- 1.Information Security Analysts earn a median salary of $120,360 with 32% projected job growth through 2032 (BLS OES 2024)
- 2.Top-ranked Cybersecurity programs include Dalton State College, Palm Beach State College, Collin County Community College District based on graduation rates, program strength, and career outcomes
- 3.Best value: Dalton State College offers cybersecurity education at $2,563/year with 98% graduation rate
- 4.25 accredited Cybersecurity programs analyzed using IPEDS 2023 completion data
Best Cybersecurity Programs - Top 10 Most Affordable
Dalton State College
N/A cybersecurity graduates annually
Why Ranked #1
Ranked #1 for Cybersecurity based on 98% graduation rate, strong graduates, and overall score of undefined/100. Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Program Strengths
- 98% graduation rate
- Accredited institution
Palm Beach State College
N/A cybersecurity graduates annually
Why Ranked #2
Ranked #2 for Cybersecurity based on 90% graduation rate, strong graduates, and overall score of undefined/100. Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Program Strengths
- 90% graduation rate
- Accredited institution
Collin County Community College District
N/A cybersecurity graduates annually
Why Ranked #3
Ranked #3 for Cybersecurity based on 89% graduation rate, strong graduates, and overall score of undefined/100. Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Program Strengths
- 89% graduation rate
- Accredited institution
University of South Florida
USF hosts the state's official Cyber Florida initiative and recently launched the Rapid7 Cyber Threat Intelligence Lab with $1.5 million in industry funding, giving students unprecedented access to real-world threat intelligence data and global cyberattack tracking.
University of West Florida
N/A cybersecurity graduates annually
Green River College
N/A cybersecurity graduates annually
University of North Georgia
N/A cybersecurity graduates annually
Whatcom Community College
N/A cybersecurity graduates annually
Ensign College
N/A cybersecurity graduates annually
Kennesaw State University
N/A cybersecurity graduates annually
Best Cybersecurity Programs - Compare Top 5 Most Affordable
| School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Dalton State College | Dalton, GA | Public | $2,563 | 98% | N/A |
| #2 Palm Beach State College | Lake Worth, FL | Public | $3,030 | 90% | N/A |
| #3 Collin County Community College District | McKinney, TX | Public | $3,450 | 89% | N/A |
| #4 University of South Florida | Tampa, FL | Public | $4,559 | 85% | N/A |
| #5 University of West Florida | Pensacola, FL | Public | $3,735 | 84% | N/A |
Top 25 Most Affordable Cybersecurity Programs 2026
| Rank | Institution | Location | Tuition | Value Score | Grad Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dalton State College | Dalton, GA | $2,563 | 212 | 98% |
| 2 | Palm Beach State College | Lake Worth, FL | $3,030 | 184.5 | 90% |
| 3 | Collin County Community College District | McKinney, TX | $3,450 | 164.5 | 89% |
| 4 | University of South Florida | Tampa, FL | $4,559 | 158.8 | 85% |
| 5 | University of West Florida | Pensacola, FL | $3,735 | 149.3 | 84% |
| 6 | Green River College | Auburn, WA | $4,074 | 144.2 | 99% |
| 7 | University of North Georgia | Dahlonega, GA | $4,230 | 143.4 | 100% |
| 8 | Whatcom Community College | Bellingham, WA | $3,633 | 130.7 | 78% |
| 9 | Ensign College | Salt Lake City, UT | $3,888 | 119.1 | 76% |
| 10 | Kennesaw State University | Kennesaw, GA | $4,450 | 118.4 | 66% |
| 11 | Tacoma Community College | Tacoma, WA | $4,477 | 111.3 | 87% |
| 12 | The University of Montana | Missoula, MT | $5,736 | 103.6 | 100% |
| 13 | Columbia Basin College | Pasco, WA | $5,514 | 101.9 | 97% |
| 14 | University at Albany | Albany, NY | $7,070 | 97.9 | 99% |
| 15 | Utah Valley University | Orem, UT | $5,614 | 96.9 | 92% |
| 16 | CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice | New York, NY | $6,930 | 95.4 | 90% |
| 17 | University of Nebraska at Omaha | Omaha, NE | $6,536 | 92.4 | 97% |
| 18 | Brigham Young University | Provo, UT | $6,496 | 92.1 | 91% |
| 19 | Yakima Valley College | Yakima, WA | $4,623 | 84.6 | 55% |
| 20 | University of Maryland Global Campus | Adelphi, MD | $7,632 | 82.7 | 74% |
| 21 | Texas A & M University-College Station | College Station, TX | $9,003 | 73.6 | 84% |
| 22 | Purdue University-Main Campus | West Lafayette, IN | $9,718 | 73.4 | 83% |
| 23 | Dakota State University | Madison, SD | $7,616 | 72.4 | 93% |
| 24 | SUNY College of Technology at Alfred | Alfred, NY | $7,070 | 71.9 | 90% |
| 25 | Augusta University | Augusta, GA | $6,892 | 69.5 | 73% |
Affordable Cybersecurity Degrees: Quality Education Without the Debt
Cybersecurity education doesn't require six-figure debt. Our analysis of accredited programs reveals exceptional value opportunities, with the most affordable in-state programs delivering quality education at a fraction of private school costs.
Public universities in Southern and Western states lead our affordable rankings, offering strong academics with affordable tuition. These programs maintain competitive graduation rates, industry partnerships, and excellent job placement—proving that cost doesn't determine quality in cybersecurity education.
Our methodology prioritizes total value by calculating a Value Score that divides academic quality metrics by tuition cost. This ensures we're recommending programs that deliver the best education for your dollar, not just the cheapest options regardless of quality. See our full ranking methodology for details on how we calculate Value Scores.
Career Paths
Cybersecurity Analyst
SOC 15-1212Monitor and protect organizational systems from cyber threats, analyze security incidents, and implement protective measures.
Information Security Analyst
SOC 15-1212Plan and implement security measures to protect computer networks and systems from cyber attacks and unauthorized access.
Network Security Engineer
Design and implement secure network infrastructures, configure firewalls, and maintain network security protocols.
Digital Forensics Specialist
Investigate cybercrimes by collecting and analyzing digital evidence from computers, networks, and mobile devices.
Security Consultant
Assess organizational security posture, recommend improvements, and help implement cybersecurity best practices.
Penetration Tester
Conduct authorized simulated attacks on systems to identify vulnerabilities and security weaknesses.
Most Affordable States for Cybersecurity Education
Georgia
Florida
Washington
Utah
New York
Texas
Pennsylvania
Michigan
Maryland
Financial Aid for Cybersecurity Students
Financial aid can make already affordable cybersecurity programs even more accessible. Federal Pell Grants, state grants, and cybersecurity-specific scholarships help reduce out-of-pocket costs significantly. Students at public universities often qualify for need-based aid that can cover substantial portions of tuition and living expenses.
The CyberSeek scholarship database lists over 200 cybersecurity-specific scholarships ranging from $1,000 to full-ride awards. Many are specifically targeted at students attending affordable public universities and HBCUs. Federal agencies like NSA and DHS also offer scholarships for service programs that provide full tuition coverage in exchange for government employment commitments.
Students should complete the FAFSA early to maximize aid eligibility. At schools with tuition under $10,000 annually, Pell Grant recipients often receive awards that cover 50-80% of total educational costs. State-specific aid programs in North Dakota, Wyoming, and other affordable states provide additional support for in-state students pursuing cybersecurity degrees.
Return on Investment Analysis
Affordable cybersecurity programs deliver exceptional ROI with typical payback periods of 2-4 years. Students graduating with $15,000-$25,000 in total educational debt can expect starting salaries of $55,000-$70,000, creating manageable debt-to-income ratios. The high demand for cybersecurity professionals ensures strong job security and rapid salary growth potential.
A University of North Dakota graduate with $18,000 in total costs earning $62,000 annually will recoup their investment in approximately 3.5 years. Compare this to private university graduates carrying $80,000+ in debt who may require 8-12 years to achieve positive ROI despite marginally higher starting salaries.
Frequently Asked Questions About Affordable Cybersecurity Programs
Based on 50 programs from IPEDS 2023 (tuition $2K-$35K, 40%+ grad rate, 10+ graduates)
Our Best Value algorithm calculates Value Score = Quality Score / (Tuition / $10,000). This rewards schools delivering quality education at reasonable prices.
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023, weighted at 35% of the Quality Score
Number of Cybersecurity graduates indicating program resources and faculty (IPEDS 2023)
Admission rate from IPEDS 2023 (lower = more selective)
R1 research universities receive bonus points for institutional quality
Data Sources and Methodology
Tuition, fees, graduation rates, and institutional characteristics
Cybersecurity analyst salaries and employment projections
CAE-CD and CAE-R designation status for cybersecurity programs
Graduate earnings and debt levels by institution
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.