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Key Takeaways
Best information security degree programs: U of South Florida, U of Tampa, Saint Leo
Ranked by graduation rates, program outcomes, and institutional quality
Tuition ranges from $1,750 to $58,104/year
St Petersburg College offers the most affordable option at $1,943/yr
Information Security degree programs available: 25 associate's, 11 master's, 2 doctoral in Florida
From community college pathways to advanced research degrees
19 online information security degree programs in Florida
Flexible scheduling for working professionals
Florida community college transfer can save 40-60% on total degree costs
25 associate's programs provide transfer pathways to bachelor's degrees
Education Commission of the States
Major employers: Citrix, Magic Leap, Chewy, Tech Data
Tech hubs in Miami and Tampa
Hakia Research 2026
Information Security degree programs near 114+ cities across Florida
Search by city to find programs within 200 miles of your location
Updated July 13, 2026
How we ranked Florida Information Security programs
We rank 52 accredited information security programs in Florida 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 Florida Worth It?
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024
Information Security Degree Rankings in Florida
Compare the top-ranked Information Security programs in Florida by degree level. Tuition, graduation rate, and Hakia Score for every accredited program.
Best Associate's Information Security Programs in Florida
Program Landscape
Florida offers 25 accredited associate's degree programs in information security, providing an affordable entry point into the technology field. The top-ranked programs include St Petersburg College, Florida State College at ..., Valencia College, which combine rigorous technical curriculum with practical skills training.
Costs & Value
Community colleges in Florida offer these two-year programs at an average cost of $4,199/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 $53,801 in Florida.
Career Pathways
Many programs feature guaranteed transfer agreements with Florida's public universities, allowing students to complete their first two years at reduced cost before transferring to complete a bachelor's degree. The Miami, Tampa, Orlando areas offer particularly strong job markets for associate's degree holders, with employers like Citrix, Magic Leap, Chewy 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 Florida, these associate's programs offer the best value for students beginning their information security degrees in Florida.
Florida State College at Jacksonville
Show all 13 ranked programs
| Rank | School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #6 | Gulf Coast State College | Panama City, FL | Public | $1,750 | 43% | 83.0 |
| #7 | Saint Leo University | Saint Leo, FL | Private nonprofit | $27,880 | 45% | 82.9 |
| #8 | Broward College | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Public | $1,968 | 39% | 82.8 |
| #9 | Pensacola State College | Pensacola, FL | Public | $1,884 | 36% | 82.3 |
| #10 | Tallahassee State College | Tallahassee, FL | Public | $2,002 | 38% | 82.3 |
| #11 | Florida SouthWestern State College | Fort Myers, FL | Public | $2,436 | 39% | 82.0 |
| #12 | Hillsborough Community College | Tampa, FL | Public | $1,926 | 34% | 82.0 |
| #13 | Northwest Florida State College | Niceville, FL | Public | $2,151 | 39% | 78.8 |
Best Bachelor's Information Security Programs in Florida
Program Landscape
Florida ranks among the nation's top destinations for information security education, with 14 accredited bachelor's degree programs across 6 public and 6 private institutions. The highest-ranked programs are U of South Florida, U of Tampa, Saint Leo, recognized for academic excellence, research opportunities, and strong industry connections.
Career Outcomes
Graduates from Florida information security programs earn a median salary of $83,147, 15% below the national average. The state's robust technology sector, anchored by the Miami, Tampa, Orlando metropolitan areas, provides abundant internship and employment opportunities with companies including Citrix, Magic Leap, Chewy.
Costs & Value
Tuition ranges from $1,871 to $58,104 annually, with an average of $18,449/yr. Top programs maintain graduation rates above 84%, with the highest reaching 94%. 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 Florida's leading technology employers. For students seeking information security degrees in Florida, these top-ranked information security schools offer the strongest combination of academic rigor and career preparation.
Show all 13 ranked programs
| Rank | School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #6 | Miami Dade College | Miami, FL | Public | $1,987 | 46% | 80.1 |
| #7 | Stetson University | DeLand, FL | Private nonprofit | $57,010 | 62% | 77.5 |
| #8 | St Petersburg College | St. Petersburg, FL | Public | $1,943 | 38% | 75.3 |
| #9 | Full Sail University | Winter Park, FL | Private for-profit | $26,906 | 44% | 74.6 |
| #10 | Saint Leo University | Saint Leo, FL | Private nonprofit | $27,880 | 45% | 73.3 |
| #11 | Pensacola State College | Pensacola, FL | Public | $1,884 | 36% | 71.2 |
| #12 | Rasmussen University-Florida | Ocala, FL | Private for-profit | $14,024 | 42% | 66.9 |
| #13 | Florida Memorial University | Miami Gardens, FL | Private nonprofit | $14,274 | 31% | 59.9 |
Best Master's Information Security Programs in Florida
Program Landscape
Florida offers 11 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 Tampa, Saint Leo, U of West Florida, combine advanced technical training with research opportunities and leadership development.
Career Outcomes
Master's graduates in Florida earn a median salary of $97,820, approximately 20-30% higher than bachelor's degree holders. The concentration of technology companies in Miami, Tampa, Orlando creates strong demand for graduate-level talent, with Citrix, Magic Leap, Chewy 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 $19,031/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 Florida's information security schools at the graduate level, these programs stand out for both academic quality and career outcomes.
Strayer University-Florida
Show all 10 ranked programs
| Rank | School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #6 | Florida Institute of Technology | Melbourne, FL | Private nonprofit | $44,620 | 64% | 79.1 |
| #7 | Florida Institute of Technology-Online | Melbourne, FL | Private nonprofit | $12,480 | — | 78.5 |
| #8 | Nova Southeastern University | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Private nonprofit | $37,500 | 63% | 78.2 |
| #9 | Saint Leo University | Saint Leo, FL | Private nonprofit | $27,880 | 45% | 70.1 |
| #10 | Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Private nonprofit | $23,856 | 61% | 66.6 |
Best Doctoral Information Security Programs in Florida
Program Landscape
Florida is home to 2 doctoral programs in information security, preparing students for research positions, faculty appointments, and executive technical roles. Leading programs at Nova Southeastern, St. Thomas are recognized for cutting-edge research, strong faculty publications, and competitive funding packages.
Career Outcomes
Doctoral graduates command premium salaries, with Florida PhD holders earning a median of $122,275, reflecting the advanced expertise required for research and executive positions. The Miami, Tampa, Orlando region's research universities and corporate R&D centers provide extensive collaboration opportunities with industry leaders like Citrix, Magic Leap, Chewy.
Costs & Value
PhD programs typically require 4-6 years of full-time study, including coursework, qualifying examinations, and original dissertation research. Many programs offer full funding through teaching or research assistantships, covering tuition and providing stipends of $25,000–$40,000 annually.
Curriculum & Specializations
Research strengths across Florida programs include artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, human-computer interaction, systems, and theoretical computer science. For aspiring researchers pursuing information security degrees in Florida, graduates go on to careers as university faculty, industry research scientists, or technical executives, contributing to advances in technology that impact millions of users worldwide.
Nova Southeastern University
Information Security Degree Costs & Tuition in Florida
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average in-state tuition | $11,782/year |
| Average out-of-state tuition | $29,455/year |
| Community college tuition | $2,946/year |
| 4-year savings for residents | $70,692 |
| 2+2 transfer pathway savings | $17,672 |
Source: IPEDS 2024
Financial Aid & Scholarships for Information Security Students in Florida
State Aid Programs
Florida offers substantial financial aid opportunities for students pursuing information security education, including Florida-specific scholarships and federal programs. The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program provides merit-based aid covering significant portions of tuition at state universities, with the Florida Academic Scholars Award covering 100 percent of tuition and fees plus a stipend for books (FSU Scholarships).
Key Programs & Amounts
The Benacquisto Scholarship for National Merit Finalists provides awards ranging from $16,000 to $25,000 annually for Florida residents, equaling the full in-state cost of attendance. Florida State University offers the Vires Scholarship totaling $16,000 distributed over eight semesters, the IB Diploma Scholarship totaling $8,000, and the QUEST Scholars Program providing $6,000 plus up to $2,000 for experiential learning (FSU Scholarships).
Institutional Scholarships
The Grandparent Tuition Waiver provides out-of-state tuition relief for students whose grandparents are Florida residents. The University of West Florida offers CyberCorps Scholarship for Service through the Argo Cyber Emerging Scholars (ACES) Program, providing full tuition plus stipends in exchange for federal government service after graduation (UWF CyberCorps).
Northwest Florida State College Foundation offers over 300 scholarship awards annually based on major, background, community service, financial need, and academic achievement (NWFSC Scholarships). Students should complete the FAFSA to access federal Pell Grants (up to $7,395/year) and federal student loans.
Information Security Degree ROI Calculator, Florida
Use our interactive ROI calculator to estimate your return on investment for a information security degree in Florida. 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
+645%
Net gain divided by total investment. ROI above 200% is considered excellent for education investments.
$1,192,850
Your additional lifetime earnings with this degree vs. working without one, minus the total investment.
6 years
Years until your cumulative earnings exceed total investment. Shorter programs often break even faster due to lower opportunity cost.
$95,833
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 Florida metro areas
View data table
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Miami | $108K |
| Tampa | $103K |
| Orlando | $98K |
| Jacksonville | $93K |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024
Hakia.com
Top Employers Hiring Information Security Graduates in Florida
Find information security jobs in Florida. These major employers across Florida metro areas are actively hiring information security degree holders. Click employer names to view current job openings.
Information Security Jobs in Miami
FLMiami has emerged as a major fintech and crypto hub, with many companies relocating from Silicon Valley.
Nearby cities: Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Coral Gables
Information Security Jobs in Tampa Bay
FLTampa Bay has a growing cybersecurity cluster with headquarters for several security companies.
Nearby cities: St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Brandon, Lakeland
Information Security Jobs in Orlando
FLOrlando combines simulation, gaming, and defense tech with major theme park technology operations.
Nearby cities: Kissimmee, Sanford, Winter Park, Lake Mary
Florida Tech Industry & Infrastructure
Florida's tech market has grown materially over the last decade, driven by no-state-income-tax policy, defense and space industry presence, and rapid in-migration of tech workers from higher-cost coastal states. While the state's tech-employer concentration trails CA/TX/NY, the trajectory is steep and the cost-of-living-adjusted compensation is competitive.
Miami / South Florida
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach
Fastest-growing US tech metro by population in-migration. Anchored by a financial-services and fintech cluster (Citadel relocated HQ here), plus a substantial Latin America tech-services market.
Orlando
Orlando metro
Defense/simulation tech (Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Northrop Grumman), tourism-tech (Disney, Universal), and modeling/simulation industry. UCF is the largest US CS-graduate producer.
Tampa Bay
Tampa metro
Financial-services tech, healthcare-IT, cybersecurity (cybersecurity employer cluster), and growing startup scene. USF is the principal CS/IS feeder.
No state income tax. Florida Job Growth Grant Fund and Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund are the principal state-level tech-employer incentives.
Florida Regulation Affecting Information Security Graduates
Florida moved to enact a consumer privacy law in 2024 and has been active on AI and child-safety legislation. The regulatory environment generally favors employers but is no longer a privacy backwater for engineering teams serving Florida users.
Florida Digital Bill of Rights (FDBR)
Effective July 2024. Grants Florida consumers rights to access, correct, delete, and opt out of sale of personal data. Notably narrower applicability than CCPA — applies only to large businesses making most revenue from data sales.
Larger consumer-tech companies with Florida users must implement opt-out and access flows; the law's narrower scope reduces compliance overhead vs CA/TX equivalents.
Read moreFlorida HB 3 (Online Protections for Minors)
Effective 2025. Restricts social-media access for users under 16 and requires age verification for certain platforms.
Engineers building consumer products with Florida users under 16 must implement age-verification flows and platform-access restrictions.
Read moreFlorida Cybersecurity Act (state agencies)
Sets cybersecurity standards for state agencies and contractors. Includes minimum encryption, breach-notification, and incident-response requirements.
Engineers working with Florida state/local government IT operate under these standards.
Read moreProfessional Engineer Licensure in Florida
Florida does not currently administer a separate Software Engineering PE license. ABET-EAC accredited engineering degrees are recognized for general PE licensure tracks (mechanical, electrical, computer engineering), but software engineering specifically is not a recognized PE discipline in Florida.
Florida licensing boardFlorida Financial Aid Programs
Florida Bright Futures Scholarship
Merit scholarshipUp to 100% tuition coverage at FL public schools (Florida Academic Scholars tier)
FL high-school graduates with qualifying GPA/test scores attending FL institutions
Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG)
State grantUp to $2,610/yr
FL residents with financial need at FL institutions
Up to $3,500/yr
FL residents at independent (private) FL colleges
Florida Prepaid College Plan
Prepaid tuitionLocks in tuition rate; reduces future tuition risk
FL families purchasing tuition at current rates for future college attendance
Transfer Pathways for Information Security Degrees in Florida
State Transfer System
Florida's Statewide 2+2 Articulation Agreement provides structured pathways for students pursuing information security degrees through community colleges and state universities. Students earning an Associate in Arts degree from any Florida College System institution receive guaranteed admission to at least one State University System institution with general education requirements satisfied (UCF Articulation).
How Transfers Work
This agreement is governed by Florida Administrative Code 6A-10.024 and Chapter 1007.23 of Florida Statutes, though it doesn't guarantee admission to limited-access programs or specific universities. St. Petersburg College offers a clear progression from Cybersecurity Certificate to A.S. Degree to B.A.S.
Transfer Planning Tips
Degree in Cybersecurity, allowing students to build credentials incrementally while working (SPC Pathways). The A.S. degree transfers directly into the B.A.S. program or to the Technology Development and Management B.A.S. at SPC.
The University of Central Florida maintains numerous program-to-program articulation agreements with Florida state colleges, including engineering pathways with College of Central Florida, Daytona State College, Eastern Florida State College, and Valencia College (UCF Connect). USF also maintains Guaranteed Admission Transfer Program agreements with multiple Florida state colleges through its Fuse pathway program.
Students should work with academic advisors to ensure prerequisite courses transfer properly, as information security programs may require specific technical and business foundation courses beyond standard AA requirements.
Florida Take-Home Pay Advantage
Source: Florida Department of Revenue
Information Security Job Market & Salary Data in Florida
Employment Outlook
Florida's information security job market demonstrates exceptional strength for professionals seeking governance, compliance, and security leadership positions. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports information security analysts earned a median annual wage of $124,910 in May 2024, with the highest 10 percent earning more than $186,420, reflecting strong compensation for senior security leaders and Chief Information Security Officers (BLS Wages).
Salaries by Metro
Employment is projected to grow 29 percent from 2024 to 2034, with approximately 16,000 openings annually due to increased demand for protecting critical information and AI-related security requirements. Florida-specific projections show 42 percent growth in information security analyst positions from 2024 to 2034 according to Florida Department of Commerce data, with particularly strong demand in the Tampa-St.
High-Growth Sectors
Petersburg-Clearwater metropolitan area (St. Petersburg College). Major employers seeking information security professionals include healthcare organizations requiring HIPAA compliance expertise, financial institutions implementing PCI-DSS and SOX frameworks, defense contractors needing cleared GRC professionals, and state agencies mandating regulatory compliance.
Positions include Systems Security Analyst, Security Control Assessor, Vulnerability Assessment Analyst, Security Architect, Information Security Officer, Director of Information Security, Chief Information Security Officer, and Principal Security Practice Manager. St. Petersburg College notes these roles align with the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) Cybersecurity Workforce Framework, providing standardized career pathways across government and private sectors.
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 Florida
Online Programs
19 available in Florida
On-Campus Programs
Traditional classroom experience
Compare Information Security Programs in Other States
- Total Programs
- 38
- Median Tuition
- $2,500
- Total Programs
- 9
- Median Tuition
- $10,100
- Total Programs
- 39
- Median Tuition
- $1,300
- 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 Florida: FAQ
What are the best information security degree programs in Florida?
How much do information security degree programs cost in Florida?
What salary can information security degree graduates earn in Florida?
Are there online information security degree programs in Florida?
What companies hire information security degree graduates in Florida?
Is an information security degree program worth it in Florida?
How long do information security degree programs take in Florida?
What financial aid is available for information security degree students in Florida?
Data Sources
Institutional characteristics, completions, graduation rates
Florida 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.