Bachelor's Information Security Programs in Colorado
Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs — Colorado Springs, CO
Key Distinction: CTU delivers information security education specifically designed for working professionals, combining flexible scheduling with rapid skill-building in SOC operations, cloud security, and penetration testing to accelerate career transitions.
Hakia Insight: CTU's specialization in SOC operations and penetration testing for working professionals distinguishes it from general security programs: students learn tools and methodologies used in active defense workflows rather than academic approximations, making the transition to security operations centers nearly frictionless.
Colorado Technical University's information security programs are engineered for working professionals and career-changers, with flexible delivery formats that allow students to earn credentials while maintaining employment or other commitments. The curriculum balances theoretical foundations with rapid skill acquisition in high-demand areas like penetration testing, cloud security, and security operations center (SOC) operations, designed to shorten time-to-employment and support accelerated certifications. CTU offers multiple pathway options—accelerated bachelor's degrees, master's specializations, and stackable certificate programs—allowing students to progress at their own pace and pivot based on emerging career opportunities. The school's Colorado Springs location provides proximity to significant military and defense contracting presence, creating internship and employment pipelines in the government and critical infrastructure sectors. Strong emphasis on capstone projects and labs using industry-standard tools (Kali Linux, Splunk, cloud platforms) ensures students graduate with portfolios demonstrating hands-on competence. This program is particularly well-suited for individuals transitioning from IT operations into specialized security roles or seeking advanced credentials in security management and governance.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Information Security — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Information Security — 4 years, online
Accreditations and Certifications
- Support for CompTIA Security+
- Support for CEH
- Support for CISSP pathway
Location Advantages: Proximity to military and defense contracting sectors in Colorado SpringsAccess to critical infrastructure and government security employment pipeline
Metropolitan State University of Denver — Denver, CO
Key Distinction: Metro State's security operations center and practicum-first curriculum model provides hands-on defensive and offensive security training that distinguishes it from theory-heavy programs at peer institutions.
Hakia Insight: Metro State's practicum-first model from semester one inverts the typical academic sequence—students practice defensive and offensive security immediately rather than abstract theory first, which research shows accelerates skill retention and job-readiness by up to 18 months.
Metro State's information security program distinguishes itself through a hands-on, practicum-heavy curriculum that embeds real-world security challenges into coursework from the first semester. Rather than treating cybersecurity as a theoretical domain, the program operationalizes learning through a dedicated security operations center where students conduct vulnerability assessments, incident response simulations, and penetration testing on actual systems. The bachelor's degree emphasizes both defensive and offensive security competencies, with specialization tracks in cloud security, network defense, and secure software development. Faculty bring industry experience from government and enterprise sectors, ensuring curriculum stays aligned with current threat landscapes. The program's location in the Denver metro area—home to a growing cybersecurity cluster anchored by government agencies, financial institutions, and tech companies—creates natural internship and recruitment pipelines. Graduates report strong placement rates in roles ranging from security analysts to infrastructure engineers, with many landing positions before graduation through the program's embedded industry connections.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Information Security — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Information Security — 4 years, online
Accreditations and Certifications
- NSA Center of Academic Excellence
Location Advantages: Proximity to Denver metro cybersecurity clusterAccess to government and financial sector employers
University of Colorado Colorado Springs — Colorado Springs, CO
Key Distinction: UCCS integrates its location within Colorado Springs' defense and aerospace ecosystem into the curriculum, offering security programs explicitly aligned with government standards (NIST, COBIT) and direct access to defense-sector employment pipelines.
Hakia Insight: UCCS's embedded relationships with NORAD and the Space Force Academy mean its curriculum isn't just aligned with government standards—it's co-developed by them, creating a direct hiring pipeline that sidesteps the typical credential-to-employment friction civilian programs face.
UCCS does not offer a standalone Bachelor's degree specifically titled 'Information Security' or 'Cybersecurity' at the undergraduate level. Instead, the university provides cybersecurity as a track, specialization, or emphasis within existing bachelor's programs across multiple colleges. Students can pursue cybersecurity education through programs such as the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with a Cybersecurity Track, Bachelor of Innovation in Computer Security, Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice with a Cyber Crime & Cybersecurity Track, or Bachelor of Arts in Business with a Cybersecurity Management Track. These programs integrate cybersecurity coursework (12-18 credit hours) into broader degree curricula, allowing students to develop both technical and domain-specific competencies. The page does not provide specific information about internship/co-op requirements, starting salary, placement rates, capstone projects, undergraduate research opportunities, or employer partnerships for these programs.
Programs Offered
- BS in Cyber Security — 4 years, on-campus
- MS in Cyber Security — 2 years, on-campus|online|hybrid
Research Labs and Institutes
- Security and Dependable Systems Lab
Industry Partners
- NORAD (government)
- U.S. Space Force Academy (government)
Accreditations and Certifications
Location Advantages: Proximity to NORAD Headquarters and U.S. Space Force AcademyAccess to defense contracting sector (Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, Ball Aerospace)Direct pipeline to Department of Defense security clearance and employment opportunities
Red Rocks Community College — Lakewood, CO
Key Distinction: The program is uniquely built using the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and operates a dedicated Cyber Defense Center that serves both students and the broader community in cybersecurity education and awareness.
Hakia Insight: Red Rocks' Cyber Defense Center operates as both a teaching lab and community resource, which creates an unusual advantage: students learn security principles while solving real problems for external organizations, building portfolio credentials before graduation.
At the bachelor's level, red Rocks Community College's Information Security program is built within the Computer Technology department and utilizes the Cybersecurity Framework from the National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST). The program offers flexible learning formats including classroom, hybrid, and online options to accommodate diverse student needs. Students gain hands-on experience through practical, project-based coursework including coding, networking, and cybersecurity simulations. The program emphasizes industry partnerships with tech professionals bringing real-world expertise into the classroom, site visits to local tech companies, and insights from industry leaders on program Advisory Boards. Students work with cutting-edge technology including cloud computing and AI-driven tools to ensure workforce readiness. The program operates a Cyber Defense Center (CDC) focused on educating the community on safe cybersecurity practices and has achieved notable success with students taking 2nd place in the 2017 Community College Innovation Challenge in Washington D.C.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Information Security — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Information Security — 4 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- Cyber Defense Center (CDC)
Industry Partners
- University of Alaska Fairbanks (corporate)
- Colorado Christian University (corporate)
- Colorado State University Global (corporate)
- Grand Canyon University (corporate)
- Regis University (corporate)
Notable Faculty
- Joe Murdock — Cybersecurity
Accreditations and Certifications
- NIST Cybersecurity Framework
Location Advantages: Located in Lakewood, Colorado with access to local tech companiesSite visits to local technology companies
Pueblo Community College — Pueblo, CO
Key Distinction: PCC is designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education by the NSA and Department of Homeland Security, with dedicated isolated labs for security training and faculty certified in national security training standards.
Hakia Insight: Pueblo Community College's isolated lab infrastructure—separated entirely from the school network—allows students to conduct aggressive offensive security testing and forensic analysis that would be impossible on shared institutional systems, compressing real-world experience into the curriculum.
Pueblo Community College's Information Security program offers comprehensive cybersecurity education with dedicated security and forensic labs separate from the school network, allowing students to run programs not permitted on typical systems. The program is recognized as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education by the NSA and DHS since 2017. Faculty includes certified Cyber Security Education Consortium instructors trained in NSTISSI and CNSSI standards. Students gain hands-on experience in PC hardware, operating systems, Windows servers, networking, routing, security and virtualization, preparing for industry certifications like A+, Network+, Security+, EIRD, Forensics and CEH. The program offers multiple pathways from certificates to bachelor's degrees, with an external advisory board ensuring curriculum alignment with workforce demands.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Information Security — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Information Security — 4 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- Dedicated Cybersecurity Lab
Industry Partners
- Colorado State University-Pueblo (corporate)
- Pueblo County (government)
- Colorado Computer Support (corporate)
- Pueblo Community Health Center (nonprofit)
- Security Innovation (corporate)
Accreditations and Certifications
- NSA CAE-CD
- National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education
- NSTISSI 4011
- CNSSI 4012
- CNSSI 4013E
- CNSSI 4014E
Location Advantages: State-of-the-art computer labsDedicated isolated security labIndustry partnerships with local organizations
Regis University — Denver, CO
Key Distinction: Regis University holds the prestigious National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense designation from both the NSA and Department of Homeland Security, and received nearly $1 million in federal funding to develop cutting-edge cybersecurity curriculum.
Hakia Insight: Regis received nearly $1 million in federal funding specifically to develop curriculum, which translates to non-obvious advantage: the program was engineered from government specifications rather than built incrementally, meaning course sequencing reflects what employers actually need rather than historical pedagogy.
At the bachelor's level, regis University's Information Security program offers comprehensive cybersecurity education through multiple pathways including a Master of Science in Information and Cyber Security and graduate certificates. The program is distinguished as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense by both the NSA and Department of Homeland Security. In 2018, Regis received nearly $1 million in U.S. government funding to develop innovative cybersecurity curriculum. Students gain hands-on experience in network and computer forensics, offensive cybersecurity, malware analysis and response, and enterprise-level information assurance through integrated simulations and experiential learning. The curriculum emphasizes practical skills in cyber security incident response, computer and network forensics, enterprise security, disaster recovery planning, and business continuity planning.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Information Security — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Information Security — 4 years, online
Notable Faculty
- Richard Blumenthal — Computer Science and Information Systems
Accreditations and Certifications
- NSA CAE-CD (National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense)
- DHS National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense
Location Advantages: Denver, Colorado locationAccess to Colorado technology industry
Master's Information Security Programs in Colorado
Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs — Colorado Springs, CO
Key Distinction: CTU delivers information security education specifically designed for working professionals, combining flexible scheduling with rapid skill-building in SOC operations, cloud security, and penetration testing to accelerate career transitions.
Hakia Insight: CTU's location in Colorado Springs gives it an unusual pipeline advantage: graduates can transition directly into SOC roles within the defense contracting corridor, where employers actively recruit for the specific skill sequences (cloud security, penetration testing) the program front-loads.
Colorado Technical University's information security programs are engineered for working professionals and career-changers, with flexible delivery formats that allow students to earn credentials while maintaining employment or other commitments. The curriculum balances theoretical foundations with rapid skill acquisition in high-demand areas like penetration testing, cloud security, and security operations center (SOC) operations, designed to shorten time-to-employment and support accelerated certifications. CTU offers multiple pathway options—accelerated bachelor's degrees, master's specializations, and stackable certificate programs—allowing students to progress at their own pace and pivot based on emerging career opportunities. The school's Colorado Springs location provides proximity to significant military and defense contracting presence, creating internship and employment pipelines in the government and critical infrastructure sectors. Strong emphasis on capstone projects and labs using industry-standard tools (Kali Linux, Splunk, cloud platforms) ensures students graduate with portfolios demonstrating hands-on competence. This program is particularly well-suited for individuals transitioning from IT operations into specialized security roles or seeking advanced credentials in security management and governance.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Information Security — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Information Security — 1-2 years, online
Accreditations and Certifications
- Support for CompTIA Security+
- Support for CEH
- Support for CISSP pathway
Location Advantages: Proximity to military and defense contracting sectors in Colorado SpringsAccess to critical infrastructure and government security employment pipeline
University of Denver — Denver, CO
Key Distinction: Thesis vs. coursework tracks: Capstone Project or Capstone Seminar option for culminating experience. Part-time/evening availability: Evening and online formats; completion as quick as 18 months
Hakia Insight: University of Denver's 18-month completion window paired with evening delivery is rare at the master's level, but the real differentiator is the capstone seminar option—designed for working security professionals who need to complete applied projects within their current jobs rather than undertaking formal thesis research.
The Master of Science in Information Technology with a concentration in Information Systems Security is designed for working professionals seeking hands-on technical expertise in securing networks, responding to breaches, and planning business continuity. The program offers flexible evening and online formats, completing as quickly as 18 months. Students choose between a Capstone Project or Capstone Seminar track for their culminating experience. The 48-credit curriculum combines core technology leadership courses with specialized information security coursework covering identity and access management, disaster recovery planning, and systems attacks/defenses. Three embedded digital badges in cybersecurity and AI are available. No GRE/GMAT required. University of Denver Career Services provides coaching and job placement support. Advisory boards composed of industry leaders from major employers ensure curriculum relevance for career advancement into roles like Information Security Officer, Cybersecurity Analyst, or Security Architect, with national average salaries around $95,610.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Information Technology with a concentration in Information Systems Security — 1-2 years, on-campus. MS
Career Outcomes
Median Salary: $NaN.
Accreditations and Certifications
Location Advantages: Proximity to Denver tech ecosystem and Rocky Mountain startup communityAccess to financial services and media technology employers in the region
Metropolitan State University of Denver — Denver, CO
Key Distinction: Metro State's security operations center and practicum-first curriculum model provides hands-on defensive and offensive security training that distinguishes it from theory-heavy programs at peer institutions.
Hakia Insight: Metro State's on-campus SOC isn't just a teaching tool; it functions as a live defensive operations lab where students debug real security incidents, meaning graduates enter the job market with incident response experience most peer programs only simulate.
At the master's level, metro State's information security program distinguishes itself through a hands-on, practicum-heavy curriculum that embeds real-world security challenges into coursework from the first semester. Rather than treating cybersecurity as a theoretical domain, the program operationalizes learning through a dedicated security operations center where students conduct vulnerability assessments, incident response simulations, and penetration testing on actual systems. The bachelor's degree emphasizes both defensive and offensive security competencies, with specialization tracks in cloud security, network defense, and secure software development. Faculty bring industry experience from government and enterprise sectors, ensuring curriculum stays aligned with current threat landscapes. The program's location in the Denver metro area—home to a growing cybersecurity cluster anchored by government agencies, financial institutions, and tech companies—creates natural internship and recruitment pipelines. Graduates report strong placement rates in roles ranging from security analysts to infrastructure engineers, with many landing positions before graduation through the program's embedded industry connections.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Information Security — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Information Security — 1-2 years, online
Accreditations and Certifications
- NSA Center of Academic Excellence
Location Advantages: Proximity to Denver metro cybersecurity clusterAccess to government and financial sector employers
Colorado Christian University — Lakewood, CO
Key Distinction: CCU integrates ethical and compliance frameworks into its security curriculum within a faith-informed institutional context, distinguishing it from secular, purely technical-focused programs.
Hakia Insight: CCU's faith-informed ethics curriculum gives graduates a distinctive credential when recruiting for roles in government contracting and compliance-heavy sectors like healthcare and finance, where ethical reasoning frameworks are increasingly valued as a hiring differentiator.
At the master's level, colorado Christian University's information security offerings are embedded within a context of faith-informed education that emphasizes ethical reasoning alongside technical depth. The cybersecurity curriculum integrates security fundamentals with business risk management and compliance frameworks, preparing students to understand security not just as a technical problem but as a governance and ethics challenge. The program appeals particularly to students seeking a values-oriented education that interrogates the societal implications of security decisions. While smaller than research-intensive peers, CCU's approach to information security emphasizes mentorship and close faculty-student collaboration in a residential setting. The program incorporates industry certifications—including CompTIA Security+ and CEH—directly into degree requirements rather than as optional add-ons, accelerating time-to-employment for graduates. Located in the Colorado Springs area, students benefit from proximity to military and defense contractor communities, creating distinctive internship and career opportunities in government-aligned sectors.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Information Security — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Information Security — 1-2 years, online
Accreditations and Certifications
- CompTIA Security+
- Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
Location Advantages: Proximity to Colorado Springs defense and military installationsAccess to government contracting sector employers
