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Key Takeaways
Best cybersecurity degree programs: Bismarck State College, Minot State, U of Mary
Ranked by graduation rates, program outcomes, and institutional quality
Tuition ranges from $3,310 to $19,084/year
Williston State College offers the most affordable option at $3,310/yr
Cybersecurity degree programs available: 2 associate's, 1 master's in North Dakota
From community college pathways to advanced research degrees
North Dakota community college transfer can save 40-60% on total degree costs
2 associate's programs provide transfer pathways to bachelor's degrees
Education Commission of the States
Major employers: Microsoft, Amazon, Appareo Systems, Packet Digital
Tech hubs in Fargo and Bismarck
Hakia Research 2026
Cybersecurity degree programs near 18+ cities across North Dakota
Search by city to find programs within 200 miles of your location
Updated June 28, 2026
How we ranked North Dakota Cybersecurity programs
We rank 6 accredited cybersecurity programs in North Dakota 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.
Are Cybersecurity Degree Programs in North Dakota Worth It?
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024
Cybersecurity Degree Rankings in North Dakota
Compare the top-ranked Cybersecurity programs in North Dakota by degree level. Tuition, graduation rate, and Hakia Score for every accredited program.
Best Bachelor's Cybersecurity Programs in North Dakota
Program Landscape
North Dakota ranks among the nation's top destinations for cybersecurity education, with 3 accredited bachelor's degree programs across 2 public and 1 private institutions. The highest-ranked programs are Bismarck State College, Minot State, U of Mary, recognized for academic excellence, research opportunities, and strong industry connections.
Career Outcomes
Graduates from North Dakota cybersecurity programs earn a median salary of $74,503, 24% below the national average. The state's robust technology sector, anchored by the Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks metropolitan areas, provides abundant internship and employment opportunities with companies including Microsoft, Amazon, Appareo Systems.
Costs & Value
Tuition ranges from $4,167 to $19,084 annually, with an average of $10,140/yr. Top programs maintain graduation rates above 86%, with the highest reaching 94%. Many programs hold ABET accreditation, the gold standard for computing education, ensuring curriculum meets rigorous industry standards.
Curriculum & Specializations
Students can choose from specializations including software engineering, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data science, and systems architecture. Strong industry partnerships provide access to co-op programs, capstone projects with real companies, and direct recruiting pipelines to North Dakota's leading technology employers. For students seeking cybersecurity degrees in North Dakota, these top-ranked cybersecurity schools offer the strongest combination of academic rigor and career preparation.
Best Master's Cybersecurity Programs in North Dakota
Program Landscape
North Dakota offers 1 master's degree programs in cybersecurity, designed for professionals seeking to advance into senior engineering, technical leadership, and specialized roles. The top programs, U of North Dakota, combine advanced technical training with research opportunities and leadership development.
Career Outcomes
Master's graduates in North Dakota earn a median salary of $87,650, approximately 20-30% higher than bachelor's degree holders. The concentration of technology companies in Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks creates strong demand for graduate-level talent, with Microsoft, Amazon, Appareo Systems actively recruiting from these programs.
Costs & Value
Program formats include traditional full-time study (typically 2 years), part-time options for working professionals (2-3 years), and accelerated tracks. Tuition averages $9,237/yr, with many employers offering tuition reimbursement for graduate education. Some programs offer thesis and non-thesis tracks, allowing students to focus on research or professional development based on their career goals.
Curriculum & Specializations
Curriculum covers advanced topics including machine learning, distributed systems, software architecture, and technical management. Many programs include practicum experiences, industry capstone projects, or consulting engagements that provide real-world application of advanced concepts. Among North Dakota's cybersecurity schools at the graduate level, these programs stand out for both academic quality and career outcomes.
Cybersecurity Degree Costs & Tuition in North Dakota
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average in-state tuition | $8,987/year |
| Average out-of-state tuition | $22,468/year |
| Community college tuition | $2,247/year |
| 4-year savings for residents | $53,924 |
| 2+2 transfer pathway savings | $13,480 |
Source: IPEDS 2024
Financial Aid & Scholarships for Cybersecurity Students in North Dakota
State Aid Programs
North Dakota students pursuing cybersecurity degrees have access to multiple financial aid pathways at both the federal and state levels. The primary federal aid resource is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), available through Federal Student Aid, which determines eligibility for grants, loans, and work-study programs. Additionally, North Dakota offers the North Dakota Academic Scholarship, a merit-based award specifically designed for North Dakota high school graduates, helping reduce the overall cost of attendance at institutions within the North Dakota University System. This scholarship recognizes academic achievement and provides meaningful support for students entering cybersecurity programs at both two-year and four-year institutions.
Key Programs & Amounts
Many cybersecurity programs across North Dakota also offer institutional scholarships and financial aid packages tailored to students demonstrating strong academic performance or financial need. Community colleges like Bismarck State College, which offers one of the state's most affordable cybersecurity associate's degrees, often have lower tuition barriers combined with state and federal aid eligibility. Students should review individual institution aid pages and contact financial aid offices directly, as many schools offer additional support through departmental scholarships or partnerships with technology employers. The comprehensive financial aid information available on College Scorecard provides comparative cost data and aid award information across North Dakota's cybersecurity programs.
Cybersecurity Degree ROI Calculator, North Dakota
Use our interactive ROI calculator to estimate your return on investment for a cybersecurity degree in North Dakota. Enter your expected tuition costs, financial aid, and career goals to see projected payback periods and lifetime earnings. The calculator uses current salary data from BLS and tuition data from IPEDS to provide accurate estimates.
Cybersecurity Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your return on investment for a cybersecurity degree
Leave blank to use average cost for selected program type
+801%
Net gain divided by total investment. ROI above 200% is considered excellent for education investments.
$1,482,166
Your additional lifetime earnings with this degree vs. working without one, minus the total investment.
5 years
Years until your cumulative earnings exceed total investment. Shorter programs often break even faster due to lower opportunity cost.
$123,810
Your starting salary adjusted for local cost of living. This shows real purchasing power compared to a $100K national baseline.
Why does break-even change with program type? Your "total investment" includes both tuition AND opportunity cost (foregone earnings while in school). A 4-year full-time public university (in-state) means 4 years of not earning a salary ($140,000 in opportunity cost). Shorter full-time programs may have higher tuition but lower total investment because you return to the workforce sooner.
Detailed Breakdown
How we calculate your degree ROI using real salary data
Tuition plus opportunity cost (earnings you miss while in school)
Direct cost of the degree program
4 years × $35K/year foregone salary while studying full-time
Projected career earnings starting after graduation, with salary growth
What you'd earn working at $35K/year with 2% annual growth
Median salary for this role in your selected location (BLS 2024)
Your investment's compound annual growth rate (similar to stock market returns)
Data sources: BLS OEWS May 2024, IPEDS 2024. Calculations use median salaries, 3% discount rate, and assume salary growth declines from 6% to 2% over career. Individual results will vary. | Powered by Hakia.com
Cybersecurity Salaries by Metro Area
Median annual salary in North Dakota metro areas
View data table
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Fargo | $96K |
| Bismarck | $92K |
| Grand Forks | $88K |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024
Hakia.com
Top Employers Hiring Cybersecurity Graduates in North Dakota
Find cybersecurity jobs in North Dakota. These major employers across North Dakota metro areas are actively hiring cybersecurity degree holders. Click employer names to view current job openings.
Cybersecurity Jobs in Fargo
NDCybersecurity Jobs in Bismarck
NDTransfer Pathways for Cybersecurity Degrees in North Dakota
State Transfer System
North Dakota provides seamless transfer pathways for cybersecurity students through the NDUS General Education Transfer system, which ensures that general education credits earned at 4 two-year institutions offering cybersecurity associate's degrees transfer directly to bachelor's programs within the state's public university system. Students completing associate's degrees at institutions like Bismarck State College (which leads the state with 21 completions), Williston State College, North Dakota State College of Science, and Rasmussen University-North Dakota can transfer their credits without loss or duplication. This system removes barriers to degree completion and makes a four-year cybersecurity degree more affordable and accessible.
How Transfers Work
The 9 annual completions from North Dakota's associate's programs feed directly into 6 bachelor's programs at institutions including North Dakota State University-Main Campus, the University of North Dakota (which produced 7 completions), Minot State University, Dickinson State University, Valley City State University, and University of Mary. Articulation agreements between two-year and four-year institutions specify which courses count toward bachelor's degree requirements, streamlining the transfer process. Students should connect with their institution's transfer advisor early to plan their pathway. For additional context on related transfer programs, explore Information Technology in North Dakota and Network Administration in North Dakota. The North Dakota Academic Scholarship supports transfer students continuing their studies in the state system.
Why Pursue a Cybersecurity Degree in North Dakota?
Industry & Workforce
North Dakota offers a growing cybersecurity education landscape with 11 institutions offering cybersecurity programs across associate, bachelor, and master degree levels (IPEDS). The state's cybersecurity programs produced 38 total completions in 2023, reflecting increasing demand in the field. Students can choose from 6 bachelor's programs, 4 associate's programs, and 1 master's program, providing flexible pathways to enter the cybersecurity workforce. Top-performing institutions like North Dakota State University-Main Campus and the University of North Dakota rank among the nation's best cybersecurity programs (College Scorecard).
Salary Outlook
North Dakota's major technology hubs, including Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, and Minot, host significant employers in healthcare, education, and technology sectors. Organizations like Sanford Health, Essentia Health, Microsoft, and the University of North Dakota provide career opportunities and internship pathways for cybersecurity graduates. Public in-state tuition for four-year institutions averages just $6,417, making North Dakota one of the most affordable states for cybersecurity education (BLS State Data). Students pursuing cybersecurity degrees in North Dakota can also benefit from the North Dakota Academic Scholarship, a merit-based award supporting in-state high school graduates. Compare North Dakota's opportunities with neighboring states by exploring Cybersecurity in Texas and Cybersecurity in California.
Cybersecurity Program Availability in North Dakota
Source: IPEDS 2024
Cybersecurity Job Market & Salary Data in North Dakota
Employment Outlook
North Dakota's cybersecurity job market is growing within a broader technology landscape supported by major regional employers and educational institutions. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, cybersecurity professionals are in demand across the state's key metro areas: Fargo, Bismarck, and Grand Forks. These regions serve as hubs for healthcare, technology, and government sectors that increasingly require strong cybersecurity infrastructure. The state's 11 institutions offering cybersecurity programs, including 6 bachelor's-granting and 4 associate's-granting institutions, demonstrate steady educational pipeline development to meet workforce needs (IPEDS).
Salaries by Metro
Entry-level positions are particularly accessible through North Dakota's community colleges, which produced 9 associate's completions in 2023, providing a direct pathway to employment. The state's public universities offer more advanced credentials, with 22 bachelor's completions and 7 master's completions in the same year. Students pursuing cybersecurity degrees benefit from North Dakota's affordable tuition landscape, with average public in-state four-year tuition at just $6,417 annually. This affordability, combined with growing regional job opportunities in healthcare, higher education, and emerging tech sectors, positions North Dakota as an accessible entry point for cybersecurity careers. For detailed employment data and salary information specific to information security roles, consult the BLS State Occupational Employment Statistics. Explore related fields through our guides on Information Security in North Dakota and Network Administration in North Dakota.
Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)
New graduates and career changers
Senior (8+ yrs)
Technical leads and architects
Online vs On-Campus Cybersecurity Programs in North Dakota
Online Programs
0 available in North Dakota
On-Campus Programs
Traditional classroom experience
Compare Cybersecurity Programs in Other States
- Total Programs
- 30
- Median Tuition
- $6,100
- Total Programs
- 9
- Median Tuition
- $7,600
- Total Programs
- 3
- Median Tuition
- $5,700
- Total Programs
- 27
- Median Tuition
- $5,700
- Total Programs
- 32
- Median Tuition
- $4,300
- Total Programs
- 50
- Median Tuition
- $6,200
- Total Programs
- 65
- Median Tuition
- $18,600
- Total Programs
- 22
- Median Tuition
- $44,500
Cybersecurity Degree Programs in North Dakota: FAQ
What are the best cybersecurity degree programs in North Dakota?
How much do cybersecurity degree programs cost in North Dakota?
What salary can cybersecurity degree graduates earn in North Dakota?
Are there online cybersecurity degree programs in North Dakota?
What companies hire cybersecurity degree graduates in North Dakota?
Is a cybersecurity degree program worth it in North Dakota?
How long do cybersecurity degree programs take in North Dakota?
What financial aid is available for cybersecurity degree students in North Dakota?
Data Sources
Institutional characteristics, completions, graduation rates
North Dakota salary and employment data
Program details and admissions information
Last Updated: June 26, 2026. Rankings based on IPEDS 2024 data. Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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.