Best Cybersecurity Degree Programs in Knoxville, Tennessee — 2026 Rankings

Knoxville is home to a growing cybersecurity education ecosystem with 2 accredited programs across 1 associate's, 1 bachelor's, 1 master's, 1 doctoral degree levels within 50 miles. 2 of these institutions are physically located in Knoxville, with the remaining schools accessible via short commutes from surrounding communities in the Knoxville.

The Knoxville cybersecurity job market is substantial, with an estimated 195 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 Knoxville, this translates to strong local hiring prospects upon graduation.

Among the top-ranked programs, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville (73% graduation rate) leads the bachelor's rankings. See our complete rankings below for detailed program comparisons across all degree levels.

Cybersecurity professionals in the Knoxville 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 Knoxville as a market where cybersecurity salaries are offset by Knoxville's generally lower cost of living compared to coastal tech hubs.

Entry-level security analysts in Knoxville 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 Knoxville can earn $147,900 or more — a 65% premium over entry-level positions. This career trajectory from analyst to manager typically 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 Knoxville. 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.

The Knoxville cybersecurity job market spans 5 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:

Government

Vanderbilt University — Research institution with cybersecurity teams protecting research networks, medical systems, and intellectual property.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory — U.S. Department of Energy research facility with extensive cybersecurity operations protecting classified research and critical infrastructure.

Healthcare

HCA Healthcare — Healthcare enterprise operating multiple hospitals in East Tennessee with centralized information security operations.

Technology

Amazon — Technology operations employer with cloud infrastructure and security teams based in the Knoxville area.

Finance

FedEx — Logistics employer with cybersecurity infrastructure protecting distribution centers and payment systems.

Defense

Nissan North America — Manufacturing operations with OT/IT security teams protecting production systems and connected vehicle technology.

These employers represent a cross-section of the Knoxville area's cybersecurity hiring market. Many maintain partnerships with local universities for internships, co-ops, and direct hiring pipelines — making a degree from a Knoxville-area school particularly valuable for breaking into the field.

Cyber threats are not abstract risks for Knoxville — they have directly impacted local organizations, underscoring the urgent need for trained cybersecurity professionals in the Knoxville:

Vanderbilt University Medical Center (2021) — ransomware. Ransomware attack disrupted hospital operations requiring system shutdowns and patient care delays.

Tennessee state government (2022) — data breach. State agency breach exposing personal information of state employees and benefit recipients.

These incidents represent just a fraction of the cyber threats facing Knoxville-area organizations. According to CyberSeek data, the Knoxville metro area has an estimated 195 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 Knoxville directly translate to preventing and responding to threats that affect their own community.

The cybersecurity job market in the Knoxville reflects a broader national talent crisis. Tennessee has approximately 5,500 open cybersecurity positions (CyberSeek, January 2026), with an estimated 195 concentrated in the Knoxville 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 Knoxville 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 Tennessee, 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 Knoxville 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 Knoxville 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 Tennessee Cybersecurity Rankings.

Cybersecurity degree programs near Knoxville range from $11,332/year at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville to $16,450/year at South College. Public institutions average $11,332/year (in-state), while private schools average $16,450/year.

Return on investment is compelling: with a median cybersecurity salary of $102,000 in the Knoxville area versus a high school diploma median of $42,000 (BLS 2024), a four-year bachelor's degree at a typical tuition rate (approximately $55,564 total) can be recouped in roughly 0.9 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 $22,664 provides foundational credentials for entry-level SOC analyst or IT security roles paying $76,500+.

Ways to reduce costs: Federal financial aid (FAFSA), Tennessee 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 Knoxville area also offer tuition reimbursement for employees pursuing cybersecurity degrees — check with local employers listed in our employer section above.

Last Updated: February 18, 2026. Rankings based on IPEDS 2023 institutional data. Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 release. Job market data from CyberSeek (January 2026).