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Key Takeaways
9 cybersecurity programs from 6 public and 3 private institutions
4 schools physically in Chicago, plus 5 within 50 miles. Tuition ranges from $7,968 (Moraine Valley Community College) to $64,887 (Northwestern University).
Median cybersecurity salary: $125,000, 0% above the national median
Security engineers earn up to $135,000, while cybersecurity managers command $181,250 in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin. Source: BLS OEWS Chicago-Naperville-Elgin MSA, May 2024.
An estimated 1,850 open cybersecurity positions in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin
Illinois has 19,419 total cybersecurity openings, 10% concentrated in the Chicago metro. Nationally, 26% of cybersecurity roles remain unfilled.
2 NSA Center of Academic Excellence designated schools
Moraine Valley Community College, Illinois Institute of Technology 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 Chicago, Illinois Cybersecurity programs
We rank 16 accredited cybersecurity programs in Chicago, Illinois 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 Chicago, Illinois
Compare the top-ranked Cybersecurity programs in Chicago, Illinois by degree level. Tuition, graduation rate, and Hakia Score for every accredited program.
Best Associate's Cybersecurity Programs in Chicago, Illinois
Hakia ranks 5 accredited associate's cybersecurity programs within 50 miles of Chicago, 5 public institutions. 1 is physically located in Chicago, with the rest accessible via short commutes. The top-ranked programs include College of DuPage, Joliet Junior College, Moraine Valley Community College. Tuition for associate's programs ranges from $7,968 to $11,700 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 Chicago-area schools can expect starting salaries in the range of $81,250 to $97,500 in the local market, with roles such as SOC analyst, IT security technician, or network security associate. The Chicago metro area has an estimated 1,850 open cybersecurity positions, and the BLS projects +33% job growth through 2033. Moraine Valley Community College holds 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.
Show all 15 ranked programs
| Rank | School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #6 | Waubonsee Community College | Sugar Grove, IL | Public | $9,192 | 39% | 76.2 |
| #7 | Illinois Valley Community College | Oglesby, IL | Public | $14,897 | 42% | 73.9 |
| #8 | Rock Valley College | Rockford, IL | Public | $6,795 | 37% | 72.4 |
| #9 | Black Hawk College | Moline, IL | Public | $7,950 | 40% | 71.6 |
| #10 | City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College | Chicago, IL | Public | $12,090 | 31% | 68.4 |
| #11 | Joliet Junior College | Joliet, IL | Public | $11,700 | 21% | 67.0 |
| #12 | Morton College | Cicero, IL | Public | $8,256 | 31% | 64.8 |
| #13 | Triton College | River Grove, IL | Public | $11,610 | 29% | 64.8 |
| #14 | City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College | Chicago, IL | Public | $12,090 | 27% | 62.9 |
| #15 | City Colleges of Chicago-Olive-Harvey College | Chicago, IL | Public | $12,090 | 21% | 56.9 |
Best Bachelor's Cybersecurity Programs in Chicago, Illinois
Hakia ranks 3 accredited bachelor's cybersecurity programs within 50 miles of Chicago, 1 public and 2 private institutions. 2 are physically located in Chicago, with the rest accessible via short commutes. The top-ranked programs include Northwestern University, University of Illinois Chicago, Illinois Institute of Technology. Annual tuition ranges from $12,656 to $64,887 (average: $42,383). 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 89%. Graduates with a bachelor's degree in cybersecurity from Chicago-area schools can expect starting salaries in the range of $110,000 to $118,750 in the local market, with roles such as security analyst, penetration tester, or incident response specialist. The Chicago metro area has an estimated 1,850 open cybersecurity positions, and the BLS projects +33% job growth through 2033. Illinois Institute of Technology holds 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.
Illinois Institute of Technology
Show all 16 ranked programs
| Rank | School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #6 | Olivet Nazarene University | Bourbonnais, IL | Private nonprofit | $37,910 | 61% | 78.1 |
| #7 | Elmhurst University | Elmhurst, IL | Private nonprofit | $42,495 | 70% | 77.6 |
| #8 | Illinois State University | Normal, IL | Public | $11,215 | 65% | 77.4 |
| #9 | Western Illinois University | Macomb, IL | Public | $9,662 | 45% | 73.5 |
| #10 | McKendree University | Lebanon, IL | Private nonprofit | $33,310 | 53% | 71.7 |
| #11 | Aurora University | Aurora, IL | Private nonprofit | $28,800 | 60% | 71.4 |
| #12 | University of Illinois Springfield | Springfield, IL | Public | $9,950 | 53% | 70.9 |
| #13 | Millikin University | Decatur, IL | Private nonprofit | $26,000 | 55% | 70.6 |
| #14 | Quincy University | Quincy, IL | Private nonprofit | $37,140 | 45% | 69.7 |
| #15 | Northeastern Illinois University | Chicago, IL | Public | $10,343 | 22% | 67.1 |
| #16 | Roosevelt University | Chicago, IL | Private nonprofit | $21,000 | 35% | 58.3 |
Best Master's Cybersecurity Programs in Chicago, Illinois
Hakia ranks 4 accredited master's cybersecurity programs within 50 miles of Chicago, 1 public and 3 private institutions. 3 are physically located in Chicago, with the rest accessible via short commutes. The top-ranked programs include Northwestern University, University of Chicago, Illinois Institute of Technology. Graduate tuition ranges from $12,656 to $64,887 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: 89%. Graduates with a master's degree in cybersecurity from Chicago-area schools can expect starting salaries in the range of $135,000 to $152,500 in the local market, with roles such as security engineer, security architect, or cybersecurity consultant. The Chicago metro area has an estimated 1,850 open cybersecurity positions, and the BLS projects +33% job growth through 2033. Illinois Institute of Technology holds 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.
Illinois Institute of Technology
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
Show all 8 ranked programs
| Rank | School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #6 | University of Illinois Springfield | Springfield, IL | Public | $9,950 | 53% | 67.4 |
| #7 | Saint Xavier University | Chicago, IL | Private nonprofit | $37,755 | 57% | 66.9 |
| #8 | Roosevelt University | Chicago, IL | Private nonprofit | $21,000 | 35% | 55.7 |
Why Study Cybersecurity in Chicago, Illinois
Chicago is home to a growing cybersecurity education ecosystem with 9 accredited programs across 5 associate's, 3 bachelor's, 4 master's, 4 doctoral degree levels within 50 miles. 4 of these institutions are physically located in Chicago, with the remaining schools accessible via short commutes from surrounding communities in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin.
2 schools near Chicago hold NSA Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) designation: Moraine Valley Community College, Illinois Institute of Technology. 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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin cybersecurity job market is substantial, with an estimated 1,850 open positions and a median salary of $125,000 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 Chicago, this translates to strong local hiring prospects upon graduation.
Among the top-ranked programs, Northwestern University (90.1% graduation rate) leads the bachelor's rankings. See our complete rankings below for detailed program comparisons across all degree levels.
Median Cybersecurity Salary in Chicago
Cybersecurity Salaries by Role: Chicago vs. National Average
| Role | Chicago Metro | National Median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Security Analyst | $110,000 | $109,921 | 0% |
| Penetration Tester | $118,750 | $118,665 | 0% |
| Security Engineer | $135,000 | $134,903 | 0% |
| Security Architect | $152,500 | $152,390 | 0% |
| Cybersecurity Manager / CISO | $181,250 | $181,120 | 0% |
Source: BLS OEWS Chicago-Naperville-Elgin MSA, May 2024. Role estimates derived from BLS SOC 15-1212 median.
Cybersecurity Salaries in Chicago: What to Expect by Role
Cybersecurity professionals in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin earn a median salary of $125,000, which is 0% above the national median of $124,910 (BLS OEWS May 2024, SOC 15-1212: Information Security Analysts). This positions Chicago as a competitive market for cybersecurity professionals.
Entry-level security analysts in Chicago can expect starting salaries around $110,000, 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 $118,750. Senior technical roles like security engineers command $135,000, while security architects who design enterprise defense systems earn up to $152,500.
At the management level, cybersecurity managers and CISOs in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin can earn $181,250 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 Chicago. 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 Chicago
The Chicago cybersecurity job market spans 3 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:
Healthcare
Northwestern Medicine. Major healthcare system with extensive cybersecurity operations protecting patient data across multiple hospitals and clinics.
Technology
Amazon. Major technology company with significant Chicago operations and cloud security infrastructure.
United Airlines. Major airline headquartered in Chicago with extensive flight operations security and passenger systems protection.
Walgreens. Retail pharmacy company with headquarters in Chicago and e-commerce security operations.
Abbott Laboratories. Pharmaceutical and medical device company with research security and supply chain cybersecurity operations.
Finance
JPMorgan Chase. Major financial institution with significant cybersecurity presence and risk management operations.
These employers represent a cross-section of the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin area's cybersecurity hiring market. Many maintain partnerships with local universities for internships, co-ops, and direct hiring pipelines, making a degree from a Chicago-area school particularly valuable for breaking into the field.
Notable Cyber Incidents Affecting Chicago Organizations
Notable Cyber Incidents in the Chicago Area
Cyber threats aren't abstract risks for Chicago, they have directly impacted local organizations, showing the urgent need for trained cybersecurity professionals in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin:
United Airlines (2024), DDoS. Flight booking systems disrupted affecting thousands of passengers across multiple days.
Abbott Laboratories (2021), ransomware. Manufacturing systems compromised affecting production of critical medical devices and diagnostic equipment.
Northwestern Medicine (2023), data breach. Patient records and healthcare information exposed affecting tens of thousands of individuals.
These incidents represent just a fraction of the cyber threats facing Chicago-area organizations. According to CyberSeek data, the Chicago 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 Chicago directly translate to preventing and responding to threats that affect their own community.
Cybersecurity Job Market in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin
The cybersecurity job market in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin reflects a broader national talent crisis. Illinois has approximately 19,419 open cybersecurity positions (CyberSeek, January 2026), with an estimated 1,850 concentrated in the Chicago 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 Chicago 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 Illinois, 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 Chicago 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 Chicago 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 Illinois Cybersecurity Rankings.
Cybersecurity Degree Costs in Chicago
Cybersecurity degree programs near Chicago range from $7,968/year at Moraine Valley Community College to $64,887/year at Northwestern University. Public institutions average $10,538/year (in-state), while private schools average $59,432/year.
Return on investment is compelling: with a median cybersecurity salary of $125,000 in the Chicago area versus a high school diploma median of $42,000 (BLS 2024), a four-year bachelor's degree at a typical tuition rate (approximately $116,776 total) can be recouped in roughly 1.4 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 $15,936 provides foundational credentials for entry-level SOC analyst or IT security roles paying $93,750+.
Ways to reduce costs: Federal financial aid (FAFSA), Illinois 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 Chicago area also offer tuition reimbursement for employees pursuing cybersecurity degrees, check with local employers listed in our employer section above.
Cybersecurity Degree Programs in Chicago: Frequently Asked Questions
How many cybersecurity degree programs are available in Chicago, Illinois?
What's the average cybersecurity salary in Chicago?
How many cybersecurity jobs are available in Chicago?
Which Chicago schools have NSA Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) designation?
Can I earn a cybersecurity degree online from Chicago 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. Illinois: 19,419 openings. National: 514,359 openings, 26% vacancy rate.
National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity program designations. 2 designated schools near Chicago.
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.