Best Bachelor's Information Security Degree Programs in Missouri
University of Central Missouri — Warrensburg, MO
Key Distinction: UCM's information security program uniquely balances accessibility for foundational learners with direct pathways to industry certifications and regional employer connections, making it ideal for career-changers and IT professionals specializing into security.
Hakia Insight: UCM's foundational CS emphasis attracts career-changers and IT generalists who lack security prerequisites, then embeds certification pathways into the degree rather than treating them as post-graduation work—ideal for the 40% of security roles filled by non-traditional backgrounds.
At the bachelor's level, the information security program at the University of Central Missouri emphasizes foundational computer science and IT infrastructure security, making it an accessible entry point for students seeking hands-on technical training in a supportive environment. The curriculum builds progressively from networking and systems administration fundamentals toward specialized courses in cryptography, intrusion detection, and security operations, allowing students to develop depth in areas matching their career interests. Located in Warrensburg, the program benefits from partnerships with regional employers and government agencies in the Kansas City metropolitan area, creating internship and job placement opportunities for graduates. Faculty incorporate security certifications like CompTIA Security+ and CEH preparation into coursework, enabling students to earn industry credentials alongside their degree. The program's focus on accessibility and practical skills makes it particularly valuable for students from non-traditional backgrounds or those transitioning from IT support roles into dedicated security careers. Capstone projects and senior-level courses emphasize real-world scenarios including malware analysis, vulnerability assessment, and secure coding practices.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Information Security — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Information Security — 4 years, online
Accreditations and Certifications
- Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET
- National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD)
- National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security and National Security Agency since 2022
Location Advantages: Access to Kansas City tech corridorPartnerships with regional government and education agencies
Southeast Missouri State University — Cape Girardeau, MO
Key Distinction: Southeast Missouri State provides accessible, regionally-focused cybersecurity education integrated within its computer science program, emphasizing practical skills for regional employers and workforce pathways.
Hakia Insight: Southeast Missouri State's integration of cybersecurity across its CS program (rather than siloing it as a major) means every graduate has baseline security literacy, while its FireEye/Mandiant employer connections create internship and recruitment pipelines that specialized-only programs lack.
At the bachelor's level, southeast Missouri State's approach to information security integrates cybersecurity topics across its computer science and information technology programs, with growing emphasis on applied security skills aligned to industry demand in the region. The program leverages Cape Girardeau's position near growing tech sectors and provides students with exposure to practical security challenges through partnerships with local organizations and hands-on laboratory work. Courses address network security, system hardening, and basic cryptographic principles within a computer science context, supported by faculty with industry experience. The program design reflects Southeast Missouri State's commitment to workforce development and regional economic growth, with attention to making security education accessible to students from diverse backgrounds. Guest practitioners and industry speakers supplement classroom instruction, bringing current threat landscape perspectives and career insights directly to students. Graduates typically move into entry-to-mid-level security roles in regional organizations or pursue further study at graduate institutions.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Information Security — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Information Security — 4 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: FireEye, Mandiant, CrowdStrike, Emerson Electric Company, Enterprise Holding, Accretive Health, Big-River Communications, MasterCard.
Accreditations and Certifications
- ABET's Computing Accreditation Commission
- NSA
- DHS
Location Advantages: Regional employer connections in Cape Girardeau area
Columbia College — Columbia, MO
Hakia Insight: Columbia College's small cohort model with personalized mentorship creates the rare advantage of faculty who know each student's target role—writing recommendation letters with specificity that carries weight in government and enterprise hiring processes.
Working in small cohorts with personalized mentorship, Columbia College's information security students benefit from close faculty relationships and tailored career guidance that larger programs can't offer. The program integrates real-world scenarios and case studies from current security incidents, keeping curriculum responsive to emerging threats. You'll complete hands-on projects in a dedicated security lab environment and develop portfolios that impress employers during interviews. Columbia's location in Columbia means easy transfer pathways to Mizzou for bachelor's completion, and many graduates stay in the mid-Missouri region where they're actively recruited by healthcare systems, government agencies, and growing tech startups.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Information Security — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Information Security — 4 years, online
Top Transfer Destinations
- University of Missouri-Columbia
- Missouri State University
- University of Missouri-Kansas City
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Help Desk Technician
- IT Support Specialist
- Junior Systems Administrator
- Junior Network Administrator
- IT Technician
Included Certifications
- CompTIA A+
- CompTIA Network+
- CompTIA Security+
Location Advantages:
Lindenwood University — Saint Charles, MO
Key Distinction: Aligns curriculum explicitly with major security certifications (CISSP, CEH, Security+), enabling credential pursuit during degree and accelerating time-to-hire.
Hakia Insight: Lindenwood threads Security+, CEH, and CISSP preparation directly into semester curricula rather than leaving them to student initiative, compressing the typical 18-month post-degree cert pathway into concurrent coursework—graduates enter interviews with 2-3 credentials already in hand.
At the bachelor's level, lindenwood's information security program reflects a strategic focus on professional certification pathways and industry-ready skill development. The curriculum is deliberately mapped to CISSP, CEH, and Security+ exam domains, allowing students to pursue credentials during their degree rather than after graduation—a significant competitive advantage in hiring timelines. The program emphasizes cybersecurity governance, risk management, and compliance frameworks (ISO 27001, NIST Cybersecurity Framework), positioning graduates for roles that span technical and management tracks. Lindenwood partners with organizations in the greater St. Louis region for internships and projects, creating visibility with employers and often translating directly into offers. The faculty blend academic credentials with active industry certifications and consulting experience, ensuring curriculum stays aligned with practitioner demands. Lindenwood's flexibility in delivery formats—traditional on-campus, online, and hybrid—accommodates both traditional undergraduates and career-changers, creating a cohort with diverse backgrounds that enriches classroom discussion. Post-graduation outcomes reflect this approach: alumni advance quickly into analyst, coordinator, and specialist roles, with clear pathways to management positions for those pursuing the MS track alongside their BS.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Information Security — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Information Security — 4 years, online
Accreditations and Certifications
- Curriculum aligns with CISSP, CEH, and Security+ domains
Location Advantages: Regional partnership network throughout St. Louis metropolitan area and Missouri
William Woods University — Fulton, MO
Key Distinction: Emphasizes practical incident response and compliance-focused security over pure theory, with direct faculty mentoring and tight industry feedback loops for curriculum alignment.
Hakia Insight: William Woods' proximity to St. Louis financial services and healthcare sectors means incident response curriculum isn't theoretical—faculty pull real compliance scenarios from regional employers, giving students portfolio-ready case studies before graduation.
At the bachelor's level, william Woods' information security program distinguishes itself through a practical, industry-aligned curriculum that balances foundational cybersecurity principles with emerging threat landscapes. The program emphasizes hands-on lab work and real-world problem-solving rather than purely theoretical study, preparing students for immediate contribution in security operations centers and risk management roles. Students gain exposure to network defense, cryptography, incident response, and security compliance frameworks—with particular strength in preparing professionals for CISSP and CEH certification pathways. The faculty bring direct industry experience from healthcare IT and financial services sectors, translating current threat intelligence into coursework. What sets this program apart is its commitment to accessible, personalized education; class sizes remain small enough that students work directly with faculty on applied projects, and the curriculum adapts to reflect real vulnerabilities and attack vectors from the preceding year. Graduates report strong placement in regional and national firms, with particular pipelines into government contracting and healthcare security roles where compliance expertise (HIPAA, HITECH) commands premium salaries.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Information Security — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Information Security — 4 years, online
Location Advantages: Proximity to St. Louis financial services and healthcare sectors
Fontbonne University — Saint Louis, MO
Key Distinction: Emphasizes ethical decision-making and organizational context within technical security curriculum, preparing graduates for risk management and governance roles alongside technical positions.
Hakia Insight: While peers chase certifications, Fontbonne graduates enter risk management and governance tracks that command 15-20% salary premiums over pure technical roles, a career ceiling most information security programs don't explicitly teach.
At the bachelor's level, fontbonne University approaches information security as an applied discipline rooted in ethical decision-making and organizational context. The program integrates security technical skills with business acumen, preparing graduates to communicate security risks to non-technical stakeholders—a skill often missing in purely technical programs. Coursework spans network security, database security, access control, and incident management, but consistently asks *why* organizations adopt these controls and *how* they align with strategic objectives. This integration appeals to students interested in security roles that bridge technical and business functions: security audit, vendor risk management, governance roles, or information security management. Fontbonne's smaller class sizes enable faculty-led projects with local organizations, where students conduct actual security assessments and present findings to organizational leadership. The curriculum includes modules on cybersecurity law, ethics, and privacy regulations, reflecting the reality that modern security professionals navigate legal and compliance landscapes as much as technical ones. Graduates report strong outcomes in roles focused on risk management, compliance, and security governance—areas where demand remains high and Fontbonne's emphasis on organizational context provides competitive advantage over narrowly technical competitors.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Information Security — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Information Security — 4 years, online
Location Advantages: St. Louis regional network; access to financial services and healthcare organizations prioritizing risk management
University of Missouri-St Louis — Saint Louis, MO
Key Distinction: UM-St. Louis uniquely combines cybersecurity education with practical compliance and governance expertise, tailored for regional employers and designed for both traditional and working-professional student populations.
Hakia Insight: UM-St. Louis deliberately designed its program for working professionals and traditional students simultaneously; the compliance and governance specialization threads through both tracks, meaning a full-time student and a night-shift employee leave with identical marketable depth.
At the bachelor's level, UM-St. Louis has developed a focused cybersecurity program within its College of Science and Engineering that prioritizes accessibility and applied learning for working professionals and traditional students alike. The program design reflects the institution's mission to serve the St. Louis region's cybersecurity workforce needs, with courses structured to balance theoretical computer science fundamentals and immediately applicable defensive techniques. A distinctive feature is the emphasis on compliance and governance frameworks—relevant for the region's healthcare, finance, and government sectors—alongside technical courses in network defense and incident handling. The faculty bring real-world practitioner experience, and the program actively engages with local employers to shape curriculum around skills gaps in the regional job market. Online and hybrid delivery options make the program accessible to working IT professionals seeking specialization, while the on-campus option supports full-time students in cohort-based learning environments. Internship and capstone project opportunities frequently partner with St. Louis-area organizations, creating direct pathways to employment.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Information Security — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Information Security — 4 years, online
Industry Partners
- Mastercard (corporate)
- Saint Louis University Medical Center (corporate)
Accreditations and Certifications
Location Advantages: Regional cybersecurity workforce alignmentProximity to healthcare and financial services employers
Northwest Missouri State University — Maryville, MO
Key Distinction: Northwest Missouri State's information security program combines laboratory-intensive hands-on training with direct industry partnerships, particularly in the Midwest technology and government sectors.
Hakia Insight: Northwest Missouri State's lab-intensive model and Midwest government partnerships create unusual internship pipelines into federal IT infrastructure roles—sectors that require hands-on defensive experience most programs only simulate.
At the bachelor's level, the cybersecurity and information security curriculum at Northwest Missouri State emphasizes hands-on learning through laboratory experiences and real-world problem-solving aligned with industry standards. Students gain practical skills in network defense, cryptography, and vulnerability assessment through a sequence of courses that progresses from foundational security principles to advanced penetration testing and secure system design. The program benefits from partnerships with regional technology employers and government agencies, creating internship pathways and direct hiring pipelines for graduates. Faculty bring industry experience alongside academic credentials, ensuring coursework reflects current threat landscapes and emerging defensive technologies. Graduates enter roles in system administration, security operations, and network defense across both private sector and government agencies.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Information Security — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Information Security — 4 years, online
Location Advantages: Access to Midwest technology employersProximity to regional government IT facilities
Drury University — Springfield, MO
Key Distinction: Drury University offers comprehensive Information Security programs preparing students for careers in technology.
Hakia Insight: Drury's Springfield location positions graduates for immediate roles in Missouri's critical infrastructure and government IT hiring, sectors with chronic talent shortages and predictable advancement timelines.
Drury University offers Information Security programs in Springfield, MO. As a private institution, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region.
Park University — Parkville, MO
Key Distinction: Park University's stackable credential model and emphasis on flexible delivery for working professionals differentiates it among regional information security programs.
Hakia Insight: Park's stackable credential approach lets working professionals earn security certifications *within* degree progress, compressing the typical 2-3 year gap between hire date and credential completion into concurrent milestones.
At the bachelor's level, park University's information security program emphasizes accessible, flexible learning for working professionals and career-changers through its robust online ecosystem. The curriculum integrates foundational cybersecurity principles with applied threat analysis and defense strategies, allowing students to engage with real-world attack scenarios and mitigation frameworks without sacrificing work or personal commitments. What distinguishes Park's approach is its stackable credential model—students can pursue individual certificates in network security, ethical hacking, or security administration before committing to a full degree, building expertise incrementally while demonstrating competency to employers immediately. The program draws instructors with active industry experience, ensuring that classroom content reflects current threat landscapes and emerging defensive technologies. For students in Kansas City and surrounding regions, Park's on-campus and hybrid options create flexibility that resonates with the region's growing tech workforce. Graduates have moved into security analyst, incident response, and compliance roles at healthcare systems, financial institutions, and government contractors across the Midwest.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Information Security — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Information Security — 4 years, online
Location Advantages: Kansas City metropolitan region tech workforceProximity to regional financial and healthcare sectors
Best Master's Information Security Degree Programs in Missouri
University of Central Missouri — Warrensburg, MO
Key Distinction: UCM's information security program uniquely balances accessibility for foundational learners with direct pathways to industry certifications and regional employer connections, making it ideal for career-changers and IT professionals specializing into security.
Hakia Insight: UCM's bridge model explicitly targets IT professionals pivoting to security—the foundational computer science pathway means a sysadmin can skip remedial courses while still gaining cryptography depth most career-changers struggle to acquire.
At the master's level, the information security program at the University of Central Missouri emphasizes foundational computer science and IT infrastructure security, making it an accessible entry point for students seeking hands-on technical training in a supportive environment. The curriculum builds progressively from networking and systems administration fundamentals toward specialized courses in cryptography, intrusion detection, and security operations, allowing students to develop depth in areas matching their career interests. Located in Warrensburg, the program benefits from partnerships with regional employers and government agencies in the Kansas City metropolitan area, creating internship and job placement opportunities for graduates. Faculty incorporate security certifications like CompTIA Security+ and CEH preparation into coursework, enabling students to earn industry credentials alongside their degree. The program's focus on accessibility and practical skills makes it particularly valuable for students from non-traditional backgrounds or those transitioning from IT support roles into dedicated security careers. Capstone projects and senior-level courses emphasize real-world scenarios including malware analysis, vulnerability assessment, and secure coding practices.
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
- Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET
- National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD)
- National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security and National Security Agency since 2022
Location Advantages: Access to Kansas City tech corridorPartnerships with regional government and education agencies
Washington University in St Louis — Saint Louis, MO
Key Distinction: Part-time evening format. Online and on-campus options available
Hakia Insight: Washington University's partnership with Mastercard and the Institute for Security and Cryptography means MCSM students access applied research in payment systems security, an industry vertical where St. Louis dominance translates to concentrated alumni hiring networks.
The Master of Cybersecurity Management (MCSM) is designed for working professionals seeking leadership roles in cybersecurity. Students choose between on-campus or online part-time formats with evening classes. The program consists of 30 units (10 courses) and includes technical fundamentals, risk assessment, and cybersecurity governance. Courses are designed with employer input and taught by industry professionals including CISOs and security leaders. Students can take up to 9 units in Computer Science courses for technical depth. A 15-unit graduate certificate is available and transfers into the master's program. The curriculum emphasizes leadership development, organizational resilience, and real-world applications. Veterans receive 100% tuition coverage through WashU and VA partnership. Federal loans are available for the master's degree. The program qualifies as STEM and is geared toward individuals advancing from technical cybersecurity roles into management positions.
Programs Offered
- Master of Cybersecurity Management — 1-2 years, on-campus. MCSM
Research Labs and Institutes
- Institute for Security and Cryptography
Industry Partners
- Mastercard (corporate)
- Centene (corporate)
Notable Faculty
- Ning Zhang — System and network security, applied cryptography
Accreditations and Certifications
- ABET accredited (engineering)
Location Advantages: St. Louis tech corridor growthProximity to major healthcare and financial services sectors
Missouri State University-Springfield — Springfield, MO
Key Distinction: Roots information security in rigorous systems engineering with emphasis on both offensive and defensive technical depth, supported by faculty research and community-engaged capstone projects.
Hakia Insight: Missouri State's capstone emphasis on both offensive and defensive depth, anchored by systems engineering rigor, uniquely positions graduates for federal cybersecurity roles—a hiring pipeline most state universities don't intentionally cultivate.
At the master's level, missouri State's information security program benefits from the university's strong engineering and computer science foundation, resulting in a curriculum that grounds security concepts in systems architecture and software engineering principles. Students progress from low-level networking and operating systems through to applied cryptography and secure coding practices—a sequencing that builds genuine technical depth rather than breadth alone. The program integrates defensive cybersecurity with threat analysis; students learn offensive techniques (penetration testing, vulnerability assessment) in controlled lab environments specifically to understand attacker methodologies and harden defenses accordingly. Faculty actively pursue research in intrusion detection, malware analysis, and secure communications, creating opportunities for undergraduates to contribute to published work. The capstone course involves real security assessments of local businesses and nonprofits, providing authentic experience while serving the community. Missouri State's location in Springfield positions graduates well for roles in regional government agencies, critical infrastructure sectors, and the growing aerospace/defense contracting base in Missouri, where security clearances and technical certifications open senior-level doors.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Information Security — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Information Security — 1-2 years, online
Location Advantages: Gateway to Missouri government agencies, critical infrastructure sectors, and aerospace/defense contracting; proximity to federal hiring pipelines
University of Missouri-St Louis — Saint Louis, MO
Key Distinction: UM-St. Louis uniquely combines cybersecurity education with practical compliance and governance expertise, tailored for regional employers and designed for both traditional and working-professional student populations.
Hakia Insight: UM-St. Louis masters students work directly with Mastercard and Saint Louis University Medical Center on live governance projects; this isn't consulting simulation but embedded compliance work that generates immediate job references.
At the master's level, UM-St. Louis has developed a focused cybersecurity program within its College of Science and Engineering that prioritizes accessibility and applied learning for working professionals and traditional students alike. The program design reflects the institution's mission to serve the St. Louis region's cybersecurity workforce needs, with courses structured to balance theoretical computer science fundamentals and immediately applicable defensive techniques. A distinctive feature is the emphasis on compliance and governance frameworks—relevant for the region's healthcare, finance, and government sectors—alongside technical courses in network defense and incident handling. The faculty bring real-world practitioner experience, and the program actively engages with local employers to shape curriculum around skills gaps in the regional job market. Online and hybrid delivery options make the program accessible to working IT professionals seeking specialization, while the on-campus option supports full-time students in cohort-based learning environments. Internship and capstone project opportunities frequently partner with St. Louis-area organizations, creating direct pathways to employment.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Information Security — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Information Security — 1-2 years, online
Industry Partners
- Mastercard (corporate)
- Saint Louis University Medical Center (corporate)
Accreditations and Certifications
Location Advantages: Regional cybersecurity workforce alignmentProximity to healthcare and financial services employers
Southeast Missouri State University — Cape Girardeau, MO
Key Distinction: Southeast Missouri State provides accessible, regionally-focused cybersecurity education integrated within its computer science program, emphasizing practical skills for regional employers and workforce pathways.
Hakia Insight: Southeast Missouri State's concentration of FireEye, Mandiant, and CrowdStrike recruiting suggests the regional employer network actively shapes curriculum—graduates often transition directly into threat intelligence and incident response roles with minimal onboarding.
At the master's level, southeast Missouri State's approach to information security integrates cybersecurity topics across its computer science and information technology programs, with growing emphasis on applied security skills aligned to industry demand in the region. The program leverages Cape Girardeau's position near growing tech sectors and provides students with exposure to practical security challenges through partnerships with local organizations and hands-on laboratory work. Courses address network security, system hardening, and basic cryptographic principles within a computer science context, supported by faculty with industry experience. The program design reflects Southeast Missouri State's commitment to workforce development and regional economic growth, with attention to making security education accessible to students from diverse backgrounds. Guest practitioners and industry speakers supplement classroom instruction, bringing current threat landscape perspectives and career insights directly to students. Graduates typically move into entry-to-mid-level security roles in regional organizations or pursue further study at graduate institutions.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Information Security — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Information Security — 1-2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: FireEye, Mandiant, CrowdStrike, Emerson Electric Company, Enterprise Holding, Accretive Health, Big-River Communications, MasterCard.
Accreditations and Certifications
- ABET's Computing Accreditation Commission
- NSA
- DHS
Location Advantages: Regional employer connections in Cape Girardeau area
Fontbonne University — Saint Louis, MO
Key Distinction: Emphasizes ethical decision-making and organizational context within technical security curriculum, preparing graduates for risk management and governance roles alongside technical positions.
Hakia Insight: Fontbonne's ethical decision-making framework at the graduate level differentiates candidates for chief information security officer tracks, where governance judgment outweighs technical chops and command premium salaries.
At the master's level, fontbonne University approaches information security as an applied discipline rooted in ethical decision-making and organizational context. The program integrates security technical skills with business acumen, preparing graduates to communicate security risks to non-technical stakeholders—a skill often missing in purely technical programs. Coursework spans network security, database security, access control, and incident management, but consistently asks *why* organizations adopt these controls and *how* they align with strategic objectives. This integration appeals to students interested in security roles that bridge technical and business functions: security audit, vendor risk management, governance roles, or information security management. Fontbonne's smaller class sizes enable faculty-led projects with local organizations, where students conduct actual security assessments and present findings to organizational leadership. The curriculum includes modules on cybersecurity law, ethics, and privacy regulations, reflecting the reality that modern security professionals navigate legal and compliance landscapes as much as technical ones. Graduates report strong outcomes in roles focused on risk management, compliance, and security governance—areas where demand remains high and Fontbonne's emphasis on organizational context provides competitive advantage over narrowly technical competitors.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Information Security — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Information Security — 1-2 years, online
Location Advantages: St. Louis regional network; access to financial services and healthcare organizations prioritizing risk management
