Best Information Security Degree Programs in Tennessee — 2026 Rankings

State Aid Programs

Tennessee offers exceptional financial aid opportunities for students pursuing information security degrees. The state's flagship program, Tennessee Promise, covers full tuition and fees at community colleges, making associate's degrees in information security highly accessible. Additionally, the Tennessee HOPE Scholarship provides up to $4,500 annually for eligible students attending four-year institutions, significantly reducing out-of-pocket costs. These state-specific programs complement federal aid options available through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which opens doors to grants, loans, and work-study opportunities regardless of state residency.

Key Programs & Amounts

Beyond state grants, Tennessee's 17 institutions offering information security programs provide diverse scholarship opportunities. Many schools, particularly public universities with lower in-state tuition averaging $8,520, offer merit-based scholarships and institutional aid packages. The College Scorecard provides detailed aid data for each Tennessee institution, allowing students to compare net price and actual aid received. Students should also explore employer-sponsored tuition assistance through Tennessee's major employers, including Vanderbilt University, HCA Healthcare, Amazon, and FedEx, many of which offer educational benefits to employees and their dependents. Consulting with each institution's financial aid office ensures students maximize all available federal, state, and institutional funding sources.

Use our interactive ROI calculator to estimate your return on investment for a information security degree in Tennessee. 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.

State Transfer System

Tennessee's structured transfer system streamlines progression from community colleges to four-year universities, enabling students to earn associate degrees and seamlessly transfer toward bachelor's credentials. The Tennessee Transfer Pathways initiative (Tennessee Transfer Pathways) provides guaranteed transfer routes with articulation agreements that ensure course credit recognition across institutions. Currently, 3 community colleges and technical schools in Tennessee offer information security or related programs at the associate's level, including Jackson State Community College (ranked #1 for affordability at $4,224 tuition) and Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga (12 completions, the state's highest-producing associate's program). These pathways eliminate course redundancy and reduce time-to-degree for students pursuing bachelor's degrees.

How Transfers Work

Students beginning at community colleges benefit from significantly lower tuition costs—averaging far below the $8,520 public four-year in-state rate—while building foundational technical skills. The Tennessee Promise program (Tennessee Promise/HOPE) covers community college tuition entirely for eligible students, and HOPE scholarships extend to four-year institutions, supporting continued enrollment post-transfer. Transfer agreements ensure that graduates from programs at South College and Jackson State Community College transition smoothly into bachelor's programs at universities like Middle Tennessee State University ($7,536 tuition), Tennessee Technological University ($8,764 tuition), and East Tennessee State University ($7,706 tuition). Students should consult institutional advisors about specific pathway requirements and explore related technical fields like network administration and information technology to maximize credit applicability across transfer.

Industry & Workforce

Tennessee offers a robust landscape for information security education with 17 institutions currently offering dedicated programs across associate's, bachelor's, and master's degree levels (IPEDS). The state's commitment to cybersecurity education is evident through 11 bachelor's-granting institutions and 3 master's-level programs, providing students with diverse educational pathways. Leading institutions like Vanderbilt University, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville, and Middle Tennessee State University rank among the nation's best information security programs, combining academic excellence with practical industry experience. For students seeking affordable options, Tennessee's public four-year institutions average just $8,520 in in-state tuition, making quality education accessible (IPEDS).

Salary Outlook

Tennessee's tech ecosystem spans major metropolitan areas including Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga, each hosting significant corporate presences from employers like Amazon, FedEx, and Nissan. A unique financial advantage sets Tennessee apart: the state has no income tax, allowing graduates to retain more of their earned income. This advantage, combined with Tennessee Promise and HOPE financial aid programs (Tennessee Promise/HOPE), creates exceptional affordability for pursuing information security credentials. Students can explore related fields through cybersecurity programs and network administration in the state to build comprehensive technical expertise.

Employment Outlook

Tennessee's information security job market is experiencing robust growth across multiple sectors and geographic regions. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, cybersecurity and information security roles are among the fastest-growing positions in the state. Major employment hubs include Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga, where tech companies, healthcare systems, and financial institutions are actively recruiting security professionals. The state's lack of income tax provides a significant financial advantage for professionals earning competitive security salaries, effectively increasing take-home pay compared to neighboring states.

Salaries by Metro

The information security field in Tennessee encompasses 17 institutions offering programs across associate's, bachelor's, and master's degree levels, with 11 bachelor's-granting institutions alone (IPEDS Data). Job growth in cybersecurity roles continues to outpace national averages, driven by increasing digital transformation initiatives, regulatory compliance requirements, and growing threats to organizational data. Students graduating from Tennessee programs benefit from strong employer connections throughout the state, with opportunities spanning healthcare IT security, financial services, manufacturing, and technology sectors. The combination of quality educational institutions and abundant entry-level through advanced positions makes Tennessee an attractive destination for information security career development.

Core Requirements

Information security curricula in Tennessee are designed to equip students with both foundational and advanced technical competencies. Associate's degree programs at institutions like Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga (the state's leading program by completions with 12 graduates) and South College (8 completions) typically cover network fundamentals, basic cryptography, security protocols, and compliance frameworks. Bachelor's degree programs at universities including Middle Tennessee State University and Tennessee Technological University expand on these foundations with courses in advanced cryptography, penetration testing, security architecture, risk management, and security policy development. These programs often include hands-on laboratory components where students configure firewalls, conduct vulnerability assessments, and simulate threat scenarios using industry-standard tools.

Degree Pathways

Master's degree programs at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville and Vanderbilt University incorporate specialized coursework in advanced topics such as cloud security, incident response, forensics, and strategic security management. Many programs feature capstone projects, thesis requirements, or industry internships that connect academic learning to real-world security challenges. Curriculum alignment with industry certifications (CompTIA Security+, Certified Ethical Hacker, CISSP) is common, enabling students to pursue professional credentials while completing degrees. Students interested in complementary technical areas should explore cloud computing and network administration programs. For national context, review best bachelor's programs and best online programs.

Online Program Growth

Tennessee provides robust options for both online and traditional campus-based information security education. Top-ranked institutions including Vanderbilt University, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Middle Tennessee State University, Tennessee Technological University, and East Tennessee State University all offer online bachelor's degree pathways, enabling working professionals and geographically dispersed students to earn credentials without campus relocation. Online formats maintain identical curricular rigor and faculty expertise as on-campus cohorts while offering scheduling flexibility crucial for employed learners. Campus-based programs, conversely, provide hands-on lab environments, peer collaboration, and direct mentorship opportunities essential for developing practical cybersecurity skills. Many Tennessee institutions blend both approaches through hybrid formats combining synchronous classroom sessions with asynchronous online components.

Accredited Online Options

When choosing between online and campus delivery, consider your learning style, career timeline, and geographic location. Online programs eliminate commuting while accommodating full-time employment; Tennessee's online bachelor's rankings showcase institutions balancing accessibility with academic excellence. Campus attendance fosters networking within cybersecurity communities and often provides networking events with regional employers like Amazon, FedEx, and Nissan. Both delivery methods lead to identical degrees and career outcomes. Prospective students should investigate each institution's online infrastructure, support services, and student outcomes through the College Scorecard. Visit program websites for synchronous class schedules, asynchronous content availability, and support for online learners before enrolling.

Tennessee's major metropolitan areas offer distinct advantages for information security professionals. Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin represents the largest employment market with the most diverse employer base and highest concentration of tech sector jobs. Knoxville hosts The University of Tennessee-Knoxville, a top-ranked program with $11,332 in-state tuition, and benefits from proximity to technology and research sectors. Chattanooga has emerged as a growing tech hub with fiber infrastructure investments, hosting South College and Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga. Memphis rounds out the major metro areas, serving as a logistics and healthcare technology center. Each city offers distinct cost-of-living profiles and employer landscapes suitable for different career stages.

For cost-conscious students, Tennessee's public universities offer exceptional value. Austin Peay State University leads with $7,008 in-state tuition, followed by Tennessee State University at $7,320 and Middle Tennessee State University at $7,536 (College Scorecard). These institutions, combined with Tennessee's Promise/HOPE financial aid programs, make information security education highly accessible. Graduates from middle Tennessee programs benefit from proximity to Nashville's booming tech sector, while East Tennessee State University at $7,706 serves students in the Knoxville and Tri-Cities region. The absence of state income tax further enhances regional competitiveness and quality of life. Explore information technology in Tennessee for complementary career pathways in these vibrant metros.

Last Updated: February 15, 2026. Rankings based on IPEDS 2023 data. Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024.