Top 3 Cybersecurity Programs in Virginia 2025
Virginia Tech
NSA Center of Academic Excellence with world-class cybersecurity research and 95% job placement rate in federal agencies
Virginia Commonwealth University
Strong industry partnerships with Richmond's financial sector and comprehensive hands-on training programs
George Mason University
Prime D.C. metro location with direct access to federal cybersecurity agencies and defense contractors
- 1.Virginia has 20+ accredited cybersecurity programs with 8 holding NSA Center of Academic Excellence designations
- 2.Virginia Tech ranks #1 in Virginia with 86% graduation rate and strongest federal agency recruitment pipeline
- 3.Virginia cybersecurity professionals earn median $115,340 annually—20% above the national median (BLS Virginia 2024)
- 4.D.C. metro area proximity provides access to NSA, CIA, FBI, and hundreds of defense contractors
- 5.Virginia's proximity to federal agencies creates 45,000+ cybersecurity jobs—third highest concentration nationally
Cybersecurity Education in Virginia
Virginia stands as the nation's cybersecurity education hub, offering more NSA-designated programs than most states combined. The Commonwealth's proximity to Washington D.C. creates unique advantages: direct federal agency recruitment, internship opportunities at the NSA and CIA, and access to the world's largest concentration of defense contractors.
For national program comparisons, see our best cybersecurity bachelor's programs ranking. Students considering costs should review our most affordable cybersecurity degrees guide. Career-focused students will benefit from our cybersecurity analyst salary guide with Virginia-specific compensation data.
Virginia's cybersecurity ecosystem extends beyond academics. The state hosts major cybersecurity conferences, houses federal research facilities, and maintains strong industry partnerships that directly benefit students through internships, job placements, and real-world project experience.
Based on 15 programs from IPEDS 2023, NSA CAE List 2024, BLS OEWS Virginia May 2024
6-year completion rate from IPEDS gr2023
Federal agency partnerships and job placement rates
NSA CAE designation and curriculum strength
Acceptance rate indicating program rigor
Source: BLS Virginia 2024, includes NSA, CIA, FBI positions
Virginia Cybersecurity Bachelor's Program Rankings 2025
| Rank | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virginia Tech | Blacksburg | Public | $14,068 | 86% | Yes | 94.2 |
| 2 | Virginia Commonwealth University | Richmond | Public | $13,082 | 68% | Yes | 89.1 |
| 3 | George Mason University | Fairfax | Public | $13,014 | 72% | Yes | 87.8 |
| 4 | James Madison University | Harrisonburg | Public | $12,330 | 82% | Yes | 85.6 |
| 5 | University of Virginia | Charlottesville | Public | $17,094 | 94% | No | 84.3 |
| 6 | Old Dominion University | Norfolk | Public | $11,610 | 55% | Yes | 82.1 |
| 7 | Norfolk State University | Norfolk | Public | $9,068 | 46% | Yes | 79.4 |
| 8 | Radford University | Radford | Public | $11,418 | 68% | No | 77.8 |
| 9 | Liberty University | Lynchburg | Private | $24,910 | 51% | No | 75.2 |
| 10 | Marymount University | Arlington | Private | $35,620 | 62% | No | 73.9 |
| 11 | Virginia State University | Petersburg | Public | $9,382 | 41% | Yes | 71.5 |
| 12 | Christopher Newport University | Newport News | Public | $14,336 | 76% | No | 70.8 |
| 13 | Longwood University | Farmville | Public | $13,590 | 68% | No | 68.2 |
| 14 | Virginia Wesleyan University | Virginia Beach | Private | $38,050 | 59% | No | 65.7 |
| 15 | Bridgewater College | Bridgewater | Private | $39,970 | 64% | No | 63.4 |
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA • University
Program Highlights
- • Home to the nationally recognized Virginia Cyber Range facility
- • Students participate in NSA-sponsored research projects
- • Regular guest lectures from active federal cybersecurity professionals
- • Internship partnerships with major defense contractors like Lockheed Martin
Program Strengths
- NSA Center of Academic Excellence designation with full curriculum alignment
- Dedicated Cybersecurity Research Laboratory with $15M+ in federal funding
- Direct recruitment pipeline to NSA, CIA, FBI, and defense contractors
- Hands-on experience through Virginia Cyber Range training facility
- 95% job placement rate with starting salaries averaging $75,000+
- Strong alumni network in federal cybersecurity positions
Why Ranked #1
Virginia Tech's cybersecurity program combines world-class research with the nation's strongest federal agency recruitment pipeline. As an NSA Center of Academic Excellence, the program maintains direct partnerships with defense agencies and achieves 95% job placement rates in high-security positions.
Student Reviews
"The hands-on experience at Virginia Tech's Cyber Range gave me skills that directly translated to my NSA internship. Professors actively connect students with federal opportunities."
— Senior, Cybersecurity Major
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA • University
Program Highlights
- • Students gain real-world experience through VCU's Security Operations Center
- • Strong placement rates in both federal and private sector positions
- • Active participation in national cybersecurity competitions
- • Partnerships with companies like Capital One and CarMax
Program Strengths
- NSA Center of Academic Excellence with focus on cyber defense
- Strong partnerships with Richmond's banking and financial sector
- Comprehensive incident response and digital forensics training
- State-of-the-art cybersecurity lab with latest industry tools
- Active student cybersecurity competition teams
- Diverse career pathways beyond federal employment
Why Ranked #2
VCU's cybersecurity program stands out for its strong industry partnerships with Richmond's financial sector and comprehensive hands-on training. The program's NSA designation and urban location provide students with diverse internship and career opportunities.
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA • University
Program Highlights
- • Students regularly intern at nearby federal agencies
- • Strong alumni network throughout D.C. cybersecurity community
- • Access to classified research opportunities for qualified students
- • Regular industry networking events on campus
Program Strengths
- NSA Center of Academic Excellence designation
- Prime location 20 minutes from D.C. federal agencies
- Strong connections to Fairfax County tech corridor
- Comprehensive cybersecurity curriculum with specialization tracks
- Active partnerships with defense contractors
- Diverse faculty with active federal security clearances
Why Ranked #3
George Mason's prime D.C. metro location provides unmatched access to federal cybersecurity agencies and contractors. The program's NSA designation and proximity to Fairfax County's tech corridor create exceptional networking and career opportunities.
Virginia's Cybersecurity University Landscape
Virginia's cybersecurity education strength stems from its diverse public university system and strategic private institutions. The state university system includes flagship programs at Virginia Tech and UVA, comprehensive programs across regional universities, and specialized offerings at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
The Virginia public university system offers in-state students exceptional value, with tuition ranging from $9,000 to $17,000 annually. Eight Virginia universities hold NSA Center of Academic Excellence designations, more than most states achieve across all their institutions combined.
- Virginia Tech: Premier research university with comprehensive cybersecurity research facilities
- University of Virginia: Traditional flagship with growing cybersecurity focus
- George Mason: Strategic D.C. metro location with federal agency partnerships
- Virginia Commonwealth: Urban program with strong industry connections
- James Madison: Regional university with excellent undergraduate focus
- Old Dominion: Norfolk location serving military and defense contractor communities
- Norfolk State: HBCU with strong diversity initiatives in cybersecurity
- Virginia State: HBCU providing pathways for underrepresented students
Private institutions like Liberty University and Marymount University offer alternative approaches, with Marymount's Arlington location providing additional D.C. access. These programs often feature smaller class sizes and personalized attention, though at higher tuition costs.
NSA Centers of Academic Excellence in Virginia
Virginia leads the nation in NSA-designated cybersecurity programs, with eight universities holding Center of Academic Excellence status. This designation indicates programs meet rigorous NSA curriculum standards and maintain faculty with appropriate security clearances and expertise.
- Virginia Tech - CAE-Cyber Defense and CAE-Research designations
- George Mason University - CAE-Cyber Defense
- Virginia Commonwealth University - CAE-Cyber Defense
- James Madison University - CAE-Cyber Defense
- Old Dominion University - CAE-Cyber Defense
- Norfolk State University - CAE-Cyber Defense
- Virginia State University - CAE-Cyber Defense
- Marymount University - CAE-Cyber Defense (private institution)
NSA designation provides students with enhanced career opportunities, including eligibility for federal scholarships, priority consideration for federal internships, and direct recruitment pathways to national security agencies. Many NSA-designated programs also offer pathways to security clearances, essential for federal cybersecurity careers.
Career Paths
Cybersecurity Analyst
SOC 15-1212Monitor networks for security breaches, investigate violations, and implement security measures. High demand in federal agencies and defense contractors.
Information Security Manager
Lead cybersecurity teams and develop organizational security policies. Common in federal agencies and large corporations.
Incident Response Specialist
Handle cybersecurity emergencies and forensic investigations. Critical role in government and defense sectors.
Penetration Tester
Conduct authorized security testing to identify vulnerabilities. High-demand skill for consulting and federal contracts.
Federal Cybersecurity Specialist
Specialized roles within NSA, CIA, FBI, and other federal agencies. Requires security clearance but offers exceptional job security.
Cybersecurity Programs in Other States
California
Texas
New York
Florida
Washington
Illinois
| Factor | In-State Public | Out-of-State Public | Private Universities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Annual Tuition | $12,500 | $32,000 | $35,000 |
| NSA Designations Available | 7 programs | 7 programs | 1 program |
| Federal Agency Access | Excellent | Excellent | Good |
| Class Sizes | Medium (25-40) | Medium (25-40) | Small (15-25) |
| Research Opportunities | High | High | Medium |
| Alumni Network (Federal) | Strong | Strong | Moderate |
Which Should You Choose?
- You want access to federal cybersecurity careers
- NSA Center of Academic Excellence designation matters to you
- You're seeking in-state tuition value at top-tier programs
- Proximity to D.C. and federal agencies appeals to you
- You want hands-on experience with government-level cybersecurity
- Defense contractor internships align with your goals
- You prefer private sector cybersecurity over government
- West Coast tech companies are your primary interest
- You want larger program sizes and more electives
- In-state residency requirements are challenging to meet
- You prefer urban campus environments over college towns
- International cybersecurity experience is a priority
Virginia Cybersecurity Programs FAQ
Related Cybersecurity Resources
Data Sources and Methodology
Graduation rates, tuition costs, and enrollment data for all accredited institutions
State-specific salary data for cybersecurity and information security occupations
Official list of designated cybersecurity programs meeting NSA standards
State higher education data and program information
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.