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Key Takeaways
Best information security degree programs: Pennsylvania State, Pennsylvania State Univer..., Drexel
Ranked by graduation rates, program outcomes, and institutional quality
Tuition ranges from $6,990 to $62,260/year
Community College of Alle... offers the most affordable option at $7,560/yr
Information Security degree programs available: 13 associate's, 12 master's in Pennsylvania
From community college pathways to advanced research degrees
24 online information security degree programs in Pennsylvania
Flexible scheduling for working professionals
Pennsylvania community college transfer can save 40-60% on total degree costs
13 associate's programs provide transfer pathways to bachelor's degrees
Education Commission of the States
Major employers: Comcast, SAP, Vanguard, Bentley Systems
Tech hubs in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh
Hakia Research 2026
Information Security degree programs near 162+ cities across Pennsylvania
Search by city to find programs within 200 miles of your location
Updated July 13, 2026
How we ranked Pennsylvania Information Security programs
We rank 45 accredited information security programs in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania Worth It?
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024
Information Security Degree Rankings in Pennsylvania
Compare the top-ranked Information Security programs in Pennsylvania by degree level. Tuition, graduation rate, and Hakia Score for every accredited program.
Best Associate's Information Security Programs in Pennsylvania
Program Landscape
Pennsylvania offers 13 accredited associate's degree programs in information security, providing an affordable entry point into the technology field. The top-ranked programs include Community College of Alle..., Community College of Phil..., Harrisburg Area Community..., which combine rigorous technical curriculum with practical skills training.
Costs & Value
Community colleges in Pennsylvania offer these two-year programs at an average cost of $9,102/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 $59,857 in Pennsylvania.
Career Pathways
Many programs feature guaranteed transfer agreements with Pennsylvania's public universities, allowing students to complete their first two years at reduced cost before transferring to complete a bachelor's degree. The Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg areas offer particularly strong job markets for associate's degree holders, with employers like Comcast, SAP, Vanguard 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 Pennsylvania, these associate's programs offer the best value for students beginning their information security degrees in Pennsylvania.
Valley Forge Military College
Community College of Philadelphia
Show all 11 ranked programs
| Rank | School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #6 | Northampton County Area Community College | Bethlehem, PA | Public | $7,800 | 24% | 67.4 |
| #7 | Harrisburg Area Community College | Harrisburg, PA | Public | $7,995 | 21% | 67.2 |
| #8 | Lehigh Carbon Community College | Schnecksville, PA | Public | $7,500 | 30% | 65.3 |
| #9 | Westmoreland County Community College | Youngwood, PA | Public | $8,400 | 31% | 65.3 |
| #10 | Community College of Allegheny County | Pittsburgh, PA | Public | $7,560 | 24% | 63.3 |
| #11 | Community College of Beaver County | Monaca, PA | Public | $11,220 | 12% | 55.0 |
Best Bachelor's Information Security Programs in Pennsylvania
Program Landscape
Pennsylvania ranks among the nation's top destinations for information security education, with 20 accredited bachelor's degree programs across 8 public and 12 private institutions. The highest-ranked programs are Pennsylvania State, Pennsylvania State Univer..., Drexel, recognized for academic excellence, research opportunities, and strong industry connections.
Career Outcomes
Graduates from Pennsylvania information security programs earn a median salary of $92,506, 6% below the national average. The state's robust technology sector, anchored by the Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg metropolitan areas, provides abundant internship and employment opportunities with companies including Comcast, SAP, Vanguard.
Costs & Value
Tuition ranges from $7,716 to $58,293 annually, with an average of $27,586/yr. Top programs maintain graduation rates above 83%, with the highest reaching 98%. 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 Pennsylvania's leading technology employers. For students seeking information security degrees in Pennsylvania, these top-ranked information security schools offer the strongest combination of academic rigor and career preparation.
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
Drexel University
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
Show all 22 ranked programs
| Rank | School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #6 | Saint Vincent College | Latrobe, PA | Private nonprofit | $41,180 | 69% | 79.9 |
| #7 | Saint Francis University | Loretto, PA | Private nonprofit | $25,288 | 74% | 79.1 |
| #8 | York College of Pennsylvania | York, PA | Private nonprofit | $23,000 | 64% | 78.8 |
| #9 | Gannon University | Erie, PA | Private nonprofit | $39,270 | 66% | 78.4 |
| #10 | Immaculata University | Immaculata, PA | Private nonprofit | $28,130 | 71% | 77.8 |
| #11 | Seton Hill University | Greensburg, PA | Private nonprofit | $42,294 | 67% | 75.4 |
| #12 | Mercyhurst University | Erie, PA | Private nonprofit | $42,840 | 60% | 74.2 |
| #13 | Pennsylvania College of Technology | Williamsport, PA | Public | $15,450 | 53% | 72.3 |
| #14 | Geneva College | Beaver Falls, PA | Private nonprofit | $32,080 | 61% | 72.1 |
| #15 | Neumann University | Aston, PA | Private nonprofit | $37,020 | 54% | 70.3 |
| #16 | Pennsylvania State University-World Campus | University Park, PA | Public | $15,356 | 34% | 69.5 |
| #17 | East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania | East Stroudsburg, PA | Public | $7,716 | 43% | 64.6 |
| #18 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg | Middletown, PA | Public | $15,388 | 26% | 62.9 |
| #19 | Harrisburg University of Science and Technology | Harrisburg, PA | Private nonprofit | $23,900 | 34% | 61.6 |
| #20 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks | Reading, PA | Public | $15,388 | 32% | 59.6 |
| #21 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona | Altoona, PA | Public | $15,388 | 17% | 59.3 |
| #22 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Brandywine | Media, PA | Public | $14,624 | 26% | 58.9 |
Best Master's Information Security Programs in Pennsylvania
Program Landscape
Pennsylvania offers 12 master's degree programs in information security, designed for professionals seeking to advance into senior engineering, technical leadership, and specialized roles. The top programs, Carnegie Mellon, Pennsylvania State Univer..., Drexel, combine advanced technical training with research opportunities and leadership development.
Career Outcomes
Master's graduates in Pennsylvania earn a median salary of $108,830, approximately 20-30% higher than bachelor's degree holders. The concentration of technology companies in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg creates strong demand for graduate-level talent, with Comcast, SAP, Vanguard 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 $34,478/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 Pennsylvania's information security schools at the graduate level, these programs stand out for both academic quality and career outcomes.
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
Drexel University
Show all 12 ranked programs
| Rank | School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #6 | Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia | Philadelphia, PA | Private nonprofit | $53,060 | 79% | 73.7 |
| #7 | Mercyhurst University | Erie, PA | Private nonprofit | $42,840 | 60% | 70.9 |
| #8 | Geneva College | Beaver Falls, PA | Private nonprofit | $32,080 | 61% | 69.3 |
| #9 | Robert Morris University | Moon Township, PA | Private nonprofit | $34,360 | 66% | 69.2 |
| #10 | Pennsylvania State University-World Campus | University Park, PA | Public | $15,356 | 34% | 65.5 |
| #11 | Pennsylvania Western University | California, PA | Public | $7,716 | 52% | 63.9 |
| #12 | La Salle University | Philadelphia, PA | Private nonprofit | $36,000 | 57% | 61.5 |
Information Security Degree Costs & Tuition in Pennsylvania
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average in-state tuition | $22,559/year |
| Average out-of-state tuition | $56,398/year |
| Community college tuition | $5,640/year |
| 4-year savings for residents | $135,356 |
| 2+2 transfer pathway savings | $33,838 |
Source: IPEDS 2024
Financial Aid & Scholarships for Information Security Students in Pennsylvania
State Aid Programs
Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) provides need-based grants for state residents pursuing cybersecurity education.
The PA State Grant program awards funds based on family income and enrollment status, with amounts varying by institutional costs. Students must complete the FAFSA annually and maintain satisfactory academic progress to continue receiving aid.
Key Programs & Amounts
Federal programs like the CyberCorps Scholarship for Service offer full tuition coverage for information security students.
Recipients commit to working in government cybersecurity roles for periods equal to their scholarship duration. The National Science Foundation funds these scholarships at participating Pennsylvania universities, covering tuition, fees, and providing stipends for living expenses.
Institutional Scholarships
Industry partnerships create additional scholarship opportunities through companies seeking future employees.
Major Pennsylvania employers often sponsor students through their final two years in exchange for internship and employment commitments. Students can find detailed information about funding options through comprehensive financial aid guide resources that explain federal, state, and institutional aid programs.
Information Security Degree ROI Calculator, Pennsylvania
Use our interactive ROI calculator to estimate your return on investment for a information security degree in Pennsylvania. 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
+802%
Net gain divided by total investment. ROI above 200% is considered excellent for education investments.
$1,483,492
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.
$118,182
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 Pennsylvania metro areas
View data table
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Philadelphia | $120K |
| Pittsburgh | $114K |
| Harrisburg | $109K |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024
Hakia.com
Top Employers Hiring Information Security Graduates in Pennsylvania
Find information security jobs in Pennsylvania. These major employers across Pennsylvania metro areas are actively hiring information security degree holders. Click employer names to view current job openings.
Information Security Jobs in Philadelphia
PAPhiladelphia has a strong fintech and pharma tech presence, anchored by Comcast and Vanguard.
Nearby cities: King of Prussia, Conshohocken, Malvern, Wayne
Information Security Jobs in Pittsburgh
PAPittsburgh is a robotics and AI hub, with CMU research spinning off major autonomous vehicle and AI companies.
Nearby cities: Oakland, Shadyside, Strip District, Squirrel Hill
Pennsylvania Tech Industry & Infrastructure
Pennsylvania's tech market is split between Philadelphia (financial services, healthcare-IT, Comcast's media-tech footprint) and Pittsburgh (Carnegie Mellon-anchored robotics, AI/ML research, and autonomous vehicle engineering). The state's mid-Atlantic location, lower cost of living vs NY/NJ, and CMU's pipeline make it one of the strongest second-tier tech hubs in the US.
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh metro
Carnegie Mellon University drives one of the most research-active tech ecosystems in the country. Anchor employers: Google's Pittsburgh AI lab, Aurora Innovation (autonomous trucking), Duolingo HQ, Aurora Innovation. Strong robotics, AI/ML, and autonomous-systems engineering market.
Philadelphia
Philadelphia-Camden metro
Comcast HQ anchors a deep media-tech and telecom-engineering market. Vanguard, Independence Blue Cross, and a substantial healthcare-IT cluster (UPenn Health, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia tech) round out the employer base.
Harrisburg / Capital Region
Harrisburg metro
State government IT, defense contractors near Carlisle Barracks, and a growing data-center cluster. Smaller market but accessible cost of living.
Pennsylvania levies a flat state income tax (3.07%). PA-TIP (Targeted Industry Program) provides forgivable loans for STEM students who work in PA after graduation.
Pennsylvania Regulation Affecting Information Security Graduates
Pennsylvania has not passed a comprehensive consumer privacy law on the scale of CCPA or VCDPA, but the state's Breach of Personal Information Notification Act and recent legislative activity on AI and biometric data shape the engineering compliance landscape for any company serving PA residents.
Pennsylvania Breach of Personal Information Notification Act
Requires businesses to notify PA residents of data breaches involving personal information; recently amended (Act 151 of 2022) to expand definitions and tighten timelines.
Engineers building data-handling systems for PA-resident-serving businesses must implement breach detection, logging, and notification workflows.
Read morePennsylvania consumer privacy legislation (proposed)
Multiple bills have been introduced (HB 1201, HB 708) to create comprehensive consumer privacy rights similar to CCPA/VCDPA; none has passed as of 2026.
Engineers should watch this space — PA passing comprehensive privacy would add to the patchwork of state laws governing consumer data work.
Read morePennsylvania Computer Crimes Act (18 Pa.C.S. § 7611 et seq.)
State-level computer fraud and unauthorized access statute, parallel to federal CFAA. Establishes Pennsylvania jurisdiction over cyber offenses.
Relevant for cybersecurity professionals working in incident response, ethical hacking, or security research within PA.
Read moreProfessional Engineer Licensure in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania does not currently administer a separate Software Engineering PE license. Standard engineering disciplines (mechanical, electrical, civil) require ABET-EAC accreditation for PE eligibility, but software engineering is not a recognized PE discipline in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania licensing boardPennsylvania Financial Aid Programs
PA State Grant Program (PHEAA)
State grantUp to $5,750/yr
PA residents with financial need at approved PA institutions or some out-of-state schools
Pennsylvania Targeted Industry Program (PA-TIP)
Forgivable loan / STEM grantUp to $5,750/yr
PA students enrolled in approved STEM programs (CS, engineering, healthcare tech, advanced manufacturing) who commit to PA employment after graduation
Pennsylvania Ready to Succeed Scholarship
State merit-need scholarshipUp to $2,000/yr
PA residents with family income up to $110,000 and academic achievement
Chafee Education and Training Grant
State grantUp to $5,000/yr
Current/former PA foster youth pursuing post-secondary education or training
Transfer Pathways for Information Security Degrees in Pennsylvania
State Transfer System
Pennsylvania's community college system provides structured transfer pathways into four-year information security programs.
Students can complete general education requirements and introductory computer science courses at community colleges before transferring. Many schools have established articulation agreements that guarantee credit transfer for specific coursework sequences.
How Transfers Work
Transfer students enter programs as juniors after completing foundational mathematics and programming requirements.
Universities often require calculus, statistics, and at least two programming languages before students can enroll in advanced security courses. Some schools offer summer bridge programs to help transfer students adjust to university-level cybersecurity coursework. Students should explore best online degrees information security for additional transfer-friendly options.
Information Security Job Growth in Pennsylvania
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook
Information Security Job Market & Salary Data in Pennsylvania
Employment Outlook
Pennsylvania's technology sector shows steady employment growth, with multiple career fairs connecting students to employers throughout the year.
Penn State alone hosts Fall Career Days, Spring Career Days, and specialized tech events that attract hundreds of companies (Penn State Career Events). These events indicate strong employer demand for cybersecurity talent across the state.
Salaries by Metro
The artificial intelligence boom creates new security job categories in Pennsylvania metropolitan areas.
Research shows AI activity is widening beyond traditional tech centers to include emerging metro areas, with Pennsylvania cities participating in this expansion (Brookings AI Economy Report). Security professionals who understand AI systems, machine learning vulnerabilities, and data protection for AI applications find increased opportunities.
High-Growth Sectors
Career prospects extend beyond private sector roles to include government and public service positions.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania offers paid internships and career opportunities in technology fields, providing alternative career paths for security professionals (Pennsylvania Commonwealth Internships). Students can explore related fields through software developer career information to understand adjacent opportunities.
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 Pennsylvania
Online Programs
24 available in Pennsylvania
On-Campus Programs
Traditional classroom experience
Compare Information Security Programs in Other States
- Total Programs
- 57
- Median Tuition
- $17,800
- Total Programs
- 17
- Median Tuition
- $11,300
- Total Programs
- 24
- Median Tuition
- $7,600
- Total Programs
- 15
- Median Tuition
- $8,400
- Total Programs
- 32
- Median Tuition
- $9,600
- Total Programs
- 39
- Median Tuition
- $1,300
- Total Programs
- 30
- Median Tuition
- $4,300
Information Security Degree Programs in Pennsylvania: FAQ
What are the best information security degree programs in Pennsylvania?
How much do information security degree programs cost in Pennsylvania?
What salary can information security degree graduates earn in Pennsylvania?
Are there online information security degree programs in Pennsylvania?
What companies hire information security degree graduates in Pennsylvania?
Is an information security degree program worth it in Pennsylvania?
How long do information security degree programs take in Pennsylvania?
What financial aid is available for information security degree students in Pennsylvania?
Data Sources
Institutional characteristics, completions, graduation rates
Pennsylvania 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.