Compare 187 accredited online information security degree programs using data from IPEDS 2024 and BLS 2024. Our rankings analyze graduation rates, tuition costs, student-faculty ratios, and cybersecurity career outcomes.
$129,180 median salary · 84% graduation rate
$129,180 median salary
$129,180 median salary · 75% graduation rate
$129,180 median salary · 57% graduation rate
$129,180 median salary · 63% graduation rate
$129,180 median salary · 57% graduation rate
$129,180 median salary · 71% graduation rate
$129,180 median salary · 57% graduation rate
$129,180 median salary · 50% graduation rate
$129,180 median salary · 52% graduation rate
Hakia ranks Syracuse University's online bachelor's information security program #1. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: fully online. Location: Syracuse, NY | Type: Private nonprofit | Tuition: $63,710/year | Graduation Rate: 84% | Median Salary: $129,180 | Score: 91.6
Hakia ranks Excelsior University's online bachelor's information security program #2. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: fully online. Location: Albany, NY | Type: Private nonprofit | Median Salary: $129,180 | Score: 87.4
Hakia ranks University of Cincinnati-Main Campus's online bachelor's information security program #3. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: fully online. Location: Cincinnati, OH | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,685/year | Graduation Rate: 75% | Median Salary: $129,180 | Score: 86.2
Hakia ranks American Public University System's online bachelor's information security program #4. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: fully online. Location: Charles Town, WV | Type: Private for-profit | Tuition: $8,400/year | Graduation Rate: 57% | Median Salary: $129,180 | Score: 85.7
Hakia ranks University of New Haven's online bachelor's information security program #5. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: fully online. Location: West Haven, CT | Type: Private nonprofit | Tuition: $45,644/year | Graduation Rate: 63% | Median Salary: $129,180 | Score: 82.6
Hakia ranks University of Missouri-St Louis's online bachelor's information security program #6. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: fully online. Location: Saint Louis, MO | Type: Public | Tuition: $15,120/year | Graduation Rate: 57% | Median Salary: $129,180 | Score: 82.0
Hakia ranks Sullivan University's online bachelor's information security program #7. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: fully online. Location: Louisville, KY | Type: Private for-profit | Tuition: $15,480/year | Graduation Rate: 71% | Median Salary: $129,180 | Score: 81.8
Hakia ranks Monroe University's online bachelor's information security program #8. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: fully online. Location: Bronx, NY | Type: Private for-profit | Tuition: $16,344/year | Graduation Rate: 57% | Median Salary: $129,180 | Score: 81.2
Hakia ranks Purdue University Global's online bachelor's information security program #9. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: fully online. Location: West Lafayette, IN | Type: Public | Tuition: $10,080/year | Graduation Rate: 50% | Median Salary: $129,180 | Score: 80.8
Hakia ranks Kennesaw State University's online bachelor's information security program #10. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: fully online. Location: Kennesaw, GA | Type: Public | Tuition: $4,560/year | Graduation Rate: 52% | Median Salary: $129,180 | Score: 80.5
| School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 University at Albany | Albany, NY | Public | $7,070 | 99% | 100.0/100 |
| #2 University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA | Private | $66,640 | 92% | 99.2/100 |
| #3 Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus | University Park, PA | Public | $19,672 | 87% | 94.5/100 |
| #4 Rochester Institute of Technology | Rochester, NY | Private | $55,784 | 90% | 93.8/100 |
| #5 CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice | New York, NY | Public | $6,930 | 90% | 90.9/100 |
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 Syracuse UniversitySyracuse, NY · Private nonprofit | Online | $63,710 | 84% | $129,180 | 91.6 |
| #2 | Bachelor's in Information Security Excelsior UniversityAlbany, NY · Private nonprofit | Online | — | — | $129,180 | 87.4 |
| #3 | Bachelor's in Information Security University of Cincinnati-Main CampusCincinnati, OH · Public | Online | $11,685 | 75% | $129,180 | 86.2 |
| #4 | Bachelor's in Information Security American Public University SystemCharles Town, WV · Private for-profit | Online | $8,400 | 57% | $129,180 | 85.7 |
| #5 | Bachelor's in Information Security University of New HavenWest Haven, CT · Private nonprofit | Online | $45,644 | 63% | $129,180 | 82.6 |
| #6 | Bachelor's in Information Security University of Missouri-St LouisSaint Louis, MO · Public | Online | $15,120 | 57% | $129,180 | 82.0 |
| #7 | Bachelor's in Information Security Sullivan UniversityLouisville, KY · Private for-profit | Online | $15,480 | 71% | $129,180 | 81.8 |
| #8 | Bachelor's in Information Security Monroe UniversityBronx, NY · Private for-profit | Online | $16,344 | 57% | $129,180 | 81.2 |
| #9 | Bachelor's in Information Security Purdue University GlobalWest Lafayette, IN · Public | Online | $10,080 | 50% | $129,180 | 80.8 |
| #10 | Bachelor's in Information Security Kennesaw State UniversityKennesaw, GA · Public | Online | $4,560 | 52% | $129,180 | 80.5 |
| #11 | Bachelor's in Information Security Northwood UniversityMidland, MI · Private nonprofit | Online | $32,800 | 63% | $129,180 | 80.4 |
| #12 | Bachelor's in Information Security Western Governors UniversitySalt Lake City, UT · Private nonprofit | Online | $8,180 | 46% | $129,180 | 79.5 |
| #13 | Bachelor's in Information Security University of MaryBismarck, ND · Private nonprofit | Online | $19,940 | 67% | $129,180 | 79.4 |
| #14 | Bachelor's in Information Security Dakota State UniversityMadison, SD · Public | Online | $7,616 | 51% | $129,180 | 75.8 |
| #15 | Bachelor's in Information Security St Petersburg CollegeSt. Petersburg, FL · Public | Online | $1,943 | 38% | $129,180 | 75.3 |
| #16 | Bachelor's in Information Security Western Michigan UniversityKalamazoo, MI · Public | Online | $15,861 | 58% | $129,180 | 74.9 |
| #17 | Bachelor's in Information Security Liberty UniversityLynchburg, VA · Private nonprofit | Online | $15,297 | 65% | $129,180 | 74.8 |
| #18 | Bachelor's in Information Security California Institute of Arts & TechnologyNational City, CA · Private for-profit | Online | $21,120 | 56% | $129,180 | 74.6 |
| #19 | Bachelor's in Information Security Murray State UniversityMurray, KY · Public | Online | $8,604 | 61% | $129,180 | 74.3 |
| #20 | Bachelor's in Information Security Rasmussen University-MinnesotaSt. Cloud, MN · Private for-profit | Online | $10,595 | 53% | $129,180 | 73.8 |
| #21 | Bachelor's in Information Security Miller-Motte College-ChattanoogaChattanooga, TN · Private for-profit | Online | — | 60% | $129,180 | 73.8 |
| #22 | Bachelor's in Information Security Old Dominion UniversityNorfolk, VA · Public | Online | $7,800 | 46% | $129,180 | 73.7 |
| #23 | Bachelor's in Information Security Saint Leo UniversitySaint Leo, FL · Private nonprofit | Online | $27,880 | 45% | $129,180 | 73.3 |
| #24 | Bachelor's in Information Security University of Maryland Global CampusAdelphi, MD · Public | Online | $7,776 | 33% | $129,180 | 73.2 |
| #25 | Bachelor's in Information Security SANS Technology InstituteNorth Bethesda, MD · Private for-profit | Online | $20,250 | — | $129,180 | 72.8 |
| #26 | Bachelor's in Information Security Platt College-Los AngelesAlhambra, CA · Private for-profit | Online | $14,847 | 63% | $129,180 | 72.2 |
| #27 | Bachelor's in Information Security Regis UniversityDenver, CO · Private nonprofit | Online | $23,700 | 61% | $129,180 | 71.9 |
| #28 | Bachelor's in Information Security Columbia Southern UniversityOrange Beach, AL · Private for-profit | Online | $5,944 | 33% | $129,180 | 71.9 |
| #29 | Bachelor's in Information Security Northwest Missouri State UniversityMaryville, MO · Public | Online | $6,713 | 54% | $129,180 | 71.8 |
| #30 | Bachelor's in Information Security McKendree UniversityLebanon, IL · Private nonprofit | Online | $33,310 | 53% | $129,180 | 71.7 |
| #31 | Bachelor's in Information Security University of Illinois SpringfieldSpringfield, IL · Public | Online | $9,950 | 53% | $129,180 | 70.9 |
| #32 | Bachelor's in Information Security University of Phoenix-ArizonaPhoenix, AZ · Private for-profit | Online | $9,552 | 21% | $129,180 | 70.3 |
| #33 | Bachelor's in Information Security Mercy UniversityDobbs Ferry, NY · Private nonprofit | Online | $21,980 | 46% | $129,180 | 70.1 |
| #34 | Bachelor's in Information Security Bellevue UniversityBellevue, NE · Private nonprofit | Online | $12,123 | 33% | $129,180 | 69.9 |
| #35 | Bachelor's in Information Security University of Arkansas GranthamLIttle Rock, AR · Public | Online | $7,320 | 43% | $129,180 | 69.1 |
| #36 | Bachelor's in Information Security Davenport UniversityGrand Rapids, MI · Private nonprofit | Online | $23,376 | 57% | $129,180 | 69.0 |
| #37 | Bachelor's in Information Security Capella UniversityMinneapolis, MN · Private for-profit | Online | $14,400 | 20% | $129,180 | 68.9 |
| #38 | Bachelor's in Information Security Ashford UniversitySan Diego, CA · Private for-profit | Online | $11,040 | 11% | $129,180 | 68.5 |
| #39 | Bachelor's in Information Security Saint Cloud State UniversitySaint Cloud, MN · Public | Online | $8,811 | 40% | $129,180 | 68.1 |
| #40 | Bachelor's in Information Security Wilmington UniversityNew Castle, DE · Private nonprofit | Online | $12,570 | 20% | $129,180 | 67.8 |
| #41 | Bachelor's in Information Security Troy UniversityTroy, AL · Public | Online | $10,176 | 50% | $129,180 | 67.6 |
| #42 | Bachelor's in Information Security Bluefield UniversityBluefield, VA · Private nonprofit | Online | $24,950 | 18% | $129,180 | 67.2 |
| #43 | Bachelor's in Information Security Rasmussen University-FloridaOcala, FL · Private for-profit | Online | $14,024 | 42% | $129,180 | 66.9 |
| #44 | Bachelor's in Information Security Southern New Hampshire UniversityManchester, NH · Private nonprofit | Online | $16,200 | 43% | $129,180 | 66.9 |
| #45 | Bachelor's in Information Security Baker CollegeOwosso, MI · Private nonprofit | Online | $12,600 | 36% | $129,180 | 66.2 |
| #46 | Bachelor's in Information Security Colorado Technical University-Colorado SpringsColorado Springs, CO · Private for-profit | Online | $12,090 | 19% | $129,180 | 65.6 |
| #47 | Bachelor's in Information Security Franklin UniversityColumbus, OH · Private nonprofit | Online | $9,552 | 11% | $129,180 | 65.3 |
| #48 | Bachelor's in Information Security Red Rocks Community CollegeLakewood, CO · Public | Online | $4,058 | 32% | $129,180 | 64.9 |
| #49 | Bachelor's in Information Security SUNY College of Technology at CantonCanton, NY · Public | Online | $7,070 | 38% | $129,180 | 64.9 |
| #50 | Bachelor's in Information Security Pueblo Community CollegePueblo, CO · Public | Online | $4,058 | 31% | $129,180 | 64.2 |
Showing all 50 ranked programs.
The total cost of a online's degree in Information Security ranges from $38,000 at public universities to over $168,000 at elite private institutions. Financial aid, scholarships, and in-state tuition significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs (IPEDS 2024-24, Research.com).
With median starting salaries of $124,910, most graduates achieve positive ROI within 3-5 years. Financial aid recipients often pay 30-50% less than sticker price.
Enter your details to estimate your degree return on investment
Leave blank to use average cost for selected program type
+907%
Net gain divided by total investment. ROI above 200% is considered excellent for education investments.
$1,677,254
Your additional lifetime earnings with this degree vs. working without one, minus the total investment.
5 years
Years until your cumulative earnings exceed total investment. Shorter programs often break even faster due to lower opportunity cost.
$133,333
Your starting salary adjusted for local cost of living. This shows real purchasing power compared to a $100K national baseline.
Why does break-even change with program type? Your "total investment" includes both tuition AND opportunity cost (foregone earnings while in school). A 4-year full-time public university (in-state) means 4 years of not earning a salary ($140,000 in opportunity cost). Shorter full-time programs may have higher tuition but lower total investment because you return to the workforce sooner.
How we calculate your degree ROI using real salary data
Tuition plus opportunity cost (earnings you miss while in school)
Direct cost of the degree program
4 years × $35K/year foregone salary while studying full-time
Projected career earnings starting after graduation, with salary growth
What you'd earn working at $35K/year with 2% annual growth
Median salary for this role in your selected location (BLS 2024)
Your investment's compound annual growth rate (similar to stock market returns)
Data sources: BLS OEWS May 2024, IPEDS 2024. Calculations use median salaries, 3% discount rate, and assume salary growth declines from 6% to 2% over career. Individual results will vary. | Powered by Hakia.com
Online information security degree programs prepare students for critical cybersecurity roles through comprehensive curricula covering network security, ethical hacking, digital forensics, and risk management. These programs require 120 credit hours and include hands-on virtual labs, industry certifications, and capstone projects that simulate real-world security challenges.
The best online programs maintain the same academic rigor as on-campus counterparts while offering flexibility for working professionals. Students engage with industry-standard tools like Wireshark, Nessus, and Metasploit through virtual environments, ensuring graduates are job-ready upon completion. Many programs also prepare students for industry certifications such as CompTIA Security+, CISSP, and CEH.
Career outcomes for online information security graduates are strong, with cybersecurity analyst salaries averaging $78,500 for entry-level positions and reaching $115,000+ for experienced professionals. The field offers multiple specialization paths including penetration testing, security architecture, and compliance management, with opportunities across industries from healthcare to finance.
Oversee security programs, manage security teams, and develop organizational security policies. Requires 3-5 years experience and leadership skills.
Conduct authorized attacks on systems to identify vulnerabilities. Highly specialized role requiring advanced technical skills and ethical hacking expertise.
Design secure systems and networks, create security standards, and oversee implementation of security measures across organizations.
Respond to security breaches, conduct forensic analysis, and coordinate recovery efforts. Critical role requiring strong analytical and communication skills.
Ensure organizational adherence to security regulations and standards like HIPAA, SOX, and PCI DSS. Growing importance across all industries.
Online information security students have access to the same federal financial aid as on-campus students, including Pell Grants, federal student loans, and work-study programs. Many employers offer tuition reimbursement for cybersecurity education due to high demand for security professionals.
Several scholarships specifically target cybersecurity students, including the CyberSeek.org scholarship database and industry-sponsored programs from companies like Cisco, Microsoft, and IBM. Veterans can use GI Bill benefits for online programs, with many schools offering additional military discounts and support services.
For comprehensive financial aid guidance, review our FAFSA guide for STEM majors and explore employer tuition reimbursement strategies to minimize out-of-pocket costs.
Based on 742 programs from IPEDS 2024
Syracuse University's Bachelor's in Information Security tops our list of 50 online information security programs. We fold federal graduation, admissions, salary, and tuition figures into a single 0 to 100 score applied identically to every school. All 50 can be completed fully online.
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.
Federal database providing official higher education statistics including enrollment, graduation rates, and tuition data
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics providing salary data for cybersecurity roles
Official directory of NSA-designated cybersecurity academic programs
Department of Education database with employment and earning outcomes for college programs
The following detailed profiles examine what makes the top 5 online information security programs stand out. Each analysis considers curriculum quality, student support systems, industry partnerships, and career outcomes based on institutional data and student feedback.
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.