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Key Takeaways
8 cybersecurity programs from 7 public and 1 private institutions
2 schools physically in Denver, plus 6 within 50 miles. Tuition ranges from $2,928 (Aims Community College) to $58,032 (University of Denver).
Median cybersecurity salary: $132,000, 6% above the national median
Security engineers earn up to $142,560, while cybersecurity managers command $191,400 in the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood. Source: BLS OEWS Denver-Aurora-Lakewood MSA, May 2024.
An estimated 1,850 open cybersecurity positions in the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood
Colorado has 19,603 total cybersecurity openings, 9% concentrated in the Denver metro. Nationally, 26% of cybersecurity roles remain unfilled.
3 NSA Center of Academic Excellence designated schools
Colorado School of Mines, University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Denver 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 Denver, Colorado Cybersecurity programs
We rank 14 accredited cybersecurity programs in Denver, Colorado 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 Denver, Colorado
Compare the top-ranked Cybersecurity programs in Denver, Colorado by degree level. Tuition, graduation rate, and Hakia Score for every accredited program.
Best Associate's Cybersecurity Programs in Denver, Colorado
Hakia ranks 4 accredited associate's cybersecurity programs within 50 miles of Denver, 4 public institutions. The nearest programs are within 9 miles. The top-ranked programs include Arapahoe Community College, Front Range Community College, Aims Community College. Tuition for associate's programs ranges from $2,928 to $3,940 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 Denver-area schools can expect starting salaries in the range of $85,800 to $102,960 in the local market, with roles such as SOC analyst, IT security technician, or network security associate. The Denver metro area has an estimated 1,850 open cybersecurity positions, and the BLS projects +33% job growth through 2033.
Show all 8 ranked programs
| Rank | School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #6 | Pueblo Community College | Pueblo, CO | Public | $4,058 | 31% | 67.8 |
| #7 | Colorado Northwestern Community College | Rangely, CO | Public | $4,058 | 34% | 66.5 |
| #8 | Community College of Denver | Denver, CO | Public | $4,058 | 20% | 60.8 |
Best Bachelor's Cybersecurity Programs in Denver, Colorado
Hakia ranks 3 accredited bachelor's cybersecurity programs within 50 miles of Denver, 3 public institutions. 1 is physically located in Denver, with the rest accessible via short commutes. The top-ranked programs include University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado School of Mines, University of Colorado Denver/Anschut.. Annual tuition ranges from $9,096 to $18,390 (average: $13,799). 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 87%. Graduates with a bachelor's degree in cybersecurity from Denver-area schools can expect starting salaries in the range of $116,160 to $125,400 in the local market, with roles such as security analyst, penetration tester, or incident response specialist. The Denver metro area has an estimated 1,850 open cybersecurity positions, and the BLS projects +33% job growth through 2033. Colorado School of Mines and University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus hold 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.
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs
Show all 6 ranked programs
| Rank | School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #6 | Metropolitan State University of Denver | Denver, CO | Public | $9,135 | 32% | 61.3 |
Best Master's Cybersecurity Programs in Denver, Colorado
Hakia ranks 4 accredited master's cybersecurity programs within 50 miles of Denver, 3 public and 1 private institutions. 2 are physically located in Denver, with the rest accessible via short commutes. The top-ranked programs include University of Colorado Boulder, University of Colorado Denver/Anschut., Colorado School of Mines. Graduate tuition ranges from $9,096 to $58,032 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: 87%. Graduates with a master's degree in cybersecurity from Denver-area schools can expect starting salaries in the range of $142,560 to $161,040 in the local market, with roles such as security engineer, security architect, or cybersecurity consultant. The Denver metro area has an estimated 1,850 open cybersecurity positions, and the BLS projects +33% job growth through 2033. Colorado School of Mines and University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus and University of Denver hold 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.
Colorado Christian University
Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Best Doctoral Cybersecurity Programs in Denver, Colorado
Hakia ranks 3 accredited doctoral cybersecurity programs within 50 miles of Denver, 3 public institutions. 1 is physically located in Denver, with the rest accessible via short commutes. The top-ranked programs include University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado School of Mines, University of Colorado Denver/Anschut.. Doctoral program tuition ranges from $9,096 to $18,390 per year, though many programs offer research assistantships, teaching fellowships, or full-tuition waivers. Ph.D. programs in cybersecurity take 4-6 years and focus on original research in areas like cryptography, AI-driven threat detection, or privacy engineering. Graduates with a doctoral degree in cybersecurity from Denver-area schools can expect starting salaries in the range of $161,040 to $191,400 in the local market, with roles such as chief information security officer, research scientist, or university professor. The Denver metro area has an estimated 1,850 open cybersecurity positions, and the BLS projects +33% job growth through 2033. Colorado School of Mines and University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus hold 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.
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Why Study Cybersecurity in Denver, Colorado
Denver is home to a growing cybersecurity education ecosystem with 8 accredited programs across 4 associate's, 3 bachelor's, 4 master's, 3 doctoral degree levels within 50 miles. 2 of these institutions are physically located in Denver, with the remaining schools accessible via short commutes from surrounding communities in the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood.
3 schools near Denver hold NSA Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) designation: Colorado School of Mines, University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Denver. 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 Denver-Aurora-Lakewood cybersecurity job market is substantial, with an estimated 1,850 open positions and a median salary of $132,000 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 Denver, this translates to strong local hiring prospects upon graduation.
Among the top-ranked programs, University of Colorado Boulder (86.9% graduation rate) leads the bachelor's rankings. See our complete rankings below for detailed program comparisons across all degree levels.
Median Cybersecurity Salary in Denver
Cybersecurity Salaries by Role: Denver vs. National Average
| Role | Denver Metro | National Median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Security Analyst | $116,160 | $109,921 | +6% |
| Penetration Tester | $125,400 | $118,665 | +6% |
| Security Engineer | $142,560 | $134,903 | +6% |
| Security Architect | $161,040 | $152,390 | +6% |
| Cybersecurity Manager / CISO | $191,400 | $181,120 | +6% |
Source: BLS OEWS Denver-Aurora-Lakewood MSA, May 2024. Role estimates derived from BLS SOC 15-1212 median.
Cybersecurity Salaries in Denver: What to Expect by Role
Cybersecurity professionals in the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood earn a median salary of $132,000, which is 6% above the national median of $124,910 (BLS OEWS May 2024, SOC 15-1212: Information Security Analysts). This positions Denver as one of the highest-paying metro areas for cybersecurity talent in the country.
Entry-level security analysts in Denver can expect starting salaries around $116,160, 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 $125,400. Senior technical roles like security engineers command $142,560, while security architects who design enterprise defense systems earn up to $161,040.
At the management level, cybersecurity managers and CISOs in the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood can earn $191,400 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 Denver. 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 Denver
The Denver cybersecurity job market spans 5 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:
Defense
Lockheed Martin. Major defense contractor with significant Colorado operations and classified security requirements.
Technology
Amazon. Regional AWS operations and data center security in the Denver metro area.
Healthcare
UCHealth. Health system managing patient data protection across Colorado medical facilities.
Government
University of Colorado. Major research institution with cybersecurity programs and information security operations.
Energy
Ball Corporation. Industrial manufacturing company managing operational technology and supply chain security.
These employers represent a cross-section of the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood area's cybersecurity hiring market. Many maintain partnerships with local universities for internships, co-ops, and direct hiring pipelines, making a degree from a Denver-area school particularly valuable for breaking into the field.
Notable Cyber Incidents Affecting Denver Organizations
Notable Cyber Incidents in the Denver Area
Cyber threats aren't abstract risks for Denver, they have directly impacted local organizations, showing the urgent need for trained cybersecurity professionals in the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood:
Colorado Department of Transportation (2023), data breach. Contractor information and project details exposed affecting state infrastructure planning.
UCHealth (2024), ransomware. Healthcare provider experienced service disruptions impacting patient appointment systems.
These incidents represent just a fraction of the cyber threats facing Denver-area organizations. According to CyberSeek data, the Denver metro area has an estimated 1,850 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 Denver directly translate to preventing and responding to threats that affect their own community.
Cybersecurity Programs Accessible from Nearby Communities
If you live in a community near Denver, you can access the same cybersecurity programs without relocating. The greater Denver area is well-connected, and many students commute from surrounding cities to attend programs locally. Here's how Denver's cybersecurity schools are accessible from nearby areas:
- Lakewood → University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus (14 mi), University of Denver (8 mi)
- Aurora (also has 1 local program) → University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus (3 mi), University of Denver (8 mi)
All of these schools are within commuting distance, and many offer evening, weekend, or hybrid class schedules designed for students who travel from outside Denver. Several programs also offer fully online options, see our rankings with online filter above.
Cybersecurity Job Market in the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood
The cybersecurity job market in the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood reflects a broader national talent crisis. Colorado has approximately 19,603 open cybersecurity positions (CyberSeek, January 2026), with an estimated 1,850 concentrated in the Denver 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 Denver 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 Colorado, the combination of a large technology sector, defense contracting, and growing digital transformation across industries is driving sustained demand for cybersecurity talent.
Most in-demand certifications that complement a cybersecurity degree from Denver 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 Denver 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 Colorado Cybersecurity Rankings.
Cybersecurity Degree Costs in Denver
Cybersecurity degree programs near Denver range from $2,928/year at Aims Community College to $58,032/year at University of Denver. Public institutions average $7,994/year (in-state), while private schools average $58,032/year.
Return on investment is compelling: with a median cybersecurity salary of $132,000 in the Denver area versus a high school diploma median of $42,000 (BLS 2024), a four-year bachelor's degree at a typical tuition rate (approximately $99,428 total) can be recouped in roughly 1.1 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 $5,856 provides foundational credentials for entry-level SOC analyst or IT security roles paying $99,000+.
Ways to reduce costs: Federal financial aid (FAFSA), Colorado 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 Denver area also offer tuition reimbursement for employees pursuing cybersecurity degrees, check with local employers listed in our employer section above.
Cybersecurity Degree Programs in Denver: Frequently Asked Questions
How many cybersecurity degree programs are available in Denver, Colorado?
What's the average cybersecurity salary in Denver?
How many cybersecurity jobs are available in Denver?
Which Denver schools have NSA Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) designation?
Can I earn a cybersecurity degree online from Denver 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. Colorado: 19,603 openings. National: 514,359 openings, 26% vacancy rate.
National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity program designations. 3 designated schools near Denver.
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.