Rankings of top information security bachelor's degree programs based on academics, career outcomes, and value
$129,180 median salary · 83% graduation rate
$129,180 median salary · 77% graduation rate
$129,180 median salary · 91% graduation rate
$129,180 median salary · 86% graduation rate
$129,180 median salary · 84% graduation rate
$129,180 median salary · 81% graduation rate
$129,180 median salary · 87% graduation rate
$129,180 median salary · 87% graduation rate
$129,180 median salary · 86% graduation rate
$129,180 median salary · 93% graduation rate
Hakia ranks Purdue University-Main Campus's bachelor's information security program #1. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: West Lafayette, IN | Type: Public | Tuition: $9,718/year | Graduation Rate: 83% | Median Salary: $129,180 | Score: 96.1
Hakia ranks University of South Florida's bachelor's information security program #2. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Tampa, FL | Type: Public | Tuition: $4,559/year | Graduation Rate: 77% | Median Salary: $129,180 | Score: 95.3
Hakia ranks Northeastern University's bachelor's information security program #3. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Boston, MA | Type: Private nonprofit | Tuition: $64,990/year | Graduation Rate: 91% | Median Salary: $129,180 | Score: 95.2
Hakia ranks Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus's bachelor's information security program #4. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: University Park, PA | Type: Public | Tuition: $20,066/year | Graduation Rate: 86% | Median Salary: $129,180 | Score: 94.1
Hakia ranks George Washington University's bachelor's information security program #5. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Washington, DC | Type: Private nonprofit | Tuition: $67,420/year | Graduation Rate: 84% | Median Salary: $129,180 | Score: 93.6
Hakia ranks Brigham Young University's bachelor's information security program #6. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Provo, UT | Type: Private nonprofit | Tuition: $6,688/year | Graduation Rate: 81% | Median Salary: $129,180 | Score: 93.2
Hakia ranks United States Military Academy's bachelor's information security program #7. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: West Point, NY | Type: Public | Graduation Rate: 87% | Median Salary: $129,180 | Score: 93.0
Hakia ranks Stevens Institute of Technology's bachelor's information security program #8. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Hoboken, NJ | Type: Private nonprofit | Tuition: $61,028/year | Graduation Rate: 87% | Median Salary: $129,180 | Score: 92.5
Hakia ranks Tulane University of Louisiana's bachelor's information security program #9. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: New Orleans, LA | Type: Private nonprofit | Tuition: $64,372/year | Graduation Rate: 86% | Median Salary: $129,180 | Score: 92.2
Hakia ranks United States Coast Guard Academy's bachelor's information security program #10. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: New London, CT | Type: Public | Graduation Rate: 93% | Median Salary: $129,180 | Score: 91.9
| School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Purdue University-Main Campus | West Lafayette, IN | Public | $9,718 | 83% | 75.5/100 |
| #2 Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus | University Park, PA | Public | $19,672 | 87% | 71.8/100 |
| #3 University of South Florida | Tampa, FL | Public | $4,559 | 85% | 68.8/100 |
| #4 Rochester Institute of Technology | Rochester, NY | Private | $55,784 | 90% | 67.5/100 |
| #5 University of Maryland Global Campus | Adelphi, MD | Public | $7,632 | 74% | 67.2/100 |
Data from IPEDS 2024. Tuition shown is in-state for public schools.
| Rank | Program & School | Delivery | Annual Tuition | Grad Rate | Median Salary | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Bachelor's in Information Security Purdue University-Main CampusWest Lafayette, IN · Public | On-campus | $9,718 | 83% | $129,180 | 96.1 |
| #2 | Bachelor's in Information Security University of South FloridaTampa, FL · Public | On-campus | $4,559 | 77% | $129,180 | 95.3 |
| #3 | Bachelor's in Information Security Northeastern UniversityBoston, MA · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $64,990 | 91% | $129,180 | 95.2 |
| #4 | Bachelor's in Information Security Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusUniversity Park, PA · Public | On-campus | $20,066 | 86% | $129,180 | 94.1 |
| #5 | Bachelor's in Information Security George Washington UniversityWashington, DC · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $67,420 | 84% | $129,180 | 93.6 |
| #6 | Bachelor's in Information Security Brigham Young UniversityProvo, UT · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $6,688 | 81% | $129,180 | 93.2 |
| #7 | Bachelor's in Information Security United States Military AcademyWest Point, NY · Public | On-campus | — | 87% | $129,180 | 93.0 |
| #8 | Bachelor's in Information Security Stevens Institute of TechnologyHoboken, NJ · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $61,028 | 87% | $129,180 | 92.5 |
| #9 | Bachelor's in Information Security Tulane University of LouisianaNew Orleans, LA · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $64,372 | 86% | $129,180 | 92.2 |
| #10 | Bachelor's in Information Security United States Coast Guard AcademyNew London, CT · Public | On-campus | — | 93% | $129,180 | 91.9 |
| #11 | Bachelor's in Information Security Florida International UniversityMiami, FL · Public | On-campus | $4,721 | 74% | $129,180 | 91.8 |
| #12 | Bachelor's in Information Security Syracuse UniversitySyracuse, NY · Private nonprofit | Online | $63,710 | 84% | $129,180 | 91.6 |
| #13 | Bachelor's in Information Security University of MiamiCoral Gables, FL · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $60,720 | 84% | $129,180 | 91.2 |
| #14 | Bachelor's in Information Security Bentley UniversityWaltham, MA · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $61,000 | 87% | $129,180 | 90.7 |
| #15 | Bachelor's in Information Security University of North Carolina WilmingtonWilmington, NC · Public | On-campus | $4,443 | 71% | $129,180 | 89.9 |
| #16 | Bachelor's in Information Security University of RichmondUniversity of Richmond, VA · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $65,230 | 85% | $129,180 | 89.9 |
| #17 | Bachelor's in Information Security Rochester Institute of TechnologyRochester, NY · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $58,260 | 70% | $129,180 | 89.6 |
| #18 | Bachelor's in Information Security Marist UniversityPoughkeepsie, NY · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $46,920 | 80% | $129,180 | 89.5 |
| #19 | Bachelor's in Information Security Touro UniversityNew York, NY · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $19,472 | 72% | $129,180 | 89.4 |
| #20 | Bachelor's in Information Security The University of TampaTampa, FL · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $32,096 | 64% | $129,180 | 88.8 |
| #21 | Bachelor's in Information Security Illinois Institute of TechnologyChicago, IL · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $50,636 | 75% | $129,180 | 88.8 |
| #22 | Bachelor's in Information Security Citadel Military College of South CarolinaCharleston, SC · Public | On-campus | $8,356 | 75% | $129,180 | 88.6 |
| #23 | Bachelor's in Information Security Excelsior UniversityAlbany, NY · Private nonprofit | Online | — | — | $129,180 | 87.4 |
| #24 | Bachelor's in Information Security University of TulsaTulsa, OK · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $48,340 | 72% | $129,180 | 87.1 |
| #25 | Bachelor's in Information Security Drexel UniversityPhiladelphia, PA · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $60,042 | 78% | $129,180 | 87.1 |
| #26 | Bachelor's in Information Security University of Cincinnati-Main CampusCincinnati, OH · Public | Online | $11,685 | 75% | $129,180 | 86.2 |
| #27 | Bachelor's in Information Security University at AlbanyAlbany, NY · Public | On-campus | $7,070 | 61% | $129,180 | 86.0 |
| #28 | Bachelor's in Information Security Hallmark UniversitySan Antonio, TX · Private nonprofit | On-campus | — | 66% | $129,180 | 85.9 |
| #29 | Bachelor's in Information Security American Public University SystemCharles Town, WV · Private for-profit | Online | $8,400 | 57% | $129,180 | 85.7 |
| #30 | Bachelor's in Information Security Hofstra UniversityHempstead, NY · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $56,545 | 69% | $129,180 | 85.6 |
| #31 | Bachelor's in Information Security The University of AlabamaTuscaloosa, AL · Public | On-campus | $11,380 | 73% | $129,180 | 85.1 |
| #32 | Bachelor's in Information Security University of West FloridaPensacola, FL · Public | On-campus | $3,735 | 59% | $129,180 | 85.1 |
| #33 | Bachelor's in Information Security Mercer UniversityMacon, GA · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $31,265 | 70% | $129,180 | 84.6 |
| #34 | Bachelor's in Information Security DePaul UniversityChicago, IL · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $44,601 | 68% | $129,180 | 84.3 |
| #35 | Bachelor's in Information Security St. John Fisher UniversityRochester, NY · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $40,090 | 74% | $129,180 | 84.2 |
| #36 | Bachelor's in Information Security Anderson UniversityAnderson, SC · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $34,020 | 66% | $129,180 | 83.9 |
| #37 | Bachelor's in Information Security Emmaus Bible CollegeDubuque, IA · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $20,800 | 83% | $129,180 | 83.5 |
| #38 | Bachelor's in Information Security Lipscomb UniversityNashville, TN · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $37,460 | 72% | $129,180 | 83.5 |
| #39 | Bachelor's in Information Security University of Central MissouriWarrensburg, MO · Public | On-campus | $8,550 | 54% | $129,180 | 83.4 |
| #40 | Bachelor's in Information Security CUNY John Jay College of Criminal JusticeNew York, NY · Public | On-campus | $6,930 | 56% | $129,180 | 83.1 |
| #41 | Bachelor's in Information Security Mississippi State UniversityMississippi State, MS · Public | On-campus | $10,052 | 67% | $129,180 | 82.7 |
| #42 | Bachelor's in Information Security University of New HavenWest Haven, CT · Private nonprofit | Online | $45,644 | 63% | $129,180 | 82.6 |
| #43 | Bachelor's in Information Security Union UniversityJackson, TN · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $36,005 | 66% | $129,180 | 82.6 |
| #44 | Bachelor's in Information Security Loyola University ChicagoChicago, IL · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $52,230 | 73% | $129,180 | 82.3 |
| #45 | Bachelor's in Information Security University of Michigan-DearbornDearborn, MI · Public | On-campus | $15,240 | 58% | $129,180 | 82.2 |
| #46 | Bachelor's in Information Security University of Missouri-St LouisSaint Louis, MO · Public | Online | $15,120 | 57% | $129,180 | 82.0 |
| #47 | Bachelor's in Information Security Sullivan UniversityLouisville, KY · Private for-profit | Online | $15,480 | 71% | $129,180 | 81.8 |
| #48 | Bachelor's in Information Security University of North TexasDenton, TX · Public | On-campus | $8,319 | 61% | $129,180 | 81.5 |
| #49 | Bachelor's in Information Security NUC UniversityBayamon, PR · Private for-profit | On-campus | $11,885 | 54% | $129,180 | 81.4 |
| #50 | Bachelor's in Information Security Southeast Missouri State UniversityCape Girardeau, MO · Public | On-campus | $8,559 | 58% | $129,180 | 81.3 |
Showing all 50 ranked programs.
A Information Security bachelor's degree requires no prior programming or technical experience. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, over 70% of students entering technical degree programs have no prior coding background. Programs are designed to take complete beginners to job-ready professionals over four years.
What to Expect Your First Year:
Research from Computing Research Association shows that students who engage with tutoring services and study groups in their first year have 23% higher retention rates. Most universities offer dedicated support including office hours, peer tutoring, and programming labs. Success comes from consistent practice, not prior experience.
Bachelor's programs require 40-60 credit hours of general education courses alongside your Information Security major. These requirements, mandated by regional accreditation bodies, ensure graduates develop well-rounded communication and critical thinking skills valued by employers.
Common General Education Requirements:
Pro tip: Many schools allow AP/IB credits or CLEP exams to satisfy gen-ed requirements, potentially saving $3,000-$10,000 in tuition. Check your target school's transfer credit policies before enrolling.
Top Information Security programs provide extensive support infrastructure to help students succeed. According to EDUCAUSE research, students who use campus resources are 34% more likely to graduate on time.
Essential Campus Resources:
When evaluating programs, ask about student-to-advisor ratios. The NACADA recommends no more than 300:1 for effective academic advising, though top tech programs often achieve 150:1 or better.
Information Security internships offer the highest compensation of any undergraduate major, with an average hourly wage of $24.76 according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) 2024 Report. Top-tier companies pay significantly more, often 3-5x the average rate.
Top Employers for Information Security Interns:
53% of interns receive full-time job offers from their internship employers (NACE 2024). For paid internships specifically, the conversion rate jumps to 70-75%. Most applications open August-October for the following summer, start preparing early.
For salary expectations after graduation, see our software developer salary guide.
Oversee security operations, develop policies, and manage security teams
Conduct authorized attacks on systems to identify vulnerabilities
Advise organizations on security best practices and risk management
Respond to security breaches, contain threats, and conduct forensic analysis
Ensure organizations meet regulatory requirements and security standards
Choosing between a bachelor's degree, associate's degree, or coding bootcamp depends on your career goals, timeline, and budget. Each path offers distinct advantages for entering the Information Security field.
Bachelor's Degree (4 years, $40K-$160K)
Associate's Degree (2 years, $10K-$30K)
Coding Bootcamp (12-24 weeks, $10K-$20K)
For a detailed ROI comparison, read our analysis: Bootcamp vs Master's Degree: Which Has Better ROI?
A bachelor's in Information Security provides an excellent foundation for graduate study. According to the Computing Research Association, 25% of CS bachelor's graduates pursue advanced degrees within five years of graduation, with master's holders earning 20-30% more than bachelor's-only peers.
Preparing for Graduate School During Your Bachelor's:
Graduate Degree Options:
Based on 742 programs from IPEDS 2024
Of the 50 bachelor's information security programs we rank, Purdue University-Main Campus's Bachelor's in Information Security earns the highest Hakia Score. Each is graded on real graduation, admissions, salary, and tuition data. In-state tuition across the list spans $3,735 to $67,420.
Number of graduates per year in this specific field (CIP code). Larger programs indicate established departments with more resources, course offerings, and career services. Measured from IPEDS Completions data.
Percentage of students completing their degree within 150% of expected time (6 years for bachelor's, 3 years for associate's). Higher rates indicate better student support and program quality. Source: IPEDS Graduation Rates survey.
Admission rate (lower = more selective). More selective institutions have stronger academic environments and more competitive graduates. For open-admission institutions, we use graduation rates as a proxy for quality.
National salary data for information security graduates, factored into institutional scores based on job market strength.
Overall quality using all four factors weighted as shown above. Ideal for students seeking the strongest academic experience.
Same methodology, filtered to schools with fully online or hybrid options (IPEDS Distance Education data). Some schools may have lower graduation rates due to different student demographics.
Ranked primarily by net cost (tuition minus average institutional aid), with quality factors as tiebreakers. Best for cost-conscious students.
Employment projections and salary data for information security analysts
Program data, graduation rates, and institutional information
Graduate earnings and employment outcomes by program
List of designated cybersecurity programs meeting national standards
The cybersecurity job market continues to experience unprecedented growth, with information security specialists earning a median annual salary of $112,000 (BLS Occupational Outlook). Employment in this field is projected to grow 32% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.
This explosive growth is driven by increasing cyber threats and the digital transformation of businesses across industries. Organizations are investing heavily in cybersecurity infrastructure, creating high demand for qualified professionals. The CISA National Cybersecurity Workforce Framework identifies information security as a critical specialty area within cybersecurity.
Bachelor's degree programs in information security prepare students for roles across the cybersecurity spectrum, from entry-level security analyst positions to specialized roles in penetration testing and incident response. Many graduates also pursue advanced certifications like CISSP or CompTIA Security+ to enhance their credentials.
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.