recovery activities.
Ensure organizational adherence to cybersecurity regulations and industry standards.
Secure cloud infrastructure and applications, implement cloud-native security tools and practices.
Online cybersecurity programs show significant cost variation, with annual tuition ranging from $7,128 at Thomas Edison State University to $59,870 at George Washington University. Public institutions offer substantial savings, with median in-state tuition of $14,450 compared to $31,200 at private institutions (IPEDS 2024).
Federal financial aid eligibility applies to accredited online programs, with many students qualifying for Pell Grants that don't require repayment. Veterans can use GI Bill benefits for online cybersecurity degrees, while employers increasingly offer tuition reimbursement for cybersecurity education given the critical skills shortage.
Based on 742 programs from IPEDS 2024
Ranking 50 online cybersecurity programs by graduation rate, selectivity, outcomes, and price, Syracuse University's Bachelor's in Cybersecurity comes out first. The Hakia Score is computed from IPEDS 2024 and BLS data with no paid placement. All 50 can be completed fully online.
Number of graduates per year in this specific field (CIP code). Larger programs indicate established departments with more resources, course offerings, and career services. Measured from IPEDS Completions data.
Percentage of students completing their degree within 150% of expected time (6 years for bachelor's, 3 years for associate's). Higher rates indicate better student support and program quality. Source: IPEDS Graduation Rates survey.
Admission rate (lower = more selective). More selective institutions have stronger academic environments and more competitive graduates. For open-admission institutions, we use graduation rates as a proxy for quality.
National salary data for cybersecurity graduates, factored into institutional scores based on job market strength.
Overall quality using all four factors weighted as shown above. Ideal for students seeking the strongest academic experience.
Same methodology, filtered to schools with fully online or hybrid options (IPEDS Distance Education data). Some schools may have lower graduation rates due to different student demographics.
Ranked primarily by net cost (tuition minus average institutional aid), with quality factors as tiebreakers. Best for cost-conscious students.
Official registry of NSA/DHS designated cybersecurity programs with designation types and renewal dates
Institutional characteristics, graduation rates, tuition data, and enrollment statistics from National Center for Education Statistics
Occupational employment and wage statistics for cybersecurity professionals (SOC 15-1212)
Job growth projections and annual opening estimates for information security analysts
Online cybersecurity degree programs are a critical pathway for professionals entering the rapidly growing field of information security. With 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity positions globally and job growth projected at 32% through 2032 (BLS Employment Projections 2022-2032), earning an accredited online degree provides the flexibility working professionals need while maintaining rigorous academic standards.
The most prestigious online cybersecurity programs hold NSA/DHS Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) designations, which recognize institutions meeting strict curriculum standards in information assurance and cyber defense (NSA CAE Program). Programs like University of Maryland Global Campus and Penn State World Campus offer the same rigorous curriculum as their on-campus counterparts, with additional benefits like asynchronous learning, industry partnerships, and integrated certification preparation.
Students considering online cybersecurity programs should prioritize NSA designation, ABET accreditation where applicable, hands-on lab access, and strong career services. Top programs integrate industry certifications like CompTIA Security+ and CISSP preparation into their curriculum, ensuring graduates meet industry standards from day one.
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.