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Bluegrass Community and Technical College
Lexington, KYPublic
$4,536
Tuition/yr
43%
Grad rate
83.5
Hakia Score
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Reviewed by Taylor Rupe, Founder & EditorSee methodology
Key Takeaways
3 cybersecurity programs from 3 public and 0 private institutions
2 schools physically in Lexington, plus 1 within 50 miles. Tuition ranges from $4,464 (Bluegrass Community and Technical College) to $11,849 (University of Kentucky).
Median cybersecurity salary: $100,000, 20% below the national median
Security engineers earn up to $108,000, while cybersecurity managers command $145,000 in the Lexington-Fayette. Source: BLS OEWS Lexington-Fayette MSA, May 2024.
An estimated 280 open cybersecurity positions in the Lexington-Fayette
Kentucky has 4,800 total cybersecurity openings, 6% concentrated in the Lexington metro. Nationally, 26% of cybersecurity roles remain unfilled.
University of Kentucky ranked #2 in Kentucky for cybersecurity
Ranked by graduation rates, program completions, selectivity, and career outcomes using IPEDS 2024 data.
Updated June 28, 2026
How we ranked Lexington, Kentucky Cybersecurity programs
We rank 6 accredited cybersecurity programs in Lexington, Kentucky 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.
Program completions (35%)Graduation rate (25%)Selectivity (20%)Career outcomes (20%)
See full methodologyCybersecurity Degree Rankings in Lexington, Kentucky
Compare the top-ranked Cybersecurity programs in Lexington, Kentucky by degree level. Tuition, graduation rate, and Hakia Score for every accredited program.
Best Associate's Cybersecurity Programs in Lexington, Kentucky
3
Programs ranked
$8,184
Avg tuition/yr
51%
Avg grad rate
Hakia ranks 1 accredited associate's cybersecurity program within 50 miles of Lexington, 1 public institution. 1 is physically located in Lexington, with the rest accessible via short commutes. The top-ranked programs include Bluegrass Community and Technical Col.. Tuition for associate's programs ranges from $4,464 to $4,464 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 Lexington-area schools can expect starting salaries in the range of $65,000 to $78,000 in the local market, with roles such as SOC analyst, IT security technician, or network security associate. The Lexington metro area has an estimated 280 open cybersecurity positions, and the BLS projects +33% job growth through 2033.
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Big Sandy Community and Technical College
Prestonsburg, KYPublic
$4,536
Tuition/yr
38%
Grad rate
71.7
Hakia Score
Best Bachelor's Cybersecurity Programs in Lexington, Kentucky
3
Programs ranked
$11,596
Avg tuition/yr
61%
Avg grad rate
Hakia ranks 2 accredited bachelor's cybersecurity programs within 50 miles of Lexington, 2 public institutions. 1 is physically located in Lexington, with the rest accessible via short commutes. The top-ranked programs include University of Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky University. Annual tuition ranges from $9,830 to $11,849 (average: $10,840). 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 86%. Graduates with a bachelor's degree in cybersecurity from Lexington-area schools can expect starting salaries in the range of $88,000 to $95,000 in the local market, with roles such as security analyst, penetration tester, or incident response specialist. The Lexington metro area has an estimated 280 open cybersecurity positions, and the BLS projects +33% job growth through 2033.
Best Master's Cybersecurity Programs in Lexington, Kentucky
5
Programs ranked
$10,464
Avg tuition/yr
54%
Avg grad rate
Hakia ranks 2 accredited master's cybersecurity programs within 50 miles of Lexington, 2 public institutions. 1 is physically located in Lexington, with the rest accessible via short commutes. The top-ranked programs include University of Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky University. Graduate tuition ranges from $9,830 to $11,849 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: 86%. Graduates with a master's degree in cybersecurity from Lexington-area schools can expect starting salaries in the range of $108,000 to $122,000 in the local market, with roles such as security engineer, security architect, or cybersecurity consultant. The Lexington metro area has an estimated 280 open cybersecurity positions, and the BLS projects +33% job growth through 2033.
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University of the Cumberlands
Williamsburg, KYPrivate nonprofit
$9,875
Tuition/yr
50%
Grad rate
67.3
Hakia Score
#5
American National University-Pikeville
Pikeville, KYPrivate for-profit
$11,484
Tuition/yr
50%
Grad rate
61.2
Hakia Score
Why Study Cybersecurity in Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington is home to a growing cybersecurity education ecosystem with 3 accredited programs across 1 associate's, 2 bachelor's, 2 master's, 1 doctoral degree levels within 50 miles. 2 of these institutions are physically located in Lexington, with the remaining schools accessible via short commutes from surrounding communities in the Lexington-Fayette.
The Lexington-Fayette cybersecurity job market is substantial, with an estimated 280 open positions and a median salary of $100,000 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 Lexington, this translates to strong local hiring prospects upon graduation.
Among the top-ranked programs, University of Kentucky (74.7% graduation rate) leads the bachelor's rankings. See our complete rankings below for detailed program comparisons across all degree levels.
Median Cybersecurity Salary in Lexington
$100,000
20% below the national median, but Lexington's lower cost of living can offset the difference. Entry-level analysts start around $88,000.
Cybersecurity Salaries by Role: Lexington vs. National Average
| Role | Lexington Metro | National Median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Security Analyst | $88,000 | $109,921 | -20% |
| Penetration Tester | $95,000 | $118,665 | -20% |
| Security Engineer | $108,000 | $134,903 | -20% |
| Security Architect | $122,000 | $152,390 | -20% |
| Cybersecurity Manager / CISO | $145,000 | $181,120 | -20% |
Source: BLS OEWS Lexington-Fayette MSA, May 2024. Role estimates derived from BLS SOC 15-1212 median.
Cybersecurity Salaries in Lexington: What to Expect by Role
Cybersecurity professionals in the Lexington-Fayette earn a median salary of $100,000, which is 20% below the national median of $124,910 (BLS OEWS May 2024, SOC 15-1212: Information Security Analysts). This positions Lexington as a market where cybersecurity salaries are offset by Lexington's lower cost of living compared to coastal tech hubs.
Entry-level security analysts in Lexington can expect starting salaries around $88,000, 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 $95,000. Senior technical roles like security engineers command $108,000, while security architects who design enterprise defense systems earn up to $122,000.
At the management level, cybersecurity managers and CISOs in the Lexington-Fayette can earn $145,000 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 Lexington. 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 Lexington
The Lexington 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:
Technology
UPS (Lexington Operations). Logistics operations center with cybersecurity teams supporting regional and national shipping infrastructure.
Toyota Manufacturing Kentucky. Automotive manufacturing with industrial control system cybersecurity operations.
Healthcare
Humana (Lexington Center). Health insurance operations center with significant data security and healthcare cybersecurity presence.
Norton Healthcare (Lexington). Healthcare system operations with IT security teams protecting patient data and hospital systems.
Government
University of Kentucky. Major research institution with cybersecurity teams protecting research networks and student/faculty data systems.
These employers represent a cross-section of the Lexington-Fayette area's cybersecurity hiring market. Many maintain partnerships with local universities for internships, co-ops, and direct hiring pipelines, making a degree from a Lexington-area school particularly valuable for breaking into the field.
Notable Cyber Incidents Affecting Lexington Organizations
1
Including the University of Kentucky data breach (2021). These incidents demonstrate why local employers urgently need trained cybersecurity professionals.
Notable Cyber Incidents in the Lexington Area
Cyber threats aren't abstract risks for Lexington, they have directly impacted local organizations, showing the urgent need for trained cybersecurity professionals in the Lexington-Fayette:
University of Kentucky (2021), data breach. Compromised university systems exposed employee and student personal information requiring notification and remediation.
These incidents represent just a fraction of the cyber threats facing Lexington-area organizations. According to CyberSeek data, the Lexington metro area has an estimated 280 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 Lexington directly translate to preventing and responding to threats that affect their own community.
Cybersecurity Job Market in the Lexington-Fayette
The cybersecurity job market in the Lexington-Fayette reflects a broader national talent crisis. Kentucky has approximately 4,800 open cybersecurity positions (CyberSeek, January 2026), with an estimated 280 concentrated in the Lexington 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 Lexington 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 Kentucky, the combination of growing digital transformation across industries is driving sustained demand for cybersecurity talent.
Most in-demand certifications that complement a cybersecurity degree from Lexington 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 Lexington 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 Kentucky Cybersecurity Rankings.
Cybersecurity Degree Costs in Lexington
Cybersecurity degree programs near Lexington range from $4,464/year at Bluegrass Community and Technical College to $11,849/year at University of Kentucky.
Return on investment is compelling: with a median cybersecurity salary of $100,000 in the Lexington area versus a high school diploma median of $42,000 (BLS 2024), a four-year bachelor's degree at a typical tuition rate (approximately $43,360 total) can be recouped in roughly 0.7 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 $8,928 provides foundational credentials for entry-level SOC analyst or IT security roles paying $75,000+.
Ways to reduce costs: Federal financial aid (FAFSA), Kentucky 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 Lexington area also offer tuition reimbursement for employees pursuing cybersecurity degrees, check with local employers listed in our employer section above.
Cybersecurity Degree Programs in Lexington: Frequently Asked Questions
How many cybersecurity degree programs are available in Lexington, Kentucky?
There are 2 cybersecurity programs physically located in Lexington and 3 total within a 50-mile radius. These span multiple degree levels: 1 associate's programs, 2 bachelor's programs, 2 master's programs, and 1 doctoral programs. Programs are offered at both public and private institutions, with tuition ranging from $4,464/year to over $17,856/year. See our complete rankings for detailed comparisons of every program, including graduation rates, tuition, and career outcomes data from IPEDS 2024.
What's the average cybersecurity salary in Lexington?
The median annual salary for information security analysts in the Lexington-Fayette is $100,000 according to BLS OEWS May 2024 data (SOC 15-1212). This breaks down by role: entry-level security analysts earn approximately $88,000, penetration testers earn around $95,000, security engineers command $108,000, and cybersecurity managers/CISOs can earn $145,000 or more. The national median is $124,910, and the BLS projects +33% job growth through 2033, making cybersecurity one of the fastest-growing occupations. Security clearances can add approximately $25,000/year to base salary. See our salary comparison table for a full role-by-role breakdown.
How many cybersecurity jobs are available in Lexington?
The Lexington metro area has an estimated 280 open cybersecurity positions, based on CyberSeek data showing 4,800 total openings across Kentucky (January 2026). Nationally, there are 514,359 unfilled cybersecurity roles with a 26% vacancy rate, meaning roughly one in four cybersecurity positions goes unfilled due to the talent shortage. The supply-to-demand ratio has dropped from 116% in 2020 to 74% in 2025, creating increasingly favorable conditions for new graduates. Key local employers include UPS (Lexington Operations), Humana (Lexington Center), Norton Healthcare (Lexington). The most in-demand certifications nationally are CISSP (82,494 postings), CompTIA Security+ (70,019), and CISA (52,337). See our job market analysis for more details.
Are cybersecurity programs in Lexington accredited?
Yes, all 3 cybersecurity programs near Lexington hold regional accreditation, which is the benchmark for academic quality recognized by employers and graduate schools nationwide. While no schools in the immediate Lexington area currently hold NSA CAE (Center of Academic Excellence) designation, programs follow curriculum standards aligned with the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and the NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework. Many programs prepare students for industry certifications including CompTIA Security+, CISSP, CEH, and CISA, which are increasingly valued by employers alongside formal degrees. Regional accreditation also ensures credits transfer between institutions and that graduates qualify for federal financial aid, employer tuition reimbursement programs, and government positions.
Can I earn a cybersecurity degree online from Lexington schools?
Yes. 1 institution near Lexington offers fully online or hybrid cybersecurity programs, providing flexible scheduling for working professionals, career changers, and students who can't attend on-campus classes. Online cybersecurity degrees award the same credential as on-campus programs with no distinction on transcripts or diplomas. Key considerations for online programs: (1) ensure the school holds regional accreditation; (2) check whether hands-on labs use virtual environments like CyberRange or require occasional campus visits; (3) look for programs that include certification prep (Security+, CISSP). Many Lexington-area employers offer tuition reimbursement for online degrees. Use our online filter in the rankings to see which local programs offer distance learning options.
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. Kentucky: 4,800 openings. National: 514,359 openings, 26% vacancy rate.
National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity program designations. No designated schools in the immediate Lexington area.
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).
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.