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Key Takeaways
5 cybersecurity programs from 3 public and 2 private institutions
3 schools physically in Saint Louis, plus 2 within 50 miles. Tuition ranges from $4,440 (Saint Louis Community College) to $61,750 (Washington University in St Louis).
Median cybersecurity salary: $108,000, 14% below the national median
Security engineers earn up to $116,640, while cybersecurity managers command $156,600 in the Saint Louis metro area. Source: BLS OEWS St. Louis MSA, May 2024.
An estimated 1,850 open cybersecurity positions in the Saint Louis metro area
Missouri has 7,500 total cybersecurity openings, 25% concentrated in the Saint Louis metro. Nationally, 26% of cybersecurity roles remain unfilled.
1 NSA Center of Academic Excellence designated school
University of Missouri-St Louis 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 Saint Louis, Missouri Cybersecurity programs
We rank 9 accredited cybersecurity programs in Saint Louis, 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 Saint Louis, Missouri
Compare the top-ranked Cybersecurity programs in Saint Louis, Missouri by degree level. Tuition, graduation rate, and Hakia Score for every accredited program.
Best Associate's Cybersecurity Programs in Saint Louis, Missouri
Hakia ranks 2 accredited associate's cybersecurity programs within 50 miles of Saint Louis, 2 public institutions. The nearest programs are within 10 miles. The top-ranked programs include Saint Louis Community College, Jefferson College. Tuition for associate's programs ranges from $4,440 to $5,400 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 Saint Louis-area schools can expect starting salaries in the range of $70,200 to $84,240 in the local market, with roles such as SOC analyst, IT security technician, or network security associate. The Saint Louis metro area has an estimated 1,850 open cybersecurity positions, and the BLS projects +33% job growth through 2033.
Best Bachelor's Cybersecurity Programs in Saint Louis, Missouri
Hakia ranks 3 accredited bachelor's cybersecurity programs within 50 miles of Saint Louis, 1 public and 2 private institutions. 3 are physically located in Saint Louis, with the rest accessible via short commutes. The top-ranked programs include Washington University in St Louis, Saint Louis University, University of Missouri-St Louis. Annual tuition ranges from $14,400 to $61,750 (average: $42,803). 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 95%. Graduates with a bachelor's degree in cybersecurity from Saint Louis-area schools can expect starting salaries in the range of $95,040 to $102,600 in the local market, with roles such as security analyst, penetration tester, or incident response specialist. The Saint Louis metro area has an estimated 1,850 open cybersecurity positions, and the BLS projects +33% job growth through 2033. University of Missouri-St Louis 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.
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 Saint Louis, Missouri
Hakia ranks 3 accredited master's cybersecurity programs within 50 miles of Saint Louis, 1 public and 2 private institutions. 3 are physically located in Saint Louis, with the rest accessible via short commutes. The top-ranked programs include Washington University in St Louis, Saint Louis University, University of Missouri-St Louis. Graduate tuition ranges from $14,400 to $61,750 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: 95%. Graduates with a master's degree in cybersecurity from Saint Louis-area schools can expect starting salaries in the range of $116,640 to $131,760 in the local market, with roles such as security engineer, security architect, or cybersecurity consultant. The Saint Louis metro area has an estimated 1,850 open cybersecurity positions, and the BLS projects +33% job growth through 2033. University of Missouri-St Louis 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.
Washington University in St Louis
Southeast Missouri State University
Missouri State University-Springfield
Why Study Cybersecurity in Saint Louis, Missouri
Saint Louis is home to a growing cybersecurity education ecosystem with 5 accredited programs across 2 associate's, 3 bachelor's, 3 master's, 1 doctoral degree levels within 50 miles. 3 of these institutions are physically located in Saint Louis, with the remaining schools accessible via short commutes from surrounding communities in the Saint Louis metro area.
1 school near Saint Louis holds NSA Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) designation: University of Missouri-St Louis. 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 Saint Louis metro area cybersecurity job market is substantial, with an estimated 1,850 open positions and a median salary of $108,000 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 Saint Louis, this translates to strong local hiring prospects upon graduation.
Among the top-ranked programs, Washington University in St Louis (96.9% graduation rate) leads the bachelor's rankings. See our complete rankings below for detailed program comparisons across all degree levels.
Median Cybersecurity Salary in Saint Louis
Source: BLS OEWS St. Louis MSA, May 2024
Cybersecurity Salaries by Role: Saint Louis vs. National Average
| Role | Saint Louis Metro | National Median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Security Analyst | $95,040 | $109,921 | -14% |
| Penetration Tester | $102,600 | $118,665 | -14% |
| Security Engineer | $116,640 | $134,903 | -14% |
| Security Architect | $131,760 | $152,390 | -14% |
| Cybersecurity Manager / CISO | $156,600 | $181,120 | -14% |
Source: BLS OEWS St. Louis MSA, May 2024. Role estimates derived from BLS SOC 15-1212 median.
Cybersecurity Salaries in Saint Louis: What to Expect by Role
Cybersecurity professionals in the Saint Louis metro area earn a median salary of $108,000, which is 14% below the national median of $124,910 (BLS OEWS May 2024, SOC 15-1212: Information Security Analysts). This positions Saint Louis as a market where cybersecurity salaries are offset by Saint Louis's lower cost of living compared to coastal tech hubs.
Entry-level security analysts in Saint Louis can expect starting salaries around $95,040, 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 $102,600. Senior technical roles like security engineers command $116,640, while security architects who design enterprise defense systems earn up to $131,760.
At the management level, cybersecurity managers and CISOs in the Saint Louis metro area can earn $156,600 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 Saint Louis. 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 Saint Louis
The Saint Louis 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 with significant cybersecurity operations protecting electronic health records and medical systems.
BJC HealthCare. Large healthcare network with dedicated security operations and patient data protection infrastructure.
SSM Health. Regional healthcare system with cybersecurity operations protecting multiple hospital networks.
Express Scripts. Pharmacy benefits manager with extensive cybersecurity operations protecting prescription and patient data.
Technology
Walmart. Retail giant with significant regional cybersecurity operations including SOC and threat intelligence.
Government
Washington University in St. Louis. Major research institution with cybersecurity research programs and campus IT security operations.
These employers represent a cross-section of the Saint Louis metro area area's cybersecurity hiring market. Many maintain partnerships with local universities for internships, co-ops, and direct hiring pipelines, making a degree from a Saint Louis-area school particularly valuable for breaking into the field.
Notable Cyber Incidents Affecting Saint Louis Organizations
Notable Cyber Incidents in the Saint Louis Area
Cyber threats aren't abstract risks for Saint Louis, they have directly impacted local organizations, showing the urgent need for trained cybersecurity professionals in the Saint Louis metro area:
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (2021), data breach. Breach exposed personal information of Missouri residents including healthcare and social services data.
Saint Louis Public Schools (2020), ransomware. School district systems affected by ransomware, disrupting education operations and data access.
Cerner (2019), data breach. Healthcare IT vendor breach affected patient records across multiple healthcare organizations.
These incidents represent just a fraction of the cyber threats facing Saint Louis-area organizations. According to CyberSeek data, the Saint Louis 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 Saint Louis directly translate to preventing and responding to threats that affect their own community.
Cybersecurity Job Market in the Saint Louis metro area
The cybersecurity job market in the Saint Louis metro area reflects a broader national talent crisis. Missouri has approximately 7,500 open cybersecurity positions (CyberSeek, January 2026), with an estimated 1,850 concentrated in the Saint Louis 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 Saint Louis 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 Saint Louis 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 Saint Louis 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 Saint Louis
Cybersecurity degree programs near Saint Louis range from $4,440/year at Saint Louis Community College to $61,750/year at Washington University in St Louis. Public institutions average $8,080/year (in-state), while private schools average $57,005/year.
Return on investment is compelling: with a median cybersecurity salary of $108,000 in the Saint Louis area versus a high school diploma median of $42,000 (BLS 2024), a four-year bachelor's degree at a typical tuition rate (approximately $171,212 total) can be recouped in roughly 2.6 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 $8,880 provides foundational credentials for entry-level SOC analyst or IT security roles paying $81,000+.
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 Saint Louis area also offer tuition reimbursement for employees pursuing cybersecurity degrees, check with local employers listed in our employer section above.
Cybersecurity Degree Programs in Saint Louis: Frequently Asked Questions
How many cybersecurity degree programs are available in Saint Louis, Missouri?
What's the average cybersecurity salary in Saint Louis?
How many cybersecurity jobs are available in Saint Louis?
Which Saint Louis schools have NSA Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) designation?
Can I earn a cybersecurity degree online from Saint Louis 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. 1 designated school near Saint Louis.
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.