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Key Takeaways
3 cybersecurity programs from 3 public and 0 private institutions
2 schools physically in Kansas City, plus 1 within 50 miles. Tuition ranges from $7,110 (Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City) to $11,190 (University of Missouri-Kansas City).
Median cybersecurity salary: $110,000, 12% below the national median
Security engineers earn up to $118,800, while cybersecurity managers command $159,500 in the Kansas City. Source: BLS OEWS Kansas City MSA, May 2024.
An estimated 1,220 open cybersecurity positions in the Kansas City
Missouri has 7,500 total cybersecurity openings, 16% concentrated in the Kansas City metro. Nationally, 26% of cybersecurity roles remain unfilled.
University of Missouri-Kansas City ranked #2 in Missouri for cybersecurity
Ranked by graduation rates, program completions, selectivity, and career outcomes using IPEDS 2024 data.
Updated June 28, 2026
How we ranked Kansas City, Missouri Cybersecurity programs
We rank 4 accredited cybersecurity programs in Kansas City, Missouri 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 Kansas City, Missouri
Compare the top-ranked Cybersecurity programs in Kansas City, Missouri by degree level. Tuition, graduation rate, and Hakia Score for every accredited program.
Best Associate's Cybersecurity Programs in Kansas City, Missouri
Hakia ranks 1 accredited associate's cybersecurity program within 50 miles of Kansas City, 1 public institution. 1 is physically located in Kansas City, with the rest accessible via short commutes. The top-ranked programs include Metropolitan Community College-Kansas.. Tuition for associate's programs ranges from $7,110 to $7,110 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 Kansas City-area schools can expect starting salaries in the range of $71,500 to $85,800 in the local market, with roles such as SOC analyst, IT security technician, or network security associate. The Kansas City metro area has an estimated 1,220 open cybersecurity positions, and the BLS projects +33% job growth through 2033.
Best Bachelor's Cybersecurity Programs in Kansas City, Missouri
Hakia ranks 1 accredited bachelor's cybersecurity program within 50 miles of Kansas City, 1 public institution. 1 is physically located in Kansas City, with the rest accessible via short commutes. The top-ranked programs include University of Missouri-Kansas City. Annual tuition ranges from $11,190 to $11,190 (average: $11,190). 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 98%. Graduates with a bachelor's degree in cybersecurity from Kansas City-area schools can expect starting salaries in the range of $96,800 to $104,500 in the local market, with roles such as security analyst, penetration tester, or incident response specialist. The Kansas City metro area has an estimated 1,220 open cybersecurity positions, and the BLS projects +33% job growth through 2033.
Southeast Missouri State University
Lindenwood University
Show all 12 ranked programs
| Rank | School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #6 | Northwest Missouri State University | Maryville, MO | Public | $6,713 | 54% | 71.8 |
| #7 | William Woods University | Fulton, MO | Private nonprofit | $29,100 | 47% | 70.8 |
| #8 | Missouri Baptist University | Saint Louis, MO | Private nonprofit | $31,530 | 48% | 70.0 |
| #9 | Columbia College | Columbia, MO | Private nonprofit | $12,276 | 42% | 68.5 |
| #10 | Missouri Western State University | Saint Joseph, MO | Public | $8,310 | 39% | 62.7 |
| #11 | Park University | Parkville, MO | Private nonprofit | $11,018 | 38% | 62.7 |
| #12 | Fontbonne University | Saint Louis, MO | Private nonprofit | $29,276 | 40% | 57.8 |
Best Master's Cybersecurity Programs in Kansas City, Missouri
Hakia ranks 2 accredited master's cybersecurity programs within 50 miles of Kansas City, 2 public institutions. 1 is physically located in Kansas City, with the rest accessible via short commutes. The top-ranked programs include University of Missouri-Kansas City, University of Central Missouri. Graduate tuition ranges from $8,325 to $11,190 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: 98%. Graduates with a master's degree in cybersecurity from Kansas City-area schools can expect starting salaries in the range of $118,800 to $134,200 in the local market, with roles such as security engineer, security architect, or cybersecurity consultant. The Kansas City metro area has an estimated 1,220 open cybersecurity positions, and the BLS projects +33% job growth through 2033.
Washington University in St Louis
Southeast Missouri State University
Missouri State University-Springfield
Why Study Cybersecurity in Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City is home to a growing cybersecurity education ecosystem with 3 accredited programs across 1 associate's, 1 bachelor's, 2 master's degree levels within 50 miles. 2 of these institutions are physically located in Kansas City, with the remaining schools accessible via short commutes from surrounding communities in the Kansas City.
The Kansas City cybersecurity job market is substantial, with an estimated 1,220 open positions and a median salary of $110,000 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 Kansas City, this translates to strong local hiring prospects upon graduation.
Among the top-ranked programs, University of Missouri-Kansas City (98.1% graduation rate) leads the bachelor's rankings. See our complete rankings below for detailed program comparisons across all degree levels.
Median Cybersecurity Salary in Kansas City
Cybersecurity Salaries by Role: Kansas City vs. National Average
| Role | Kansas City Metro | National Median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Security Analyst | $96,800 | $109,921 | -12% |
| Penetration Tester | $104,500 | $118,665 | -12% |
| Security Engineer | $118,800 | $134,903 | -12% |
| Security Architect | $134,200 | $152,390 | -12% |
| Cybersecurity Manager / CISO | $159,500 | $181,120 | -12% |
Source: BLS OEWS Kansas City MSA, May 2024. Role estimates derived from BLS SOC 15-1212 median.
Cybersecurity Salaries in Kansas City: What to Expect by Role
Cybersecurity professionals in the Kansas City earn a median salary of $110,000, which is 12% below the national median of $124,910 (BLS OEWS May 2024, SOC 15-1212: Information Security Analysts). This positions Kansas City as a market where cybersecurity salaries are offset by Kansas City's lower cost of living compared to coastal tech hubs.
Entry-level security analysts in Kansas City can expect starting salaries around $96,800, 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 $104,500. Senior technical roles like security engineers command $118,800, while security architects who design enterprise defense systems earn up to $134,200.
At the management level, cybersecurity managers and CISOs in the Kansas City can earn $159,500 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 Kansas City. 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 Kansas City
The Kansas City 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
Cerner. Healthcare IT company headquartered in Kansas City with extensive cybersecurity and R&D operations.
SSM Health. Regional healthcare system with cybersecurity operations protecting hospital networks.
Express Scripts. Pharmacy benefits manager with cybersecurity operations protecting prescription data.
Technology
Walmart. Retail giant with significant regional cybersecurity operations and supply chain security.
Energy
Kansas City Power & Light. Utility company with cybersecurity operations protecting critical infrastructure and SCADA systems.
These employers represent a cross-section of the Kansas City area's cybersecurity hiring market. Many maintain partnerships with local universities for internships, co-ops, and direct hiring pipelines, making a degree from a Kansas City-area school particularly valuable for breaking into the field.
Notable Cyber Incidents Affecting Kansas City Organizations
Notable Cyber Incidents in the Kansas City Area
Cyber threats aren't abstract risks for Kansas City, they have directly impacted local organizations, showing the urgent need for trained cybersecurity professionals in the Kansas City:
Kansas City government (2022), ransomware. City systems affected by ransomware attack causing disruption to municipal services and data access.
Missouri healthcare providers (2023), data breach. Multiple regional healthcare facilities in Missouri impacted by breach exposing patient information.
These incidents represent just a fraction of the cyber threats facing Kansas City-area organizations. According to CyberSeek data, the Kansas City metro area has an estimated 1,220 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 Kansas City directly translate to preventing and responding to threats that affect their own community.
Cybersecurity Job Market in the Kansas City
The cybersecurity job market in the Kansas City reflects a broader national talent crisis. Missouri has approximately 7,500 open cybersecurity positions (CyberSeek, January 2026), with an estimated 1,220 concentrated in the Kansas City 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 Kansas City 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 Missouri, 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 Kansas City 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 Kansas City 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 Missouri Cybersecurity Rankings.
Cybersecurity Degree Costs in Kansas City
Cybersecurity degree programs near Kansas City range from $7,110/year at Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City to $11,190/year at University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Return on investment is compelling: with a median cybersecurity salary of $110,000 in the Kansas City area versus a high school diploma median of $42,000 (BLS 2024), a four-year bachelor's degree at a typical tuition rate (approximately $39,032 total) can be recouped in roughly 0.6 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 $14,220 provides foundational credentials for entry-level SOC analyst or IT security roles paying $82,500+.
Ways to reduce costs: Federal financial aid (FAFSA), Missouri 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 Kansas City area also offer tuition reimbursement for employees pursuing cybersecurity degrees, check with local employers listed in our employer section above.
Cybersecurity Degree Programs in Kansas City: Frequently Asked Questions
How many cybersecurity degree programs are available in Kansas City, Missouri?
What's the average cybersecurity salary in Kansas City?
How many cybersecurity jobs are available in Kansas City?
Are cybersecurity programs in Kansas City accredited?
Can I earn a cybersecurity degree online from Kansas City 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. Missouri: 7,500 openings. National: 514,359 openings, 26% vacancy rate.
National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity program designations. No designated schools in the immediate Kansas City 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.