Best Value Cybersecurity Degree Programs 2026

Best Cybersecurity Programs - Top 10 Best Value — Complete Program Data

1. #1. Florida State College at Jacksonville Cybersecurity Program

   Hakia ranks Florida State College at Jacksonville as the #1 in cybersecurity degree program. Location: Jacksonville, FL | Type: Public | Tuition: $2,095/year | Graduation Rate: 89% | Score: 100.0

   What makes Florida State College at Jacksonville stand out: Students with specific current industry-recognized certifications such as CompTIA's A+, Security+, Microsoft and Cisco may receive credit for the associated college credit course, and the program includes practical exercises in a virtual lab environment for hands-on skills development.

   Program Overview: The Associate in Science in IT Security is a hands-on degree program for individuals interested in beginning or advancing a career in computer/network security. The program focuses on digital forensics, intrusion detection, penetration testing, scripting and networking, providing students the skills needed to investigate computer, cyber and electronic crimes.

   Degree Programs: AS (2 years)

   Career Outcomes: | Common Roles: cybersecurity analyst, cybersecurity engineer, penetration tester, vulnerability analyst, digital forensics analyst, cybercrime investigator

   Notable Faculty: Dr. Brian Dopson (Interim Dean of IT); Dr. Ahmed Al Zaidy (IT Security); Dr. James Huskins (IT Security); Dr. Cecile Washington (IT Security)

   Admissions:

   Accreditations: SACSCOC, CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Security+, CompTIA CySA+, Certified Ethical Hacking, CompTIA Pentest+

2. #2. St Petersburg College Cybersecurity Program

   Hakia ranks St Petersburg College as the #2 in cybersecurity degree program. Location: St. Petersburg, FL | Type: Public | Tuition: $1,943/year | Score: 98.5

   What makes St Petersburg College stand out: St. Petersburg College's cybersecurity program stands out for its exceptional associate degree program ranked #4 nationally and its strong focus on hands-on learning in advanced lab environments that mirror real-world cybersecurity operations.

   Hakia Insight: Students at St Petersburg College benefit from active collaborations with KnowBe4 and Raymond James, connecting classroom learning to the workforce.

   Program Overview: St. Petersburg College offers comprehensive cybersecurity education through both associate and bachelor's degree programs, with particularly strong performance in their associate-level program which ranks #4 nationally. The college emphasizes hands-on learning through state-of-the-art labs and real-world simulations, preparing students for immediate entry into the cybersecurity workforce or for transfer to four-year institutions. Their programs are designed to address the growing demand for cybersecurity professionals in the Tampa Bay region and beyond. The cybersecurity curriculum at SPC integrates theoretical knowledge with practical application, covering essential areas such as network security, digital forensics, ethical hacking, and risk management. Students benefit from small class sizes, personalized attention from experienced faculty, and strong connections with local industry partners. The college's location in the Tampa Bay area provides excellent opportunities for internships and employment with numerous technology companies and government agencies in the region.

   Degree Programs: Associate in Science (A.S.) (2 years); Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) (4 years total (120 credits))

   Research Labs: Cybersecurity Operations Center - Network monitoring and incident response; Digital Forensics Lab - Computer and mobile device forensics

   Industry Partners: KnowBe4, Raymond James, Tech Data, Honeywell, Citigroup, Bayside Solutions, Vology, TirOrg Solutions, City of St. Petersburg, City of Largo

   Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: Information not readily available | Top Employers: Local government agencies, Healthcare systems, Technology companies

   Notable Faculty: John Long (Associate Dean, College of Computer Info and Tech); Dr. Mark McKinney (Dean, College of Computer and Info Tech)

   Admissions: GPA: 2.0 minimum for admission | Acceptance Rate: Open admission policy

   Accreditations: National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE2Y), CompTIA Security+, CompTIA A+, Cisco CCNA Cyber Operations, EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker

3. #3. Pensacola State College Cybersecurity Program

   Hakia ranks Pensacola State College as the #3 in cybersecurity degree program. Location: Pensacola, FL | Type: Public | Tuition: $1,871/year | Score: 98.2

   Program Overview: Pensacola State's cybersecurity program taps into the region's military and defense presence—Naval Air Station Pensacola and military contractors create steady demand for security-cleared IT professionals. Your curriculum emphasizes both technical skills and the compliance frameworks that government and defense work requires. Many students earn security clearances through internships and move directly into federal contractor roles or military IT positions. The college also maintains strong transfer partnerships with FSU and UF for those pursuing four-year degrees.

   Degree Programs: Bachelors in Cybersecurity

   Career Outcomes:

   Admissions:

   Accreditations: National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense

4. #4. Miami Dade College Cybersecurity Program

   Hakia ranks Miami Dade College as the #4 in cybersecurity degree program. Location: Miami, FL | Type: Public | Tuition: $1,987/year | Score: 93.0

   Hakia Insight: Miami Dade College leverages partnerships with IBM and Cisco to offer students real-world project experience valued by employers.

   Program Overview: Miami Dade College's cybersecurity program emphasizes practical, hands-on training designed for students entering the workforce quickly. The curriculum balances foundational IT knowledge with specialized security certifications, preparing graduates for entry-level positions in network defense, system administration, and security operations. Students gain experience with industry-standard tools and platforms while pursuing CompTIA Security+, CEH, and other widely recognized credentials that employers actively seek. The program leverages Miami's position as a major business and financial hub, connecting students with local organizations across banking, healthcare, and government sectors that face real cybersecurity challenges. Faculty bring practical experience from IT and security roles, translating current threats and defensive strategies into classroom instruction. The college's focus on career pathways means the program structure accommodates working students and provides clear progression toward four-year degree completion at partner institutions. Internship and practicum opportunities with regional employers give students portfolio-building experience before graduation. For students seeking an accessible entry point into cybersecurity without lengthy prerequisite sequences, Miami Dade's program delivers focused technical skills and certification preparation that directly support job placement in a competitive field.

   Degree Programs: Associate in Science - Cybersecurity Technology (2 years)

   Research Labs: Cybersecurity Training Lab - penetration testing and digital forensics; Network Security Lab - firewall configuration and intrusion detection

   Industry Partners: IBM, Cisco, CompTIA

   Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Miami-Dade County, Baptist Health, Carnival Corporation, FPL | Common Roles: Security Analyst, IT Support Specialist, Network Technician

   Admissions:

   Accreditations: CompTIA Security+, CompTIA Network+, Cisco CCNA Security

5. #5. Dalton State College Cybersecurity Program

   Hakia ranks Dalton State College as the #5 in cybersecurity degree program. Location: Dalton, GA | Type: Public | Tuition: $2,563/year | Graduation Rate: 98% | Score: 72.4

   Program Overview: A four-year institution disguised as a community college—Dalton State offers a cybersecurity program with an unusual advantage: you can earn an associate and continue seamlessly toward a bachelor's degree without transferring. The program balances foundational security certifications with applied networking and systems administration, particularly relevant to the region's carpet manufacturing and textile operations that increasingly face ransomware threats. Your instructors include industry practitioners, and internship placements within the supply chain and manufacturing sectors are actively cultivated. If you're undecided between stopping at two years or continuing to four, Dalton's structure removes the guessing game.

   Degree Programs: AS in Cybersecurity (2 years); BS in Cybersecurity (pathway available) (4 years total)

   Career Outcomes:

   Admissions:

6. #6. Palm Beach State College Cybersecurity Program

   Hakia ranks Palm Beach State College as the #6 in cybersecurity degree program. Location: Lake Worth, FL | Type: Public | Tuition: $3,030/year | Graduation Rate: 90% | Score: 70.1

   What makes Palm Beach State College stand out: Palm Beach State College uniquely combines top-ranked programs at both associate and bachelor's levels with affordable community college tuition, making high-quality cybersecurity education accessible to a diverse student population.

   Hakia Insight: Palm Beach State College's industry network — including Local South Florida businesses and Government agencies — provides students with internship and hiring pathways.

   Program Overview: Palm Beach State College in Lake Worth, Florida offers a comprehensive cybersecurity education pathway through both associate and bachelor's degree programs. The college has established itself as a leader in cybersecurity education in South Florida, with their associate degree program ranking #5 nationally and their bachelor's program ranking #4, demonstrating exceptional quality across both levels of instruction. The cybersecurity programs at Palm Beach State are designed to meet the growing demand for cybersecurity professionals in the region, particularly given Florida's expanding technology sector and the presence of numerous financial institutions and government agencies. The programs emphasize hands-on learning, industry certifications, and practical skills development to ensure graduates are job-ready upon completion.

   Degree Programs: AS (2 years); BAS (2 years)

   Research Labs: Cybersecurity Operations Center - Network security monitoring and incident response training

   Industry Partners: Local South Florida businesses, Government agencies

   Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: Information not readily available | Top Employers: Local government agencies, Financial institutions, Healthcare systems

   Notable Faculty: Dr. Dwight Elliott (cybersecurity); Dr. Theo Owusu (cybersecurity program coordination)

   Admissions: GPA: 2.0 minimum for community college admission | Acceptance Rate: Open admission policy

   Accreditations: SACSCOC accredited, Programs aligned with industry certification requirements

7. #7. Whatcom Community College Cybersecurity Program

   Hakia ranks Whatcom Community College as the #7 in cybersecurity degree program. Location: Bellingham, WA | Type: Public | Tuition: $3,633/year | Graduation Rate: 78% | Score: 64.0

   What makes Whatcom Community College stand out: WCC is home to the National Science Foundation-designated Advanced Technological Education (ATE) Center for Cybersecurity Education (NCyTE), receiving $7.5 million in NSF funding to help colleges train cybersecurity faculty and adopt leading-edge curriculum for fast-tracking students into cybersecurity careers.

   Hakia Insight: Students at Whatcom Community College benefit from active collaborations with Anvil Corporation and SPIE, connecting classroom learning to the workforce.

   Program Overview: Whatcom Community College offers an Associate in Applied Science Transfer (AAS-T) in Cybersecurity that serves as a pathway to Western Washington University's BS in Cybersecurity program. The college is home to the National Center for Cybersecurity Training and Education (NCyTE), a nationally recognized program funded by the National Science Foundation.

   Degree Programs: Associate in Applied Science Transfer (AAS-T) in Cybersecurity (2 years)

   Research Labs: Cybersecurity lab - cyberattack defense projects and demonstrations

   Industry Partners: Anvil Corporation, SPIE, ESO

   Career Outcomes:

   Notable Faculty: Corrinne Sande (Director/PI for the NCyTE Center, Computer Science and CIS)

   Admissions:

8. #8. Green River College Cybersecurity Program

   Hakia ranks Green River College as the #8 in cybersecurity degree program. Location: Auburn, WA | Type: Public | Tuition: $4,074/year | Graduation Rate: 99% | Score: 61.9

   What makes Green River College stand out: Program provides balanced, well-rounded knowledge combining technical cybersecurity skills with key interpersonal communication skills sought by employers, plus preparation for multiple industry certifications including CompTIA Security+, Cisco, and CompTIA Cloud+.

   Hakia Insight: Green River College graduates earn $136,442, driven by the program's industry connections and hands-on cybersecurity curriculum.

   Program Overview: Green River College's Cybersecurity and Networking program teaches students how to protect computers, stop hackers, and set up strong networks with hands-on skills in high demand by businesses, schools, and government. Students receive foundational training in networking, systems administration, and scripting, resulting in balanced knowledge of information technology and cybersecurity.

   Degree Programs: BAS (180 credits); AAS-T (92 credits (18 months))

   Career Outcomes: | Common Roles: Information Security Analyst, Network Administrator, Computer Systems Administrator, Computer Support Specialist, Help Desk Technician, Technical Support Specialist, Network Technician

   Notable Faculty: Katie Markham (BAS Program Manager); Niki Nelson (AAS-T Program Manager); Alan Carter (IT Faculty)

   Admissions:

9. #9. Highline College Cybersecurity Program

   Hakia ranks Highline College as the #9 in cybersecurity degree program. Location: Des Moines, WA | Type: Public | Tuition: $3,633/year | Score: 59.3

   What makes Highline College stand out: Highline College combines community college affordability with Seattle-area tech industry proximity and strong four-year university transfer pathways.

   Hakia Insight: Highline College's industry network — including Amazon and Microsoft — provides students with internship and hiring pathways.

   Program Overview: Highline College's cybersecurity program leverages its location in the Seattle metropolitan area to create a distinctive bridge between community college accessibility and proximity to major tech companies and government agencies. The curriculum is deliberately structured around CompTIA certifications and vendor-neutral foundations while incorporating exposure to enterprise environments through guest speakers and field experience. Students gain practical experience with network monitoring, intrusion detection, and access control systems in dedicated lab environments equipped with current security tools. The college's strong transfer agreements with four-year institutions including University of Washington and Washington State University provide a clear academic pathway for students who begin with an associate degree before pursuing a bachelor's. Highline's faculty bring recent industry experience—many hold active security certifications and work in or have recently worked in Pacific Northwest tech and aerospace sectors. The college actively cultivates connections with major employers in the region, including Amazon, Microsoft, and Boeing satellite operations, creating internship and job placement opportunities that elevate graduate outcomes beyond typical community college programs.

   Degree Programs: Associate Degree in Cybersecurity (2 years); Transfer pathway to BS in Cybersecurity (2 additional years)

   Industry Partners: Amazon, Microsoft, Boeing

   Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Amazon, Microsoft, T-Mobile, F5 Networks | Common Roles: Security Operations Analyst, Junior Security Administrator, Network Security Technician

   Admissions:

   Accreditations: CompTIA Security+ pathway

10. #10. Tacoma Community College Cybersecurity Program

    Hakia ranks Tacoma Community College as the #10 in cybersecurity degree program. Location: Tacoma, WA | Type: Public | Tuition: $4,477/year | Graduation Rate: 87% | Score: 53.0

    What makes Tacoma Community College stand out: This degree was created as a pathway for students to become well-rounded, soft-skilled enabled IT professionals with ethics as its cornerstone, developing not only technical expertise but also ability to work as a team and communicate effectively and professionally.

    Hakia Insight: Tacoma Community College's direct partnerships with Microsoft and CompTIA give students a competitive edge through industry-embedded projects and recruiting pipelines.

    Program Overview: TCC's Information Systems program provides technical skills and knowledge for students who plan to enter the field of information security. The program serves a fast-growing industry that focuses on technical skills, database administration, and networking and cybersecurity.

    Degree Programs: Bachelor of Applied Science in Advanced Networking & Data Security (4 years); Associate in Applied Science in Networking & Cybersecurity (2 years); Technical Support Certificate (6 months); Help Desk Certificate (3 months)

    Industry Partners: Microsoft, CompTIA, Cisco, Dell/EMC

    Career Outcomes: | Common Roles: Information Security Engineer, Database Administrator, Technical Support, Network Administrator

    Admissions:

    Accreditations: CompTIA Security+, CompTIA Cloud+, CompTIA CySA+, Cisco CCNA, CompTIA A+, CompTIA Linux+