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Key Takeaways
2 cybersecurity programs from 2 public and 0 private institutions
2 schools physically in Conway, plus 0 within 50 miles. Tuition ranges from $5,208 (Horry-Georgetown Technical College) to $11,460 (Coastal Carolina University).
Median cybersecurity salary: $102,000, 18% below the national median
Security engineers earn up to $110,160, while cybersecurity managers command $147,900 in the Conway metro area. Source: BLS OEWS South Carolina state median, May 2024.
An estimated 145 open cybersecurity positions in the Conway metro area
South Carolina has 6,200 total cybersecurity openings, 2% concentrated in the Conway metro. Nationally, 26% of cybersecurity roles remain unfilled.
Coastal Carolina University ranked #6 in South Carolina for cybersecurity
Ranked by graduation rates, program completions, selectivity, and career outcomes using IPEDS 2024 data.
Updated June 28, 2026
How we ranked Conway, South Carolina Cybersecurity programs
We rank 3 accredited cybersecurity programs in Conway, South Carolina 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 Conway, South Carolina
Compare the top-ranked Cybersecurity programs in Conway, South Carolina by degree level. Tuition, graduation rate, and Hakia Score for every accredited program.
Best Associate's Cybersecurity Programs in Conway, South Carolina
Hakia ranks 1 accredited associate's cybersecurity program within 50 miles of Conway, 1 public institution. 1 is physically located in Conway, with the rest accessible via short commutes. The top-ranked programs include Horry-Georgetown Technical College. Tuition for associate's programs ranges from $5,208 to $5,208 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 Conway-area schools can expect starting salaries in the range of $66,300 to $79,560 in the local market, with roles such as SOC analyst, IT security technician, or network security associate. The Conway metro area has an estimated 145 open cybersecurity positions, and the BLS projects +33% job growth through 2033.
Best Bachelor's Cybersecurity Programs in Conway, South Carolina
Hakia ranks 1 accredited bachelor's cybersecurity program within 50 miles of Conway, 1 public institution. 1 is physically located in Conway, with the rest accessible via short commutes. The top-ranked programs include Coastal Carolina University. Annual tuition ranges from $11,460 to $11,460 (average: $11,460). 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 Conway-area schools can expect starting salaries in the range of $89,760 to $96,900 in the local market, with roles such as security analyst, penetration tester, or incident response specialist. The Conway metro area has an estimated 145 open cybersecurity positions, and the BLS projects +33% job growth through 2033.
University of South Carolina-Columbia
Citadel Military College of South Carolina
North Greenville University
Show all 10 ranked programs
| Rank | School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #6 | University of South Carolina-Upstate | Spartanburg, SC | Public | $11,208 | 43% | 72.1 |
| #7 | Lander University | Greenwood, SC | Public | $10,700 | 50% | 69.1 |
| #8 | Charleston Southern University | Charleston, SC | Private nonprofit | $31,870 | 47% | 61.3 |
| #9 | Limestone University | Gaffney, SC | Private nonprofit | $26,700 | 35% | 56.1 |
| #10 | Morris College | Sumter, SC | Private nonprofit | $15,064 | 17% | 53.1 |
Best Master's Cybersecurity Programs in Conway, South Carolina
Hakia ranks 1 accredited master's cybersecurity program within 50 miles of Conway, 1 public institution. 1 is physically located in Conway, with the rest accessible via short commutes. The top-ranked programs include Coastal Carolina University. Graduate tuition ranges from $11,460 to $11,460 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 Conway-area schools can expect starting salaries in the range of $110,160 to $124,440 in the local market, with roles such as security engineer, security architect, or cybersecurity consultant. The Conway metro area has an estimated 145 open cybersecurity positions, and the BLS projects +33% job growth through 2033.
Strayer University-South Carolina
Why Study Cybersecurity in Conway, South Carolina
Conway is home to a growing cybersecurity education ecosystem with 2 accredited programs across 1 associate's, 1 bachelor's, 1 master's degree levels within 50 miles. 2 of these institutions are physically located in Conway, with the remaining schools accessible via short commutes from surrounding communities in the Conway metro area.
The Conway metro area cybersecurity job market is substantial, with an estimated 145 open positions and a median salary of $102,000 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 Conway, this translates to strong local hiring prospects upon graduation.
Among the top-ranked programs, Coastal Carolina University (86% graduation rate) leads the bachelor's rankings. See our complete rankings below for detailed program comparisons across all degree levels.
Median Cybersecurity Salary in Conway
Cybersecurity Salaries by Role: Conway vs. National Average
| Role | Conway Metro | National Median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Security Analyst | $89,760 | $109,921 | -18% |
| Penetration Tester | $96,900 | $118,665 | -18% |
| Security Engineer | $110,160 | $134,903 | -18% |
| Security Architect | $124,440 | $152,390 | -18% |
| Cybersecurity Manager / CISO | $147,900 | $181,120 | -18% |
Source: BLS OEWS South Carolina state median, May 2024. Role estimates derived from BLS SOC 15-1212 median.
Cybersecurity Salaries in Conway: What to Expect by Role
Cybersecurity professionals in the Conway metro area earn a median salary of $102,000, which is 18% below the national median of $124,910 (BLS OEWS May 2024, SOC 15-1212: Information Security Analysts). This positions Conway as a market where cybersecurity salaries are offset by Conway's lower cost of living compared to coastal tech hubs.
Entry-level security analysts in Conway can expect starting salaries around $89,760, 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 $96,900. Senior technical roles like security engineers command $110,160, while security architects who design enterprise defense systems earn up to $124,440.
At the management level, cybersecurity managers and CISOs in the Conway metro area can earn $147,900 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 Conway. 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 Conway
The Conway cybersecurity job market spans 2 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
Prisma Health. Regional healthcare system with significant cybersecurity operations protecting patient data and medical infrastructure across multiple facilities.
MUSC (Medical University of South Carolina). Academic medical center with dedicated information security team managing research data and healthcare systems across Charleston region.
Greenville Health System. Large regional healthcare network operating multiple hospitals with centralized security operations center.
Defense
BMW Manufacturing (Greer, SC). Advanced manufacturing facility with critical OT/IT security requirements for automotive production systems.
Boeing (North Charleston, SC). Defense contractor with extensive cybersecurity infrastructure protecting classified aerospace and defense programs.
These employers represent a cross-section of the Conway 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 Conway-area school particularly valuable for breaking into the field.
Notable Cyber Incidents Affecting Conway Organizations
Notable Cyber Incidents in the Conway Area
Cyber threats aren't abstract risks for Conway, they have directly impacted local organizations, showing the urgent need for trained cybersecurity professionals in the Conway metro area:
South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (2022), data breach. Exposure of personal information affecting approximately 3.6 million individuals in South Carolina healthcare system.
Medical University of South Carolina (2020), ransomware. Affected patient care operations and forced temporary diversion of emergency patients to other facilities.
These incidents represent just a fraction of the cyber threats facing Conway-area organizations. According to CyberSeek data, the Conway metro area has an estimated 145 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 Conway directly translate to preventing and responding to threats that affect their own community.
Cybersecurity Job Market in the Conway metro area
The cybersecurity job market in the Conway metro area reflects a broader national talent crisis. South Carolina has approximately 6,200 open cybersecurity positions (CyberSeek, January 2026), with an estimated 145 concentrated in the Conway 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 Conway 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 South Carolina, 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 Conway 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 Conway 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 South Carolina Cybersecurity Rankings.
Cybersecurity Degree Costs in Conway
Cybersecurity degree programs near Conway range from $5,208/year at Horry-Georgetown Technical College to $11,460/year at Coastal Carolina University.
Return on investment is compelling: with a median cybersecurity salary of $102,000 in the Conway area versus a high school diploma median of $42,000 (BLS 2024), a four-year bachelor's degree at a typical tuition rate (approximately $45,840 total) can be recouped in roughly 0.8 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 $10,416 provides foundational credentials for entry-level SOC analyst or IT security roles paying $76,500+.
Ways to reduce costs: Federal financial aid (FAFSA), South Carolina 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 Conway area also offer tuition reimbursement for employees pursuing cybersecurity degrees, check with local employers listed in our employer section above.
Cybersecurity Degree Programs in Conway: Frequently Asked Questions
How many cybersecurity degree programs are available in Conway, South Carolina?
What's the average cybersecurity salary in Conway?
How many cybersecurity jobs are available in Conway?
Are cybersecurity programs in Conway accredited?
Can I earn a cybersecurity degree online from Conway 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. South Carolina: 6,200 openings. National: 514,359 openings, 26% vacancy rate.
National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity program designations. No designated schools in the immediate Conway 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.