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Key Takeaways
2 cybersecurity programs from 2 public and 0 private institutions
2 schools physically in El Paso, plus 0 within 50 miles. Tuition ranges from $2,784 (El Paso Community College) to $7,704 (The University of Texas at El Paso).
Median cybersecurity salary: $95,000, 24% below the national median
Security engineers earn up to $102,600, while cybersecurity managers command $137,750 in the El Paso metro area. Source: BLS OEWS El Paso MSA, May 2024.
An estimated 420 open cybersecurity positions in the El Paso metro area
Texas has 42,559 total cybersecurity openings, 1% concentrated in the El Paso metro. Nationally, 26% of cybersecurity roles remain unfilled.
1 NSA Center of Academic Excellence designated school
The University of Texas at El Paso 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 El Paso, Texas Cybersecurity programs
We rank 4 accredited cybersecurity programs in El Paso, Texas 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 El Paso, Texas
Compare the top-ranked Cybersecurity programs in El Paso, Texas by degree level. Tuition, graduation rate, and Hakia Score for every accredited program.
Best Associate's Cybersecurity Programs in El Paso, Texas
Hakia ranks 1 accredited associate's cybersecurity program within 50 miles of El Paso, 1 public institution. 1 is physically located in El Paso, with the rest accessible via short commutes. The top-ranked programs include El Paso Community College. Tuition for associate's programs ranges from $2,784 to $2,784 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 El Paso-area schools can expect starting salaries in the range of $61,750 to $74,100 in the local market, with roles such as SOC analyst, IT security technician, or network security associate. The El Paso metro area has an estimated 420 open cybersecurity positions, and the BLS projects +33% job growth through 2033.
Show all 25 ranked programs
| Rank | School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #6 | Tarrant County College District | Fort Worth, TX | Public | $3,537 | 34% | 82.2 |
| #7 | University of St Thomas | Houston, TX | Private nonprofit | $33,784 | 69% | 81.6 |
| #8 | Dallas College | Dallas, TX | Public | $4,662 | 32% | 78.6 |
| #9 | Panola College | Carthage, TX | Public | $792 | 43% | 77.8 |
| #10 | Paris Junior College | Paris, TX | Public | $3,450 | 38% | 77.1 |
| #11 | Grayson College | Denison, TX | Public | $3,000 | 40% | 77.0 |
| #12 | Northeast Lakeview College | Universal City, TX | Public | $5,400 | 32% | 73.5 |
| #13 | St Philip's College | San Antonio, TX | Public | $5,400 | 28% | 73.3 |
| #14 | Weatherford College | Weatherford, TX | Public | $6,600 | 35% | 72.7 |
| #15 | El Paso Community College | El Paso, TX | Public | $2,784 | 24% | 72.4 |
| #16 | San Antonio College | San Antonio, TX | Public | $5,400 | 26% | 71.9 |
| #17 | Collin County Community College District | McKinney, TX | Public | $3,750 | 20% | 71.9 |
| #18 | Laredo College | Laredo, TX | Public | $2,400 | 30% | 71.4 |
| #19 | Wayland Baptist University | Plainview, TX | Private nonprofit | $22,054 | 19% | 71.3 |
| #20 | Temple College | Temple, TX | Public | $1,320 | 32% | 70.9 |
| #21 | South Texas College | McAllen, TX | Public | $5,220 | 27% | 70.6 |
| #22 | Texas Southmost College | Brownsville, TX | Public | $1,800 | 30% | 69.4 |
| #23 | College of the Mainland | Texas City, TX | Public | $3,450 | 31% | 69.0 |
| #24 | Alvin Community College | Alvin, TX | Public | $2,448 | 24% | 65.4 |
| #25 | Central Texas College | Killeen, TX | Public | $4,890 | 11% | 61.0 |
Best Bachelor's Cybersecurity Programs in El Paso, Texas
Hakia ranks 1 accredited bachelor's cybersecurity program within 50 miles of El Paso, 1 public institution. 1 is physically located in El Paso, with the rest accessible via short commutes. The top-ranked programs include The University of Texas at El Paso. Annual tuition ranges from $7,704 to $7,704 (average: $7,704). 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 99%. Graduates with a bachelor's degree in cybersecurity from El Paso-area schools can expect starting salaries in the range of $83,600 to $90,250 in the local market, with roles such as security analyst, penetration tester, or incident response specialist. The El Paso metro area has an estimated 420 open cybersecurity positions, and the BLS projects +33% job growth through 2033. The University of Texas at El Paso 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.
The University of Texas at San Antonio
Collin County Community College District
Show all 13 ranked programs
| Rank | School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #6 | Sam Houston State University | Huntsville, TX | Public | $5,856 | 55% | 71.2 |
| #7 | Angelo State University | San Angelo, TX | Public | $4,495 | 44% | 68.2 |
| #8 | Dallas Baptist University | Dallas, TX | Private nonprofit | $38,340 | 57% | 67.8 |
| #9 | Wayland Baptist University | Plainview, TX | Private nonprofit | $22,054 | 19% | 67.4 |
| #10 | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | Edinburg, TX | Public | $7,842 | 51% | 67.0 |
| #11 | Our Lady of the Lake University | San Antonio, TX | Private nonprofit | $31,112 | 46% | 66.2 |
| #12 | East Texas A&M University | Commerce, TX | Public | $4,790 | 43% | 63.5 |
| #13 | Texas A&M University-San Antonio | San Antonio, TX | Public | $5,163 | 40% | 60.7 |
Best Master's Cybersecurity Programs in El Paso, Texas
Hakia ranks 1 accredited master's cybersecurity program within 50 miles of El Paso, 1 public institution. 1 is physically located in El Paso, with the rest accessible via short commutes. The top-ranked programs include The University of Texas at El Paso. Graduate tuition ranges from $7,704 to $7,704 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: 99%. Graduates with a master's degree in cybersecurity from El Paso-area schools can expect starting salaries in the range of $102,600 to $115,900 in the local market, with roles such as security engineer, security architect, or cybersecurity consultant. The El Paso metro area has an estimated 420 open cybersecurity positions, and the BLS projects +33% job growth through 2033. The University of Texas at El Paso 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.
Southern Methodist University
Show all 16 ranked programs
| Rank | School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #6 | University of Dallas | Irving, TX | Private nonprofit | $50,140 | 73% | 82.6 |
| #7 | University of North Texas | Denton, TX | Public | $8,319 | 61% | 78.9 |
| #8 | The University of Texas at San Antonio | San Antonio, TX | Public | $6,266 | 53% | 70.8 |
| #9 | Sam Houston State University | Huntsville, TX | Public | $5,856 | 55% | 67.6 |
| #10 | Stephen F Austin State University | Nacogdoches, TX | Public | $7,842 | 53% | 64.9 |
| #11 | The University of Texas at Tyler | Tyler, TX | Public | $7,020 | 54% | 64.7 |
| #12 | West Texas A & M University | Canyon, TX | Public | $6,372 | 55% | 64.6 |
| #13 | Dallas Baptist University | Dallas, TX | Private nonprofit | $38,340 | 57% | 63.2 |
| #14 | St. Mary's University | San Antonio, TX | Private nonprofit | $36,198 | 59% | 62.6 |
| #15 | Our Lady of the Lake University | San Antonio, TX | Private nonprofit | $31,112 | 46% | 59.8 |
| #16 | Strayer University-Texas | Farmers Branch, TX | Private for-profit | $13,725 | 25% | 55.0 |
Why Study Cybersecurity in El Paso, Texas
El Paso 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 El Paso, with the remaining schools accessible via short commutes from surrounding communities in the El Paso metro area.
1 school near El Paso holds NSA Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) designation: The University of Texas at El Paso. 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 El Paso metro area cybersecurity job market is substantial, with an estimated 420 open positions and a median salary of $95,000 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 El Paso, this translates to strong local hiring prospects upon graduation.
Among the top-ranked programs, The University of Texas at El Paso (98.7% graduation rate) leads the bachelor's rankings. See our complete rankings below for detailed program comparisons across all degree levels.
Median Cybersecurity Salary in El Paso
Source: BLS OEWS El Paso MSA, May 2024
Cybersecurity Salaries by Role: El Paso vs. National Average
| Role | El Paso Metro | National Median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Security Analyst | $83,600 | $109,921 | -24% |
| Penetration Tester | $90,250 | $118,665 | -24% |
| Security Engineer | $102,600 | $134,903 | -24% |
| Security Architect | $115,900 | $152,390 | -24% |
| Cybersecurity Manager / CISO | $137,750 | $181,120 | -24% |
Source: BLS OEWS El Paso MSA, May 2024. Role estimates derived from BLS SOC 15-1212 median.
Cybersecurity Salaries in El Paso: What to Expect by Role
Cybersecurity professionals in the El Paso metro area earn a median salary of $95,000, which is 24% below the national median of $124,910 (BLS OEWS May 2024, SOC 15-1212: Information Security Analysts). This positions El Paso as a market where cybersecurity salaries are offset by El Paso's lower cost of living compared to coastal tech hubs.
Entry-level security analysts in El Paso can expect starting salaries around $83,600, 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 $90,250. Senior technical roles like security engineers command $102,600, while security architects who design enterprise defense systems earn up to $115,900.
At the management level, cybersecurity managers and CISOs in the El Paso metro area can earn $137,750 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 El Paso, especially given the proximity to defense contractors and federal agencies. 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 El Paso
The El Paso cybersecurity job market spans 4 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
Fort Bliss (U.S. Army). Major military installation with classified systems security and critical infrastructure protection.
Technology
AT&T. Regional telecommunications operations with network security and fraud prevention teams.
H-E-B. Retail corporation with point-of-sale security and customer data protection operations.
Energy
El Paso Electric. Utility company with SCADA security and critical infrastructure protection responsibilities.
Healthcare
Texas Tech Health Sciences Center El Paso. Medical institution with patient data security and HIPAA compliance operations.
These employers represent a cross-section of the El Paso 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 El Paso-area school particularly valuable for breaking into the field.
Notable Cyber Incidents Affecting El Paso Organizations
Notable Cyber Incidents in the El Paso Area
Cyber threats aren't abstract risks for El Paso, they have directly impacted local organizations, showing the urgent need for trained cybersecurity professionals in the El Paso metro area:
AT&T (2023), data breach. Customer information accessed during network security incident. Regional operations affected.
El Paso Public Schools (2022), ransomware. Education district systems disrupted. Student and staff records at risk during incident response.
These incidents represent just a fraction of the cyber threats facing El Paso-area organizations. According to CyberSeek data, the El Paso metro area has an estimated 420 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 El Paso directly translate to preventing and responding to threats that affect their own community.
Cybersecurity Job Market in the El Paso metro area
The cybersecurity job market in the El Paso metro area reflects a broader national talent crisis. Texas has approximately 42,559 open cybersecurity positions (CyberSeek, January 2026), with an estimated 420 concentrated in the El Paso 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 El Paso 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 Texas, the combination of a large technology sector, defense contracting, and growing digital transformation across industries is driving sustained demand for cybersecurity talent.
Most in-demand certifications that complement a cybersecurity degree from El Paso 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 El Paso 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 Texas Cybersecurity Rankings.
Cybersecurity Degree Costs in El Paso
Cybersecurity degree programs near El Paso range from $2,784/year at El Paso Community College to $7,704/year at The University of Texas at El Paso.
Return on investment is compelling: with a median cybersecurity salary of $95,000 in the El Paso area versus a high school diploma median of $42,000 (BLS 2024), a four-year bachelor's degree at a typical tuition rate (approximately $20,976 total) can be recouped in roughly 0.4 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 $5,568 provides foundational credentials for entry-level SOC analyst or IT security roles paying $71,250+.
Ways to reduce costs: Federal financial aid (FAFSA), Texas 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 El Paso area also offer tuition reimbursement for employees pursuing cybersecurity degrees, check with local employers listed in our employer section above.
Cybersecurity Degree Programs in El Paso: Frequently Asked Questions
How many cybersecurity degree programs are available in El Paso, Texas?
What's the average cybersecurity salary in El Paso?
How many cybersecurity jobs are available in El Paso?
Which El Paso schools have NSA Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) designation?
Can I earn a cybersecurity degree online from El Paso 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. Texas: 42,559 openings. National: 514,359 openings, 26% vacancy rate.
National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity program designations. 1 designated school near El Paso.
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.