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Key Takeaways
Best information security degree programs: Stevens Institute of Tech..., New Jersey City, Felician
Ranked by graduation rates, program outcomes, and institutional quality
Tuition ranges from $2,856 to $58,680/year
Essex County College offers the most affordable option at $8,054/yr
Information Security degree programs available: 7 associate's, 7 master's in New Jersey
From community college pathways to advanced research degrees
1 online information security degree programs in New Jersey
Flexible scheduling for working professionals
New Jersey community college transfer can save 40-60% on total degree costs
7 associate's programs provide transfer pathways to bachelor's degrees
Education Commission of the States
Major employers: Johnson & Johnson, Prudential, Merck, Verizon
Tech hubs in Jersey City and Newark
Hakia Research 2026
Information Security degree programs near 86+ cities across New Jersey
Search by city to find programs within 200 miles of your location
Updated July 13, 2026
How we ranked New Jersey Information Security programs
We rank 17 accredited information security programs in New Jersey 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 New Jersey Worth It?
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024
Information Security Degree Rankings in New Jersey
Compare the top-ranked Information Security programs in New Jersey by degree level. Tuition, graduation rate, and Hakia Score for every accredited program.
Best Associate's Information Security Programs in New Jersey
Program Landscape
New Jersey offers 7 accredited associate's degree programs in information security, providing an affordable entry point into the technology field. The top-ranked programs include Essex County College, Bergen Community College, Hudson County Community C..., which combine rigorous technical curriculum with practical skills training.
Costs & Value
Community colleges in New Jersey offer these two-year programs at an average cost of $6,431/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 $67,540 in New Jersey.
Career Pathways
Many programs feature guaranteed transfer agreements with New Jersey's public universities, allowing students to complete their first two years at reduced cost before transferring to complete a bachelor's degree. The Jersey City, Newark, Princeton areas offer particularly strong job markets for associate's degree holders, with employers like Johnson & Johnson, Prudential, Merck 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 New Jersey, these associate's programs offer the best value for students beginning their information security degrees in New Jersey.
Best Bachelor's Information Security Programs in New Jersey
Program Landscape
New Jersey ranks among the nation's top destinations for information security education, with 3 accredited bachelor's degree programs across 1 public and 2 private institutions. The highest-ranked programs are Stevens Institute of Tech..., New Jersey City, Felician, recognized for academic excellence, research opportunities, and strong industry connections.
Career Outcomes
Graduates from New Jersey information security programs earn a median salary of $104,380, 6% above the national average. The state's robust technology sector, anchored by the Jersey City, Newark, Princeton metropolitan areas, provides abundant internship and employment opportunities with companies including Johnson & Johnson, Prudential, Merck.
Costs & Value
Tuition ranges from $13,785 to $58,680 annually, with an average of $35,882/yr. Top programs maintain graduation rates above 81%, with the highest reaching 88%. 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 New Jersey's leading technology employers. For students seeking information security degrees in New Jersey, these top-ranked information security schools offer the strongest combination of academic rigor and career preparation.
Stevens Institute of Technology
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus
Best Master's Information Security Programs in New Jersey
Program Landscape
New Jersey offers 7 master's degree programs in information security, designed for professionals seeking to advance into senior engineering, technical leadership, and specialized roles. The top programs, New Jersey Institute of T..., Rowan, Thomas Edison State, combine advanced technical training with research opportunities and leadership development.
Career Outcomes
Master's graduates in New Jersey earn a median salary of $122,800, approximately 20-30% higher than bachelor's degree holders. The concentration of technology companies in Jersey City, Newark, Princeton creates strong demand for graduate-level talent, with Johnson & Johnson, Prudential, Merck 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 $19,318/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 New Jersey's information security schools at the graduate level, these programs stand out for both academic quality and career outcomes.
Show all 8 ranked programs
| Rank | School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #6 | Saint Peter's University | Jersey City, NJ | Private nonprofit | $41,152 | 58% | 64.1 |
| #7 | Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus | Teaneck, NJ | Private nonprofit | $35,830 | 53% | 62.9 |
| #8 | New Jersey City University | Jersey City, NJ | Public | $14,268 | 34% | 56.3 |
Information Security Degree Costs & Tuition in New Jersey
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average in-state tuition | $17,131/year |
| Average out-of-state tuition | $42,828/year |
| Community college tuition | $4,283/year |
| 4-year savings for residents | $102,788 |
| 2+2 transfer pathway savings | $25,696 |
Source: IPEDS 2024
Financial Aid & Scholarships for Information Security Students in New Jersey
State Aid Programs
TAG grants provide $2,176 to $14,404 per year for NJ residents attending in-state institutions (HESAA TAG Grant). For information security students, TAG combined with federal Pell Grants of up to $7,395 can cover most community college tuition and significantly reduce university costs. FAFSA must be filed by April 15 to qualify for TAG. Students should file as early as possible after October 1 to maximize all financial aid sources. HESAA administers TAG along with other NJ state grants, making it the single largest source of state-funded financial aid for NJ students.
Key Programs & Amounts
Cybersecurity-specific scholarships and programs:
- CyberCorps Scholarship for Service (SFS): Federal program covering full tuition plus $25,000-$34,000/year stipend in exchange for government service after graduation. Available at CAE-designated institutions like NJIT.
- NJ STARS/NJ STARS II: Full community college tuition for top 15% graduates, plus transfer scholarships
- DoD Cyber Scholarship Program: Full tuition plus stipend for students committing to DoD cybersecurity careers
- NJIT Provost Scholarship: Up to $14,000/year based on academic merit
- (ISC)2 Scholarships: Cybersecurity-specific awards from the CISSP certification body
- NCWIT Aspirations Awards: For women pursuing computing and security careers The CyberCorps SFS program is particularly valuable, providing full funding with guaranteed government employment.
Institutional Scholarships
Employer tuition reimbursement is especially strong in cybersecurity.
Due to the severe talent shortage (3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity positions globally), employers aggressively invest in workforce development. Goldman Sachs, Prudential, Merck, and Johnson & Johnson offer $5,250-$15,000/year in tuition assistance. Many defense contractors provide full tuition coverage for employees pursuing security degrees and certifications. Certification reimbursement is near-universal among NJ security employers, covering $350-$750 per certification exam. Given information security salaries of $100,000-$140,000 in NJ, the ROI on educational investment is among the highest in any field.
Information Security Degree ROI Calculator, New Jersey
Use our interactive ROI calculator to estimate your return on investment for a information security degree in New Jersey. 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
+1116%
Net gain divided by total investment. ROI above 200% is considered excellent for education investments.
$2,064,777
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.
$94,118
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 New Jersey metro areas
View data table
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Jersey City | $135K |
| Newark | $129K |
| Princeton | $123K |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024
Hakia.com
Top Employers Hiring Information Security Graduates in New Jersey
Find information security jobs in New Jersey. These major employers across New Jersey metro areas are actively hiring information security degree holders. Click employer names to view current job openings.
Information Security Jobs in Jersey City
NJInformation Security Jobs in Newark
NJInformation Security Jobs in Princeton
NJTransfer Pathways for Information Security Degrees in New Jersey
State Transfer System
NJ Transfer enables structured pathways from community colleges into four-year information security programs (NJ Transfer). Students completing an AS or AA degree receive guaranteed junior standing at NJ public universities. For information security students, this means completing foundational coursework in programming, networking, operating systems, and introductory security at community college prices before transferring to NJIT's cybersecurity program or Rutgers' CS program with security concentration. The course equivalency database allows students to verify credit transfer for every course before enrolling.
How Transfers Work
Community college cybersecurity programs are growing rapidly across New Jersey. Bergen Community College, Brookdale Community College, and Union County College offer AAS degrees in Cybersecurity and related certificates. Students should complete:
- Introduction to Programming (Python or Java)
- Networking Fundamentals (CompTIA Network+ preparation)
- Operating Systems (Windows and Linux administration)
- Introduction to Cybersecurity
- Mathematics through Discrete Math or Statistics Lampitt Law protects transfer students by guaranteeing that completed associate degrees transfer as a complete block. Students should also earn CompTIA Security+ during community college, as it satisfies DoD 8570 requirements and enhances transfer applications.
Transfer Planning Tips
The 2+2 transfer pathway saves $15,000-$20,000 compared to starting at a four-year university. Community college cybersecurity programs cost $5,000-$7,000/year versus $12,000-$17,000 at public universities. NJ STARS covers full community college tuition for top 15% graduates, and NJ STARS II continues support after transfer. The NJ Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell (NJCCIC) provides additional resources connecting students with cybersecurity career pathways. NJIT actively recruits community college transfer students into its CAE-designated cybersecurity program. Explore associate's security programs or bachelor's rankings.
Why Pursue an Information Security Degree in New Jersey?
Industry & Workforce
New Jersey is a cybersecurity hotspot driven by the state's massive concentration of financial services, pharmaceutical, and critical infrastructure sectors that demand strong information security. The financial corridor from Jersey City to Newark processes trillions of dollars annually, making it a high-value target for cyber threats and creating enormous demand for security professionals (NJEDA Innovation Economy). Goldman Sachs, Prudential Financial, and Cognizant invest heavily in cybersecurity teams to protect trading platforms, customer data, and regulatory compliance systems. New Jersey's 12 Strategic Innovation Centers generate $17 billion in economic output, with cybersecurity underpinning every sector.
Salary Outlook
Information security professionals in New Jersey earn between $100,000 and $140,000 annually, with senior security architects and CISOs exceeding $175,000 (BLS OEWS New Jersey May 2024, Glassdoor). The BLS projects 32% growth in information security analyst positions through 2034, making it one of the fastest-growing occupations in the country (BLS OOH). NJ's pharmaceutical sector adds unique demand for HIPAA security expertise, while the data center boom from QTS, Equinix, CoreSite, and AWS requires physical and logical security specialists.
Regional Tech Hubs
The NJ Fintech Accelerator at Stevens Institute of Technology specifically focuses on cybersecurity innovation for financial services (Stevens Fintech). NJIT offers dedicated cybersecurity degree programs, and multiple NJ institutions hold NSA/DHS Center of Academic Excellence designations. Compare NJ information security programs with those in New York, Virginia, or explore national cybersecurity rankings.
Information Security Program Availability in New Jersey
Source: IPEDS 2024
Information Security Job Market & Salary Data in New Jersey
Employment Outlook
New Jersey's information security job market is among the strongest in the nation, fueled by regulatory requirements in financial services and healthcare. The state's 116,000+ tech workers include a rapidly growing cybersecurity segment (CompTIA Cyberstates 2025). Financial institutions in Jersey City are subject to NYDFS Cybersecurity Regulation, SEC cybersecurity rules, and PCI DSS requirements, creating compliance-driven demand for security professionals. Goldman Sachs alone employs hundreds of security engineers in Jersey City, with security analyst positions starting at $110,000-$130,000 including sign-on bonuses.
Salaries by Metro
Key information security specializations in demand across NJ:
- Financial security: SOC analysts, penetration testers, and compliance specialists for banks and fintech firms in Jersey City and Newark
- Pharmaceutical security: HIPAA security officers, clinical data protection specialists at Merck, Johnson & Johnson, and Novartis
- Data center security: Physical and logical security for QTS, Equinix, and CoreSite facilities
- Government and defense: Security-cleared analysts for Fort Monmouth-area defense contractors
- Healthcare security: Hospital network protection across NJ's major health systems (RWJBarnabas, Hackensack Meridian) The 32% national growth rate for information security analysts translates to even higher demand in NJ's compliance-heavy industries (BLS OOH).
High-Growth Sectors
Entry-level information security positions are accessible in New Jersey, with SOC analyst roles starting at $75,000-$90,000 for candidates with relevant certifications (Security+, CySA+). The state's large managed security service provider (MSSP) market, including Cognizant and other IT consultancies, hires junior analysts who monitor security operations for multiple clients. New Jersey's proximity to NYC expands the accessible job market further, with thousands of additional security positions reachable by commute. For related career paths, explore cybersecurity degree programs or network administration.
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 New Jersey
Online Programs
1 available in New Jersey
On-Campus Programs
Traditional classroom experience
Compare Information Security Programs in Other States
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Information Security Degree Programs in New Jersey: FAQ
What are the best information security degree programs in New Jersey?
How much do information security degree programs cost in New Jersey?
What salary can information security degree graduates earn in New Jersey?
Are there online information security degree programs in New Jersey?
What companies hire information security degree graduates in New Jersey?
Is an information security degree program worth it in New Jersey?
How long do information security degree programs take in New Jersey?
What financial aid is available for information security degree students in New Jersey?
Data Sources
Institutional characteristics, completions, graduation rates
New Jersey 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.