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Key Takeaways
Best information security degree programs: Montreat College, Guilford College, Campbell
Ranked by graduation rates, program outcomes, and institutional quality
Tuition ranges from $2,076 to $40,400/year
Wake Technical Community ... offers the most affordable option at $2,076/yr
Information Security degree programs available: 3 associate's, 2 master's in North Carolina
From community college pathways to advanced research degrees
6 online information security degree programs in North Carolina
Flexible scheduling for working professionals
North Carolina community college transfer can save 40-60% on total degree costs
3 associate's programs provide transfer pathways to bachelor's degrees
Education Commission of the States
Major employers: IBM, Cisco, Red Hat, SAS
Tech hubs in Raleigh and Charlotte
Hakia Research 2026
Information Security degree programs near 92+ cities across North Carolina
Search by city to find programs within 200 miles of your location
Updated June 27, 2026
How we ranked North Carolina Information Security programs
We rank 9 accredited information security programs in North Carolina 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 North Carolina Worth It?
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024
Information Security Degree Rankings in North Carolina
Compare the top-ranked Information Security programs in North Carolina by degree level. Tuition, graduation rate, and Hakia Score for every accredited program.
Best Associate's Information Security Programs in North Carolina
Program Landscape
North Carolina offers 3 accredited associate's degree programs in information security, providing an affordable entry point into the technology field. The top-ranked programs include Wake Technical Community ..., MyComputerCareer at Raleigh, Montreat College, which combine rigorous technical curriculum with practical skills training.
Costs & Value
Community colleges in North Carolina offer these two-year programs at an average cost of $16,768/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 $59,037 in North Carolina.
Career Pathways
Many programs feature guaranteed transfer agreements with North Carolina's public universities, allowing students to complete their first two years at reduced cost before transferring to complete a bachelor's degree. The Raleigh, Charlotte, Durham areas offer particularly strong job markets for associate's degree holders, with employers like IBM, Cisco, Red Hat 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 North Carolina, these associate's programs offer the best value for students beginning their information security degrees in North Carolina.
Best Bachelor's Information Security Programs in North Carolina
Program Landscape
North Carolina ranks among the nation's top destinations for information security education, with 4 accredited bachelor's degree programs across 1 public and 3 private institutions. The highest-ranked programs are Montreat College, Guilford College, Campbell, recognized for academic excellence, research opportunities, and strong industry connections.
Career Outcomes
Graduates from North Carolina information security programs earn a median salary of $91,239, 7% below the national average. The state's robust technology sector, anchored by the Raleigh, Charlotte, Durham metropolitan areas, provides abundant internship and employment opportunities with companies including IBM, Cisco, Red Hat.
Costs & Value
Tuition ranges from $4,443 to $40,400 annually, with an average of $28,513/yr. Top programs maintain graduation rates above 87%, 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 North Carolina's leading technology employers. For students seeking information security degrees in North Carolina, these top-ranked information security schools offer the strongest combination of academic rigor and career preparation.
University of North Carolina Wilmington
Best Master's Information Security Programs in North Carolina
Program Landscape
North Carolina offers 2 master's degree programs in information security, designed for professionals seeking to advance into senior engineering, technical leadership, and specialized roles. The top programs, North Carolina A & T State, U of North Carolina at Ch..., combine advanced technical training with research opportunities and leadership development.
Career Outcomes
Master's graduates in North Carolina earn a median salary of $107,340, approximately 20-30% higher than bachelor's degree holders. The concentration of technology companies in Raleigh, Charlotte, Durham creates strong demand for graduate-level talent, with IBM, Cisco, Red Hat 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 $3,676/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 North Carolina's information security schools at the graduate level, these programs stand out for both academic quality and career outcomes.
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Information Security Degree Costs & Tuition in North Carolina
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average in-state tuition | $17,640/year |
| Average out-of-state tuition | $44,100/year |
| Community college tuition | $4,410/year |
| 4-year savings for residents | $105,840 |
| 2+2 transfer pathway savings | $26,460 |
Source: IPEDS 2024
Financial Aid & Scholarships for Information Security Students in North Carolina
State Aid Programs
The Next NC Scholarship provides support.
UNC System students from families earning $80,000 or less receive at least $5,000/year, while community college students receive $3,000/year (CFNC). The scholarship covers tuition, fees, books, food, and housing. Application is automatic through FAFSA with priority deadlines June 1 (UNC System) and August 15 (community colleges).
Key Programs & Amounts
NC Promise offers exceptional value at four campuses.
Elizabeth City State, Fayetteville State, UNC Pembroke, and Western Carolina charge just $500/semester for in-state undergraduates. Combined with Pell Grants (up to $7,395 in 2024-25), many students attend at zero out-of-pocket cost.
Institutional Scholarships
Additional funding supports information security students.
Park Scholarships and Goodnight Scholars at NC State support exceptional STEM students. Duke meets 100% of demonstrated need. Industry scholarships from technology employers supplement institutional aid. Complete FAFSA by March 1 for maximum consideration. Explore most affordable programs or best value rankings.
Information Security Degree ROI Calculator, North Carolina
Use our interactive ROI calculator to estimate your return on investment for a information security degree in North Carolina. 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
+750%
Net gain divided by total investment. ROI above 200% is considered excellent for education investments.
$1,386,612
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.
$131,579
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 North Carolina metro areas
View data table
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Raleigh | $118K |
| Charlotte | $113K |
| Durham | $107K |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024
Hakia.com
Top Employers Hiring Information Security Graduates in North Carolina
Find information security jobs in North Carolina. These major employers across North Carolina metro areas are actively hiring information security degree holders. Click employer names to view current job openings.
Information Security Jobs in raleighDurham
NCInformation Security Jobs in Charlotte
NCCharlotte is the second-largest banking center in the US. Bank of America and Wells Fargo drive fintech demand.
Nearby cities: Huntersville, Concord, Matthews, Gastonia, Rock Hill, Mooresville
North Carolina Tech Industry & Infrastructure
North Carolina's Research Triangle (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill) is one of the densest US tech corridors per capita, anchored by three major research universities (NC State, Duke, UNC Chapel Hill) and a 7,000-acre Research Triangle Park hosting hundreds of tech employers. Charlotte separately operates as a top-tier US financial-services tech hub.
Research Triangle
Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill metros
Home to SAS Institute (analytics), IBM Research Triangle Park, Cisco, Red Hat (now IBM), Lenovo Americas HQ, Epic Games, Citrix, Bandwidth, and the Research Triangle Park complex. NC State CS, Duke CS, and UNC computer science all feed the local market — combined a top-10 US CS graduate pipeline.
Charlotte
Charlotte metro
Bank of America HQ and a top-3 US banking center. Wells Fargo, Truist, LendingTree, and dense fintech employment. Charlotte tech is heavily financial-services-coded; less consumer/startup but exceptionally stable employment.
Asheville / Western NC
Asheville metro
Smaller but growing remote-work and outdoor-industry tech market; not a primary tech destination but increasingly relevant for lifestyle-driven talent.
North Carolina has a flat state income tax (4.5% in 2026, scheduled to decline further). The NC Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) and One NC Fund are the principal tech-employer incentives — Apple's $1B+ RTP campus relocation was supported by these programs.
North Carolina Regulation Affecting Information Security Graduates
North Carolina has been more active on legislation around identity theft, biometrics, and AI in employment than on broad consumer privacy. The state's regulatory environment is generally employer-favorable but has tightened on data security since several high-profile state-government breaches.
NC Identity Theft Protection Act
Requires businesses to notify NC residents of data security breaches and sets minimum data-handling and disposal standards for personal information.
Standard breach-response compliance for any NC-resident-serving business; minimum technical standards have informed security-program design at NC-headquartered employers.
Read moreNC Computer Trespass Statute (N.C.G.S. § 14-453 et seq.)
State cybercrime law parallel to federal CFAA; covers unauthorized computer access, computer-related fraud, and damage to data.
Relevant for cybersecurity professionals doing incident response, penetration testing, or security research within NC.
Read moreNC Insurance Data Security Act
Adopted from the NAIC model; requires insurers and insurance-adjacent businesses to maintain comprehensive information security programs with risk assessments, incident response plans, and third-party oversight.
Drives security-engineering hiring at Charlotte-based insurance and financial-services employers; sets the technical bar for NC financial-services security teams.
Read moreProfessional Engineer Licensure in North Carolina
North Carolina does not currently administer a separate Software Engineering PE license. Standard engineering disciplines require ABET-EAC accreditation for PE eligibility; software engineering is not a recognized NC PE discipline. NC State's ABET-EAC software engineering program does qualify graduates for engineering tracks at federal agencies that recognize software engineering as engineering.
North Carolina licensing boardNorth Carolina Financial Aid Programs
NC Need-Based Scholarship (NCNBS)
State scholarshipUp to $11,150/yr
NC residents with demonstrated financial need at NC private colleges/universities
UNC Need-Based Grant
State grantVaries by institution and need; averages ~$3,500/yr
NC residents with financial need attending one of 16 UNC System universities
NC Education Lottery Scholarship
State grantUp to $5,100/yr at 4-year, $2,800/yr at community college
NC residents at NC public 2-year and 4-year institutions with financial need
NC Community College Grant
State grantUp to $2,800/yr
NC residents at NC community colleges with financial need
Transfer Pathways for Information Security Degrees in North Carolina
State Transfer System
The Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA) provides structured transfer pathways.
Students completing Associate degrees at NC community colleges with 2.0+ GPA receive guaranteed UNC System admission with 60-61 transfer credits (NC Community Colleges). The 2025 CAA revision, effective Spring 2026, adds enhanced protections and a Transfer Appeals Portal.
How Transfers Work
Specialized programs offer guaranteed flagship admission.
Wolfpack Connect guarantees NC State admission for students from Wake Tech, Central Piedmont, and Forsyth Tech with 3.0+ GPA. C-STEP at UNC Chapel Hill targets high-achieving community college transfers. Nearly 60% of UNC System transfers come from NC community colleges.
Transfer Planning Tips
Strategic planning maximizes transfer efficiency.
Key transferable courses include programming fundamentals, mathematics through calculus, and introductory coursework in network security. The Common Numbering System (CNS) database covers 1,600+ courses ensuring consistent transfer. Use CFNC.org's Transfer Student Planner to verify equivalencies. Explore affordable information security programs for transfer-friendly options.
Information Security Job Growth in North Carolina
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook
Information Security Job Market & Salary Data in North Carolina
Employment Outlook
North Carolina's information security job market reflects strong regional demand.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports median annual salaries of $129,866 statewide, with Raleigh-Durham paying 5-10% above state averages (BLS OEWS May 2024). Job growth is projected at 33% from 2022 to 2032, significantly faster than average occupations. Entry-level positions start at 70-80% of median salary, with rapid advancement for strong performers.
Salaries by Metro
Regional markets offer distinct opportunities.
The Research Triangle hosts the highest concentration of information security positions, with Bank of America and Wells Fargo leading hiring. Charlotte's financial sector creates demand for information security professionals in banking technology at Bank of America (investing $12 billion annually in technology), Wells Fargo, and Truist. Charlotte's tech workforce has grown 31% since 2020 with 118,000+ tech workers (Built In Charlotte).
High-Growth Sectors
Key employers shaping North Carolina's information security landscape include: Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Truist, Cisco, IBM, defense contractors. Defense contractors near Fort Bragg require cleared security professionals. For related career paths, explore computer science degrees, software engineering programs, or cybersecurity rankings.
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 North Carolina
Online Programs
6 available in North Carolina
On-Campus Programs
Traditional classroom experience
Compare Information Security Programs in Other States
- Total Programs
- 23
- Median Tuition
- $15,000
- Total Programs
- 9
- Median Tuition
- $20,400
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- 38
- Median Tuition
- $2,500
- Total Programs
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- Median Tuition
- $11,500
- 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
Information Security Degree Programs in North Carolina: FAQ
What are the best information security degree programs in North Carolina?
How much do information security degree programs cost in North Carolina?
What salary can information security degree graduates earn in North Carolina?
Are there online information security degree programs in North Carolina?
What companies hire information security degree graduates in North Carolina?
Is an information security degree program worth it in North Carolina?
How long do information security degree programs take in North Carolina?
What financial aid is available for information security degree students in North Carolina?
Data Sources
Institutional characteristics, completions, graduation rates
North Carolina 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.