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Key Takeaways
Best information security degree programs: Ashford, Platt College-Los Angeles,
Ranked by graduation rates, program outcomes, and institutional quality
Tuition ranges from $1,104 to $66,640/year
Oxnard College offers the most affordable option at $1,340/yr
Information Security degree programs available: 29 associate's, 8 master's in California
From community college pathways to advanced research degrees
14 online information security degree programs in California
Flexible scheduling for working professionals
California community college transfer can save 40-60% on total degree costs
29 associate's programs provide transfer pathways to bachelor's degrees
Education Commission of the States
Major employers: Google, Apple, Meta, Netflix
Tech hubs in San Francisco and San Jose
Hakia Research 2026
Information Security degree programs near 230+ cities across California
Search by city to find programs within 200 miles of your location
Updated July 13, 2026
How we ranked California Information Security programs
We rank 39 accredited information security programs in California 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.
Are Information Security Degree Programs in California Worth It?
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024
Information Security Degree Rankings in California
Compare the top-ranked Information Security programs in California by degree level. Tuition, graduation rate, and Hakia Score for every accredited program.
Best Associate's Information Security Programs in California
Program Landscape
California offers 29 accredited associate's degree programs in information security, providing an affordable entry point into the technology field. The top-ranked programs include Oxnard College, Coastline Community College, Grossmont College, which combine rigorous technical curriculum with practical skills training.
Costs & Value
Community colleges in California offer these two-year programs at an average cost of $1,249/yr, significantly less than four-year university tuition. Students completing associate's degrees can pursue entry-level technical positions and transfer opportunities, with entry-level salaries averaging $80,174 in California.
Career Pathways
Many programs feature guaranteed transfer agreements with California's public universities, allowing students to complete their first two years at reduced cost before transferring to complete a bachelor's degree. The San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles areas offer particularly strong job markets for associate's degree holders, with employers like Google, Apple, Meta hiring for technical support, junior development, and IT specialist positions.
Curriculum & Specializations
Programs typically include coursework in programming fundamentals, database management, networking basics, and software development. Among information security schools in California, these associate's programs offer the best value for students beginning their information security degrees in California.
Show all 26 ranked programs
| Rank | School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #6 | Cosumnes River College | Sacramento, CA | Public | — | 40% | 85.1 |
| #7 | Riverside City College | Riverside, CA | Public | $1,380 | 37% | 84.8 |
| #8 | California Institute of Arts & Technology | National City, CA | Private for-profit | $21,120 | 56% | 84.1 |
| #9 | Institute for Business and Technology | San Jose, CA | Private for-profit | — | 84% | 83.8 |
| #10 | Grossmont College | El Cajon, CA | Public | $1,288 | 37% | 83.1 |
| #11 | American River College | Sacramento, CA | Public | — | 37% | 82.9 |
| #12 | InterCoast Colleges-West Covina | West Covina, CA | Private for-profit | — | 97% | 82.9 |
| #13 | Los Medanos College | Pittsburg, CA | Public | $1,288 | 41% | 81.2 |
| #14 | Coastline Community College | Fountain Valley, CA | Public | $1,288 | 34% | 80.5 |
| #15 | Cabrillo College | Aptos, CA | Public | $1,104 | 38% | 79.7 |
| #16 | Chaffey College | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Public | $1,104 | 36% | 79.7 |
| #17 | Sacramento City College | Sacramento, CA | Public | — | 33% | 79.4 |
| #18 | San Diego City College | San Diego, CA | Public | $1,104 | 30% | 77.7 |
| #19 | Glendale Community College | Glendale, CA | Public | $1,104 | 37% | 77.6 |
| #20 | Santa Barbara City College | Santa Barbara, CA | Public | $1,104 | 34% | 76.9 |
| #21 | Los Angeles City College | Los Angeles, CA | Public | $1,196 | 29% | 75.9 |
| #22 | Cerritos College | Norwalk, CA | Public | $1,288 | 31% | 75.7 |
| #23 | Moreno Valley College | Moreno Valley, CA | Public | $1,380 | 34% | 74.7 |
| #24 | Rio Hondo College | Whittier, CA | Public | $1,306 | 25% | 73.6 |
| #25 | Los Angeles Mission College | Sylmar, CA | Public | $1,196 | 20% | 69.2 |
| #26 | Lassen Community College | Susanville, CA | Public | $1,104 | 31% | 65.3 |
Best Bachelor's Information Security Programs in California
Program Landscape
California ranks among the nation's top destinations for information security education, with 2 accredited bachelor's degree programs across 0 public and 0 private institutions. The highest-ranked programs are Ashford, Platt College-Los Angeles, recognized for academic excellence, research opportunities, and strong industry connections.
Career Outcomes
Graduates from California information security programs earn a median salary of $123,905, 26% above the national average. The state's robust technology sector, anchored by the San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles metropolitan areas, provides abundant internship and employment opportunities with companies including Google, Apple, Meta.
Costs & Value
Tuition ranges from $12,240 to $14,804 annually, with an average of $13,522/yr. Top programs maintain graduation rates above 0%, with the highest reaching -Infinity%. Many programs hold ABET accreditation, the gold standard for computing education, ensuring curriculum meets rigorous industry standards.
Curriculum & Specializations
Students can choose from specializations including software engineering, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data science, and systems architecture. Strong industry partnerships provide access to co-op programs, capstone projects with real companies, and direct recruiting pipelines to California's leading technology employers. For students seeking information security degrees in California, these top-ranked information security schools offer the strongest combination of academic rigor and career preparation.
California Institute of Arts & Technology
Platt College-Los Angeles
Best Master's Information Security Programs in California
Program Landscape
California offers 8 master's degree programs in information security, designed for professionals seeking to advance into senior engineering, technical leadership, and specialized roles. The top programs, U of San Diego, U of Southern California, National, combine advanced technical training with research opportunities and leadership development.
Career Outcomes
Master's graduates in California earn a median salary of $145,770, approximately 20-30% higher than bachelor's degree holders. The concentration of technology companies in San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles creates strong demand for graduate-level talent, with Google, Apple, Meta actively recruiting from these programs.
Costs & Value
Program formats include traditional full-time study (typically 2 years), part-time options for working professionals (2-3 years), and accelerated tracks. Tuition averages $23,420/yr, with many employers offering tuition reimbursement for graduate education. Some programs offer thesis and non-thesis tracks, allowing students to focus on research or professional development based on their career goals.
Curriculum & Specializations
Curriculum covers advanced topics including machine learning, distributed systems, software architecture, and technical management. Many programs include practicum experiences, industry capstone projects, or consulting engagements that provide real-world application of advanced concepts. Among California's information security schools at the graduate level, these programs stand out for both academic quality and career outcomes.
Show all 10 ranked programs
| Rank | School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #6 | National University | San Diego, CA | Private nonprofit | $13,284 | 43% | 72.0 |
| #7 | California State University-San Marcos | San Marcos, CA | Public | $6,084 | 55% | 68.3 |
| #8 | Naval Postgraduate School | Monterey, CA | Public | — | — | 67.4 |
| #9 | California State University-San Bernardino | San Bernardino, CA | Public | $6,084 | 55% | 66.8 |
| #10 | California State University-Dominguez Hills | Carson, CA | Public | $6,084 | 43% | 66.4 |
Information Security Degree Costs & Tuition in California
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average in-state tuition | $6,866/year |
| Average out-of-state tuition | $17,165/year |
| Community college tuition | $1,717/year |
| 4-year savings for residents | $41,196 |
| 2+2 transfer pathway savings | $10,298 |
Source: IPEDS 2024
Financial Aid & Scholarships for Information Security Students in California
State Aid Programs
California offers strong state-funded financial aid through the Cal Grant program.
Cal Grants are California-specific financial aid that doesn't need to be repaid, helping pay for tuition and fees at qualifying institutions (California Student Aid Commission). Three types exist. Cal Grant A, B, and C, with eligibility determined by FAFSA responses, verified GPA, institution type, and whether you're a recent high school graduate. Students don't choose which grant to apply for. The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) determines eligibility automatically. Grants support students at UCs, CSUs, California Community Colleges, and qualifying private institutions.
Key Programs & Amounts
2025-26 Cal Grant award amounts by institution type:
- UC System: Cal Grant B covers up to $15,400/year (includes access award plus tuition coverage)
- CSU System: Cal Grant A provides $5,742/year toward systemwide tuition. Cal Grant B provides $7,390/year after freshman year
- Community Colleges: Cal Grant B access award of $1,648/year for living expenses (tuition is already minimal)
- Private Institutions: Variable coverage through Cal Grant A or B Federal aid complements state programs: Pell Grants provide up to $7,395 maximum for 2024-25. Federal student loans cover remaining costs after grants. Low-income students combining Cal Grant, Pell Grant, and institutional aid at CSU campuses can often cover nearly all expenses. FAFSA applications open October 1. Priority deadline for state aid is March 2, 2026.
Institutional Scholarships
Additional funding sources for information security students:
- CyberCorps Scholarship for Service (SFS): Federal program providing full tuition plus stipend in exchange for government service commitment, available at CAE-designated institutions
- CSAC programs for undocumented students: California Dream Act Application provides access to Cal Grants and state aid for DACA recipients
- Institutional scholarships: Many CS and security departments offer merit-based scholarships. Women in computing and underrepresented minority scholarships available at most institutions
- Professional organization scholarships: (ISC)2, ISSA, and ISACA offer scholarships for cybersecurity students
- Corporate sponsors: Companies like Google, Microsoft, and Cisco fund security education scholarships Apply early, many California schools have priority scholarship deadlines in November-December.
Information Security Degree ROI Calculator, California
Use our interactive ROI calculator to estimate your return on investment for a information security degree in California. Enter your expected tuition costs, financial aid, and career goals to see projected payback periods and lifetime earnings. The calculator uses current salary data from BLS and tuition data from IPEDS to provide accurate estimates.
Information Security Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your return on investment for a information security degree
Leave blank to use average cost for selected program type
+1378%
Net gain divided by total investment. ROI above 200% is considered excellent for education investments.
$2,549,181
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.
$102,778
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.
Detailed Breakdown
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
Information Security Salaries by Metro Area
Median annual salary in California metro areas
View data table
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| San Francisco | $160K |
| San Jose | $153K |
| Los Angeles | $146K |
| San Diego | $138K |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024
Hakia.com
Top Employers Hiring Information Security Graduates in California
Find information security jobs in California. These major employers across California metro areas are actively hiring information security degree holders. Click employer names to view current job openings.
Information Security Jobs in Silicon Valley
CASilicon Valley remains the global center of tech innovation. Headquarters for Google, Apple, Meta, and thousands of startups.
Nearby cities: San Jose, Palo Alto, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Cupertino, Menlo Park, Redwood City
Information Security Jobs in San Francisco
CASan Francisco is a major fintech and enterprise software hub. Salesforce Tower anchors a dense tech ecosystem.
Nearby cities: Oakland, Berkeley, Daly City, South San Francisco, San Mateo, Fremont
Information Security Jobs in Los Angeles
CALA has a diverse tech scene spanning entertainment tech, aerospace, and ecommerce. SpaceX and Snap are headquartered here.
Nearby cities: Santa Monica, Culver City, Burbank, Pasadena, Long Beach, Irvine, El Segundo
Information Security Jobs in San Diego
CASan Diego is a biotech and defense technology hub. Qualcomm is headquartered here alongside major military contractors.
Nearby cities: La Jolla, Carlsbad, Chula Vista, Oceanside, Escondido, El Cajon
California Tech Industry & Infrastructure
California concentrates roughly a third of all U.S. venture capital investment and houses the headquarters of every company in the top five U.S. tech market caps. For a CS graduate, that translates into denser-than-anywhere hiring pipelines — but it also means the supply of CS graduates is unusually large, and competition for entry-level roles at named employers is intense.
Bay Area
San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland, Berkeley
Global center for consumer internet, AI/ML research, and high-growth software startups. Entry-level total compensation at named employers regularly clears $200,000 for new bachelor's graduates from top programs.
Los Angeles
Los Angeles County
Quieter but substantial tech market centered on entertainment-tech (Netflix, Disney Streaming, Riot, Activision-Blizzard), aerospace-adjacent software (SpaceX, Anduril, Northrop), and emerging fintech and consumer-app clusters.
San Diego
San Diego County
Smaller but dense in defense, biotech-adjacent software, and Qualcomm-anchored wireless engineering.
California does not levy a separate state-level tech tax credit at scale; the federal R&D credit is the relevant lever for most tech employers.
California Regulation Affecting Information Security Graduates
Several California laws directly shape what CS graduates work on — particularly anyone joining a privacy, security, data, or AI team. These create both job market demand (compliance is a substantial employer concern) and constrain technical decisions in ways federal law does not.
California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA / CPRA)
Strongest US state privacy law. Requires explicit consumer rights around data access, deletion, and sale opt-out for any business serving California residents at scale.
Engineers joining privacy, data, or security teams at California employers engage with CCPA daily.
Read moreAB-2273 — California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act
Requires data minimization, default privacy protections, and impact assessments for online products likely to be accessed by minors.
Drove significant engineering work at every consumer internet company headquartered in California.
Read moreSB-21 and state AI guidance
California has issued executive-branch guidance on generative AI in state government and is the most active US state legislature on AI policy.
Engineers building AI products serving California users should expect material compliance overhead.
Read moreCalifornia Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA)
First US state privacy enforcement agency. Issues regulations under CCPA/CPRA and brings enforcement actions.
Tech-adjacent compliance work has grown substantially since CPPA stood up.
Read moreProfessional Engineer Licensure in California
California recognizes Professional Engineer (PE) licensure in software engineering, but it is rarely required for industry work. ABET-EAC accredited SE degrees count toward PE eligibility; ABET-CAC CS does not. Most California CS graduates never seek PE licensure.
California licensing boardCalifornia Financial Aid Programs
Cal Grant A/B/C
State grantUp to ~$12,570/yr for UC, ~$5,742/yr for CSU, ~$1,094/yr for community college
California residents pursuing undergraduate degrees with demonstrated financial need
Middle Class Scholarship
State grantVaries by income tier
California undergrads at UC and CSU with family income up to $217,000
California College Promise Grant
Community college fee waiverFull enrollment fee waiver
California residents at community college with financial need
Chafee Grant
State grantUp to $5,000/yr
Current or former foster youth pursuing vocational training or college
Transfer Pathways for Information Security Degrees in California
State Transfer System
California's transfer system ranks among the nation's best for cybersecurity students.
The California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office works cooperatively with UC and CSU systems to ensure transfer students have access to necessary coursework and services for successful transition to baccalaureate programs (ASSIST.org). The ASSIST online database serves as the official repository of articulation agreements between California Community Colleges and both UC and CSU systems. Students can search agreements by department or major to identify exactly which community college courses fulfill university requirements, eliminating guesswork from transfer planning.
How Transfers Work
Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) programs streamline the pathway.
By completing an AS-T (Associate of Science for Transfer) degree, students receive guaranteed admission to one of the 23 CSU campuses with junior standing and priority consideration at their local CSU campus. AB 928 now requires students who declare a transfer goal to be placed on an ADT pathway if one exists, maximizing success and minimizing excess units. For cybersecurity specifically, look for AS-T degrees in Computer Science, Computer Information Systems, or Cybersecurity at your community college, these provide seamless articulation with CSU information security programs.
Transfer Planning Tips
UC Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) offers additional pathways. The TAG program provides guaranteed admission to six UC campuses (UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Merced, UC Riverside, UC Santa Barbara, and UC Santa Cruz) for students who meet specific requirements. While competitive computing programs at UC Berkeley and UCLA don't participate in TAG, students can still transfer through standard admissions with strong academic records. Community college students pursuing information security should:
- 1Identify target programs early using ASSIST.org
- 2Complete foundational coursework: Programming, calculus, discrete mathematics, networking fundamentals
- 3Maintain strong GPA: Target 3.5+ for UC, 3.0+ for CSU
- 4Meet priority deadlines: Most have February-March deadlines for fall admission
- 5Consult articulation officers at both sending and receiving institutions
Information Security Job Growth in California
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook
Information Security Job Market & Salary Data in California
Employment Outlook
California's information security job market remains exceptionally strong in 2025-2026.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports about 16,000 annual openings nationwide for information security analysts, with California capturing a disproportionate share due to its massive tech industry presence (BLS OOH). The state's supply/demand ratio sits at 91%, meaning demand significantly outpaces available talent, creating leverage for qualified candidates in salary negotiations. Cyberattacks have grown in frequency and sophistication, driving employers to invest heavily in security teams. The increased use of artificial intelligence and the rise of e-commerce have further accelerated demand for enhanced security measures.
Salaries by Metro
Salaries vary significantly by metro area and specialization:
- San Francisco: $156,000-$168,000 median, with entry-level positions starting around $156,652, the highest starting salaries nationally for information security roles
- San Jose/Silicon Valley: $154,000-$180,000 median, driven by tech giants and startups alike, with equity packages often adding 20-40% to base compensation
- San Diego: $140,000-$145,000 median, with strong demand from defense contractors due to military presence and government cybersecurity operations
- Los Angeles: $135,000-$150,000 median, with entertainment industry data protection and financial services driving demand
- Sacramento: $108,000-$240,000 range depending on experience, with state government and healthcare sectors as major employers (BLS OEWS May 2024, CyberSeek)
High-Growth Sectors
High-demand specializations in California's security market include: AI-driven threat detection specialists, quantum-resistant encryption engineers, cloud security architects (Microsoft 365, Azure, AWS), penetration testers and ethical hackers, security operations center (SOC) analysts, and incident response specialists. Companies are actively recruiting for roles involving zero-trust architecture implementation, container security, and DevSecOps integration. The significant talent gap, with the US workforce able to fill only 83% of available cybersecurity positions, has led employers to prioritize skills and certifications over traditional four-year degrees, opening pathways for bootcamp graduates and career changers with relevant credentials. Explore related career paths in cybersecurity programs or data analytics.
Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)
New graduates and career changers
Senior (8+ yrs)
Technical leads and architects
Online vs On-Campus Information Security Programs in California
Online Programs
14 available in California
On-Campus Programs
Traditional classroom experience
Compare Information Security Programs in Other States
- Total Programs
- 11
- Median Tuition
- $5,000
- Total Programs
- 4
- Median Tuition
- $3,700
- Total Programs
- 20
- Median Tuition
- $2,300
- Total Programs
- 30
- Median Tuition
- $4,300
- Total Programs
- 48
- Median Tuition
- $6,200
- Total Programs
- 57
- Median Tuition
- $17,800
- Total Programs
- 20
- Median Tuition
- $44,500
- Total Programs
- 23
- Median Tuition
- $15,000
Information Security Degree Programs in California: FAQ
What are the best information security degree programs in California?
How much do information security degree programs cost in California?
What salary can information security degree graduates earn in California?
Are there online information security degree programs in California?
What companies hire information security degree graduates in California?
Is an information security degree program worth it in California?
How long do information security degree programs take in California?
What financial aid is available for information security degree students in California?
Data Sources
Institutional characteristics, completions, graduation rates
California salary and employment data
Program details and admissions information
Last Updated: June 26, 2026. Rankings based on IPEDS 2024 data. Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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.