Top 3 Cybersecurity Programs in West Virginia 2025
American Public University System
137 cybersecurity graduates annually, N/A% graduation rate
Valley College-Martinsburg
17 cybersecurity graduates annually, N/A% graduation rate
West Virginia Junior College-Morgantown
15 cybersecurity graduates annually, N/A% graduation rate
- 1.West Virginia offers 12+ accredited cybersecurity programs across public and private universities
- 2.American Public University System leads with strong% graduation rate
- 3.West Virginia software developers earn median $86,540 annually (BLS OES 2024)
- 4.Tech opportunities concentrated in Charleston, Morgantown, Huntington
- 5.Cost of living index: 88.6% of US average (below average)
Cybersecurity Education in West Virginia: Overview
West Virginia offers 12 accredited cybersecurity programs, producing approximately 286 graduates annually. The state's tech industry is centered in Charleston, Morgantown, Huntington, with major employers including Leidos, Northrop Grumman, FBI CJIS.
With a median software developer salary of $86,540 (BLS OES May 2024) and a cost of living index of 88.6% compared to the US average, West Virginia offers above-average purchasing power for tech workers.
The top cybersecurity programs in the state are led by American Public University System, Valley College-Martinsburg, West Virginia Junior College-Morgantown, each offering distinct advantages in terms of program size, graduation rates, and industry connections.
West Virginia Cybersecurity Programs Rankings 2025
| Rank | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | American Public University System | Charles Town, WV | For-Profit | $8,400 | — | 72.8 |
| 2 | Valley College-Martinsburg | Martinsburg, WV | For-Profit | $0 | — | 46.7 |
| 3 | West Virginia Junior College-Morgantown | Morgantown, WV | For-Profit | $12,767 | — | 46 |
| 4 | West Virginia Junior College-Charleston | Cross Lanes, WV | For-Profit | $12,795 | — | 44.3 |
| 5 | West Virginia University | Morgantown, WV | Public | $9,648 | — | 41.2 |
| 6 | West Virginia Junior College-Bridgeport | Bridgeport, WV | For-Profit | $12,976 | — | 40.4 |
| 7 | Marshall University | Huntington, WV | Public | $7,372 | — | 37.5 |
| 8 | Strayer University-West Virginia | Scott Depot, WV | For-Profit | $13,725 | — | 37.4 |
| 9 | Blue Ridge Community and Technical College | Martinsburg, WV | Public | $434 | — | 35.5 |
| 10 | New River Community and Technical College | Beaver, WV | Public | $5,158 | — | 31.6 |
| 11 | BridgeValley Community & Technical College | South Charleston, WV | Public | $4,682 | — | 31.3 |
| 12 | West Virginia Northern Community College | Wheeling, WV | Public | $3,720 | — | 29.6 |
Top 5 Cybersecurity Programs in West Virginia: Side-by-Side
| School | American Public Universit... | Valley College-Martinsburg | West Virginia Junior... | West Virginia Junior... | West Virginia |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 |
| In-State Tuition | $8,400 | $0 | $12,767 | $12,795 | $9,648 |
| Graduation Rate | N/A% | N/A% | N/A% | N/A% | N/A% |
| Annual Graduates | 137 | 17 | 15 | 11 | 22 |
| Acceptance Rate | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 86% |
| Type | For-Profit | For-Profit | For-Profit | For-Profit | Public |
| Score | 72.8/100 | 46.7/100 | 46.0/100 | 44.3/100 | 41.2/100 |
Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Cybersecurity in West Virginia
West Virginia offers 3 bachelor's-level cybersecurity programs. The top schools for undergraduate study are American Public University System, West Virginia University, Marshall University. These programs prepare students for entry-level positions paying approximately $60,578 in the West Virginia market.
A bachelor's in cybersecurity typically requires 120-128 credit hours and takes 4 years to complete. For national rankings, see our Best Cybersecurity Bachelor's Programs guide.
Top 3 Cybersecurity Bachelor's Programs in West Virginia
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 American Public Universit... | $8,400 | N/A% | 410 | 72.8 |
| #2 West Virginia | $9,648 | N/A% | 12 | 33.2 |
| #3 Marshall | $7,372 | N/A% | 17 | 37.5 |
Top Cybersecurity Schools for Master's Degrees in West Virginia
For graduate study, West Virginia offers 4 master's-level cybersecurity programs. Leading institutions include American Public University System, West Virginia University, Strayer University-West Virginia. A master's degree can boost earning potential by 15-25%, with senior roles in West Virginia reaching $112,502 or more.
Explore our complete national rankings of the best cybersecurity master's programs for more options beyond West Virginia.
Top 3 Cybersecurity Master's Programs in West Virginia
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 American Public Universit... | $8,400 | N/A% | 178 | 72.8 |
| #2 West Virginia | $9,648 | N/A% | 22 | 41.2 |
| #3 Strayer University-West... | $13,725 | N/A% | 1 | 37.0 |
Most Affordable Cybersecurity Colleges in West Virginia
For budget-conscious students, the most affordable cybersecurity programs in West Virginia are at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College ($434/year), West Virginia Northern Community College ($3,720/year), BridgeValley Community & Technical College ($4,682/year). These programs offer strong ROI given West Virginia's competitive tech salaries.
At Blue Ridge Community and Technical College, a 4-year degree costs approximately $1,736 in tuition alone. With entry-level salaries around $60,578, graduates can typically recoup their investment within 0.1 years. See our Most Affordable Cybersecurity Programs for national comparisons.
Most Affordable Cybersecurity Programs in West Virginia (with ROI)
| School | Annual Tuition | 4-Year Cost | Payback Period | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Blue Ridge Community and... | $434 | $1,736 | 0.1 years | Public |
| #2 West Virginia Northern... | $3,720 | $14,880 | 0.6 years | Public |
| #3 BridgeValley Community &... | $4,682 | $18,728 | 0.7 years | Public |
Detailed Program Spotlights: Inside the Top 5 Cybersecurity Schools in West Virginia
Below are detailed profiles of the top 5 cybersecurity programs in West Virginia, including admissions requirements, curriculum highlights, career outcomes, and what makes each program unique. Data sourced from official university websites and IPEDS 2023.
American Public University System
Charles Town, WV • For-Profit
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $8,400 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Cybersecurity Graduates: 137 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: N/A%
- • Ranking Score: 72.8 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 137 cybersecurity graduates annually
- For-Profit institution
- Overall score: 72.8 / 100
Why Ranked #1
Ranked #1 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (137 graduates), state salary outcomes ($86,540), and selectivity (N/A% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Valley College-Martinsburg
Martinsburg, WV • For-Profit
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $0 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Cybersecurity Graduates: 17 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: N/A%
- • Ranking Score: 46.7 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 17 cybersecurity graduates annually
- For-Profit institution
- Overall score: 46.7 / 100
Why Ranked #2
Ranked #2 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (17 graduates), state salary outcomes ($86,540), and selectivity (N/A% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
West Virginia Junior College-Morgantown
Morgantown, WV • For-Profit
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $12,767 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Cybersecurity Graduates: 15 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: N/A%
- • Ranking Score: 46.0 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 15 cybersecurity graduates annually
- For-Profit institution
- Overall score: 46.0 / 100
Why Ranked #3
Ranked #3 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (15 graduates), state salary outcomes ($86,540), and selectivity (N/A% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
West Virginia Junior College-Charleston
Cross Lanes, WV • For-Profit
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $12,795 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Cybersecurity Graduates: 11 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: N/A%
- • Ranking Score: 44.3 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 11 cybersecurity graduates annually
- For-Profit institution
- Overall score: 44.3 / 100
Why Ranked #4
Ranked #4 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (11 graduates), state salary outcomes ($86,540), and selectivity (N/A% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $9,648 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Cybersecurity Graduates: 22 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 86%
- • Ranking Score: 41.2 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 22 cybersecurity graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 41.2 / 100
Why Ranked #5
Ranked #5 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (22 graduates), state salary outcomes ($86,540), and selectivity (86% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Career Paths
Security Analyst
SOC 15-1212Security Analyst opportunities in West Virginia with strong job growth.
Penetration Tester
SOC 15-1212Penetration Tester opportunities in West Virginia with strong job growth.
Security Engineer
SOC 15-1212Security Engineer opportunities in West Virginia with strong job growth.
Incident Responder
SOC 15-1212Incident Responder opportunities in West Virginia with strong job growth.
Cybersecurity Programs in Other States
California
Texas
New York
Florida
Washington
Massachusetts
Illinois
Georgia
Which Should You Choose?
- You want access to tech jobs in Charleston, Morgantown, Huntington
- You're seeking lower cost of living (88.6% of US average)
- You want to work at companies like Leidos or Northrop Grumman
- You prefer West Virginia's quality of life
- You prioritize highest possible salary (consider CA, WA, NY)
- You want more program options (CA has 100+ vs West Virginia's 12)
- You're looking for major coastal tech hub concentration
Cybersecurity in West Virginia FAQ
Based on 12 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Cybersecurity degree completions indicating program size, faculty, and resources (IPEDS 2023)
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023
Admission rate from IPEDS 2023 (lower = more selective)
West Virginia-specific salaries from BLS OES May 2024
Related Resources
Data Sources & Methodology
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System - program completions, graduation rates, tuition, admissions
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics - West Virginia salary data
2023-2033 occupational outlook and growth projections
Program-specific admissions, curriculum, and career outcome data
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.