Top 3 Cybersecurity Programs in Georgia 2025
University of North Georgia
83 Cybersecurity graduates annually, 100% graduation rate
Georgia College & State University
62 Cybersecurity graduates annually, 79% graduation rate
Kennesaw State University
45 Cybersecurity graduates annually, 66% graduation rate
- 1.Georgia has 15+ accredited cybersecurity bachelor's programs with 4 NSA/DHS designated Centers of Excellence
- 2.Georgia Tech ranks #1 in the state with 90% graduation rate and world-renowned cybersecurity research
- 3.Georgia offers exceptional value with most programs under $13,000 annual in-state tuition
- 4.Georgia cybersecurity analysts earn median $98,350 annually—6% above national median (BLS Georgia 2024)
- 5.Atlanta serves as the Southeast's cybersecurity hub with major employers like CDC, Delta, Home Depot, and Coca-Cola
Cybersecurity Education Landscape in Georgia
Georgia has established itself as a major cybersecurity education hub in the Southeast, with programs ranging from prestigious Georgia Tech to affordable regional universities. The state's combination of strong academic programs, industry partnerships, and growing tech sector in Atlanta creates an ideal environment for cybersecurity students.
For comparison with programs nationwide, see our national cybersecurity bachelor's rankings. Students concerned about costs should review our most affordable cybersecurity programs guide. Career-focused students can explore our cybersecurity analyst salary guide for Georgia-specific compensation data and job market insights.
Georgia's cybersecurity programs benefit from proximity to major corporations like Delta Airlines, Coca-Cola, Home Depot, and the Centers for Disease Control, all of which have significant cybersecurity needs and offer internship and career opportunities for graduates.
Georgia Cybersecurity Program Rankings 2025
| Rank | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of North Georgia | Dahlonega, GA | Public | $4,230 | 100% | — | — | 67.2 |
| 2 | Georgia College & State University | Milledgeville, GA | Public | $7,508 | 79% | — | — | 64.6 |
| 3 | Kennesaw State University | Kennesaw, GA | Public | $4,450 | 66% | — | — | 60.8 |
| 4 | Augusta University | Augusta, GA | Public | $6,892 | 73% | — | — | 60.5 |
| 5 | Dalton State College | Dalton, GA | Public | $2,563 | 98% | — | — | 52.5 |
| 6 | Mercer University | Macon, GA | Private | $33,080 | 88% | — | — | 52 |
| 7 | Herzing University-Atlanta | Atlanta, GA | Private | $12,360 | 86% | — | — | 44.4 |
| 8 | Point University | West Point, GA | Private | $21,150 | — | — | — | 39.7 |
| 9 | Columbus State University | Columbus, GA | Public | $4,371 | 93% | — | — | 38.8 |
Top 5 Cybersecurity Programs in Georgia: Side-by-Side
| School | Georgia Institute of... | U of North Georgia | Dalton State College | Georgia College & State | U of Georgia |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 |
| In-State Tuition | $10,258 | $4,230 | $2,563 | $7,508 | $9,790 |
| Graduation Rate | 76% | 100% | 98% | 79% | 95% |
| Annual Graduates | 285 | 83 | 14 | 62 | 1 |
| Acceptance Rate | 16% | 72% | N/A | 88% | 37% |
| Type | Public | Public | Public | Public | Public |
| Score | 89.8/100 | 67.4/100 | 56.9/100 | 56.0/100 | 53.1/100 |
Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Cybersecurity in Georgia
Georgia offers 9 bachelor's-level cybersecurity programs. The top schools for undergraduate study are University of North Georgia, Georgia College & State University, Augusta University. These programs prepare students for entry-level positions paying approximately $75,215 in the Georgia 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 Georgia
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 U of North Georgia | $4,230 | 100% | 83 | 67.4 |
| #2 Georgia College & State | $7,508 | 79% | 62 | 56.0 |
| #3 Augusta | $6,892 | 73% | 52 | 52.7 |
Top Cybersecurity Schools for Master's Degrees in Georgia
For graduate study, Georgia offers 6 master's-level cybersecurity programs. Leading institutions include Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus, University of Georgia, Savannah College of Art and Design. A master's degree can boost earning potential by 15-25%, with senior roles in Georgia reaching $139,685 or more.
Top 3 Cybersecurity Master's Programs in Georgia
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Georgia Institute of... | $10,258 | 76% | 285 | 89.8 |
| #2 U of Georgia | $9,790 | 95% | 1 | 53.1 |
| #3 Savannah College of Art... | $40,095 | 64% | 56 | 51.9 |
Most Affordable Cybersecurity Colleges in Georgia
For budget-conscious students, the most affordable cybersecurity programs in Georgia are at Dalton State College ($2,563/year), University of North Georgia ($4,230/year), Columbus State University ($4,371/year). These programs offer strong ROI given Georgia's competitive tech salaries.
At Dalton State College, a 4-year degree costs approximately $10,252 in tuition alone. With entry-level salaries around $75,215, graduates can typically recoup their investment within 0.3 years.
Most Affordable Cybersecurity Programs in Georgia (with ROI)
| School | Annual Tuition | 4-Year Cost | Payback Period | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Dalton State College | $2,563 | $10,252 | 0.3 years | Public |
| #2 U of North Georgia | $4,230 | $16,920 | 0.4 years | Public |
| #3 Columbus State | $4,371 | $17,484 | 0.4 years | Public |
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Atlanta, GA • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $10,258 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 76% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Cybersecurity Graduates: 285 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 16%
- • Ranking Score: 89.8 / 100
Program Strengths
- 76% graduation rate
- 285 cybersecurity graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 89.8 / 100
Why Ranked #1
Ranked #1 based on graduation rate (76%), program size (285 graduates), state salary outcomes ($107,450), and selectivity (16% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
University of North Georgia
Dahlonega, GA • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $4,230 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 100% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Cybersecurity Graduates: 83 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 72%
- • Ranking Score: 67.4 / 100
Program Strengths
- 100% graduation rate
- 83 cybersecurity graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 67.4 / 100
Why Ranked #2
Ranked #2 based on graduation rate (100%), program size (83 graduates), state salary outcomes ($107,450), and selectivity (72% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Why Choose This Program
UNG's cybersecurity program is designated as a National Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense by DHS and NSA, designed in alignment with the NIST/NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework, and offers hands-on experience through competition teams practicing for national cybersecurity events.
Program Accreditations & Designations
Admissions
- Min GPA: 3.0 for GPA Only Admission, 2.4 for Admission with Test Scores
Sources
Dalton State College
Dalton, GA • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $2,563 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 98% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Cybersecurity Graduates: 14 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: N/A%
- • Ranking Score: 56.9 / 100
Program Strengths
- 98% graduation rate
- 14 cybersecurity graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 56.9 / 100
Why Ranked #3
Ranked #3 based on graduation rate (98%), program size (14 graduates), state salary outcomes ($107,450), and selectivity (N/A% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Georgia College & State University
Milledgeville, GA • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $7,508 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 79% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Cybersecurity Graduates: 62 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 88%
- • Ranking Score: 56.0 / 100
Program Strengths
- 79% graduation rate
- 62 cybersecurity graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 56.0 / 100
Why Ranked #4
Ranked #4 based on graduation rate (79%), program size (62 graduates), state salary outcomes ($107,450), and selectivity (88% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
University of Georgia
Athens, GA • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $9,790 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 95% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Cybersecurity Graduates: 1 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 37%
- • Ranking Score: 53.1 / 100
Program Strengths
- 95% graduation rate
- 1 cybersecurity graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 53.1 / 100
Why Ranked #5
Ranked #5 based on graduation rate (95%), program size (1 graduates), state salary outcomes ($107,450), and selectivity (37% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Why Choose This Program
UGA offers a comprehensive cybersecurity program with both undergraduate certificates and graduate degrees, featuring specialized tracks in Systems Security and Network Security with hands-on project experience. The Double Dawgs accelerated pathway allows students to complete both BS and MS degrees efficiently.
Admission Prerequisites
- •CSCI 1302 Software Development
- •CSCI 2670 Introduction to Theory of Computing
- •CSCI 2720 Data Structures
- •MATH 2250 Calculus I
Admissions
- Min GPA: 3.0
- Transfer Friendly
Program Details
- Credits: 27-28 credits for MS program
Available Specializations / Concentrations
Career Paths
Cybersecurity Analyst
SOC 15-1212.00Monitor networks, investigate security breaches, and implement security measures for Georgia corporations and government agencies
Information Security Engineer
Design and implement security systems for Atlanta's major corporations including Delta, Coca-Cola, and Home Depot
Penetration Tester
Conduct security assessments and vulnerability testing for Georgia businesses and government entities
Security Consultant
Provide cybersecurity expertise to small and medium businesses throughout Georgia
Incident Response Specialist
Lead cybersecurity incident response for critical infrastructure and healthcare organizations in Georgia
Georgia's University Systems for Cybersecurity
Georgia's cybersecurity education is anchored by the University System of Georgia (USG), which includes flagship institutions like Georgia Tech and UGA alongside regional universities serving specific areas of the state.
The Georgia Institute of Technology leads as the state's premier technical institution, offering world-class cybersecurity research and education. The University of Georgia provides comprehensive cybersecurity programs with strong liberal arts foundations, while regional universities like Georgia Southern and Kennesaw State offer more affordable alternatives with quality instruction.
Students interested in specialized cybersecurity tracks should consider Georgia Tech's focus on cryptography and systems security, UGA's emphasis on cybersecurity policy and management, or Augusta University's healthcare cybersecurity specialization. For those seeking online cybersecurity degrees, several Georgia institutions offer fully online or hybrid programs.
Other Tech Degree Programs in Georgia
Cybersecurity Programs in Other States
California
Texas
Florida
Virginia
North Carolina
New York
Which Should You Choose?
- Access to Atlanta's growing tech and cybersecurity job market
- Affordable in-state tuition with quality education options
- NSA-designated programs with government career pathways
- Proximity to major corporations with cybersecurity needs
- Moderate cost of living compared to other tech hubs
- More extensive cybersecurity program options
- Larger tech ecosystems (California, Texas, New York)
- Specialized cybersecurity research opportunities
- Higher starting salaries (though higher cost of living)
- More diverse cybersecurity specializations
Frequently Asked Questions About Georgia Cybersecurity Programs
Based on 15 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Cybersecurity degree completions indicating program size, faculty, and resources
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023 (4-year institutions weighted higher)
Admission rate from IPEDS 2023 (lower = more selective)
State-specific cybersecurity salaries from BLS OES 2024
Related Cybersecurity Resources
Data Sources and Methodology
Graduation rates, enrollment, and institutional data
Georgia-specific salary and employment data
NSA/DHS cybersecurity program designations
Official enrollment and program information
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.