Cybersecurity Guide

Discover cybersecurity degree and training options in Illinois

Written by Cybersecurity Guide Contributors – Expert reviewed by Steven Bowcut – Last updated:
In this guide

Cybersecurity students need more than a school list — they need clear, verified pathways connected to real industry demand.

Those researching cybersecurity programs in Illinois will find a range of college options aligned with employer needs in finance, defense contracting, insurance, and healthcare.

This page focuses on academic pathways and school-based opportunities, mentioning institutions only when they offer distinctive workforce connections, research initiatives, or training programs that go beyond a standard degree listing.

How we keep this page current

We review this page using data and program verification from CyberSeek, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Illinois Department of Employment Security, Illinois state cybersecurity resources, and the federal Scholarship for Service program directory. School-specific claims are checked against official university pages, and time-sensitive details are periodically reviewed for accuracy.

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Featured Cybersecurity Degree Programs

School NameProgram More Info
Purdue GlobalOnline BS in Cybersecurity website
Southern New Hampshire UniversityOnline BS in Cybersecurity or Online MS in Cybersecurity website
UC Berkeley School of InformationMaster’s in Cybersecurity | No GRE/GMAT Required website
Arizona State UniversityOnline MA in Global Security - Cybersecurity website
Grand Canyon UniversityOnline BS in Cybersecurity or Online MS in Cybersecurity website

Cybersecurity workforce demand in Illinois

Cybersecurity demand should be evaluated across postings, employment levels, and projections:

How to interpret these metrics

  • Job postings measure recruiting demand
  • Employment estimates measure the current workforce size
  • Projections estimate expected growth

Because each dataset measures a different labor market dimension, they should be viewed together rather than combined.

Check out this episode of the Cybersecurity Podcast with Dr. Michael Ruth from Roosevelt University.

Cybersecurity degree pathways in Illinois

Associate degrees

Associate programs typically prepare students for entry-level IT and security support roles and transfer into bachelor’s programs.

Students should prioritize programs that include:

  • transfer articulation agreements with universities
  • certification-aligned coursework
  • lab-based networking and operating systems security

  1. College of DuPage

    Glen Ellyn, Illinois
    Program: Associate in Applied Science in Cybersecurity and Defense
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Credits: 64
    Cost per credit: $114 in state | $387 out of state
    Delivery Method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details

  2. John A Logan College

    Carterville, Illinois
    Program: Associate in Applied Science in Cyber-Security/Information Assurance
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Credits: 65
    Cost per credit: $145 in state | $242 out of state
    Delivery Method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details

  3. Rock Valley College

    Rockford, Illinois
    Program: Associate in Applied Science Cybersecurity Specialist
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Credits: 64
    Cost per credit: $125 in state | $694 out of state
    Delivery Method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details
Learn more about cybersecurity programs

Bachelor’s degrees

Bachelor’s programs are the most common pathway into security analyst and engineering careers.

When comparing schools, prioritize:

  • cyber ranges or security labs
  • internships or employer partnerships
  • NSA/DHS CAE-aligned curriculum
  • participation in applied competitions or workforce programs

Example of a distinctive initiative:

  • Illinois Institute of Technology – Cybersecurity Research Center supports applied security research and industry collaboration projects for students (official center page).
  • DePaul University – Cybersecurity Clinic allows students to provide supervised security services to organizations, creating real-world defensive experience (official clinic page).

Hands-on operational experiences generally matter more than differences in degree naming conventions.

  1. Roosevelt University

    Chicago, Illinois
    Program: Bachelor of Science in Cyber and Information Security
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Credits: 120
    Cost per credit: $884
    Delivery Method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details

  2. University of Illinois - Springfield

    Springfield, Illinois
    Program: Information Systems Security Bachelor’s Degree
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Credits: 120
    Cost per credit: $322 in-state | $647 out-of-state
    Delivery Method: Campus, Online
    Learn more: Program details

Master’s degrees

Graduate programs often support professionals transitioning into leadership, architecture, or research roles.

Example of a distinctive initiative:

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign – Information Trust Institute conducts security and privacy research with government and industry collaboration opportunities for graduate students.

  1. DePaul University

    Chicago, Illinois
    Program: Master of Science in Cybersecurity
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Credits: 52
    Cost per credit: $900
    Delivery Method: Online
    GRE/GMAT Required: Not Required
    Learn more: Program details

  2. Lewis University

    Romeoville, Illinois
    Program: Cybersecurity, M.S.
    Credits: 33
    Cost per credit: $845
    Delivery Method: Online
    GRE/GMAT Required: Not Required
    Learn more: Program details

  3. Roosevelt University

    Chicago, Illinois
    Program: Master’s in Cyber Security and Information Assurance (MS)
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Credits: 30
    Cost per credit: $1,013
    Delivery Method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details

  4. University of Illinois at Springfield

    Springfield, Illinois
    Program: Master of Science in Cybersecurity Management
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Credits: 30
    Cost per credit: $516
    Delivery Method: Campus, Online
    GRE/GMAT Required: Not Required
    Learn more: Program details

Certifications and workforce programs

Many Illinois cybersecurity degrees integrate certification preparation into coursework rather than offering isolated training tracks. Students should look for programs aligned with workforce frameworks such as NICE/NIST.

  1. College of DuPage

    Glen Ellyn, Illinois
    Program: Certificate in Cybersecurity Specialist
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Credits: 24
    Cost per credit: $144 in state | $417 out of state
    Delivery Method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details

  2. College of Lake County

    Grayslake, Illinois
    Program: Cybersecurity Certificate
    Credits: 36
    Cost per credit: $137 in state | $478 out of state
    Delivery Method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details

  3. Elgin Community College

    Elgin, Illinois
    Program: Certificate in Cybersecurity-Vocational Specialist
    Credits: 32-33
    Cost per credit: $132 in state | $396 out of state
    Delivery Method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details

  4. Elmhurst College

    Elmhurst, Illinois
    Program: Undergraduate Certificate in Cybersecurity
    Credits: 20
    Cost per credit: $655
    Delivery Method: Online
    Learn more: Program details

  5. Illinois State University

    Normal, Illinois
    Program: Information Assurance and Security Graduate Certificate
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Credits: 9
    Cost per credit: $423 in state | $878 out of state
    Delivery Method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details

  6. Joliet Junior College

    Joliet, Illinois
    Program: Certificate of Achievement in Cybersecurity Specialist
    Credits: 33
    Cost per credit: $151 in state | $460 out of state
    Delivery Method: Online, Hybrid
    Learn more: Program details

  7. Lincoln Land Community College

    Springfield, Illinois
    Program: Certificate of Achievement in Computer Administration – Networking Track
    Credits: 36
    Cost per credit: $137 in-state | $411 out of state
    Delivery Method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details

  8. McHenry County College

    Crystal Lake, Illinois
    Program: Information Security Analyst Certificate
    Credits: 45
    Cost per credit: $122 in state | $463 out of state
    Delivery Method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details

  9. Rend Lake College

    Ina, Illinois
    Program: Cyber Security Specialist Certificate
    Credits: 25
    Cost per credit: $110 in state | $220 out of state
    Delivery Method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details

  10. Southwestern Illinois College

    Belleville, Illinois
    Program: Cybersecurity Specialist Certificate
    Credits: 35
    Cost per credit: $120
    Delivery Method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details

  11. Spoon River College

    Canton, Illinois
    Program: Cyber Security Certificate
    Credits: 18
    Cost per credit: $158 in state | $390 out of state
    Delivery Method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details

  12. Triton College

    River Grove, Illinois
    Program: Cybersecurity and Information Assurance Certificate
    Credits: 24
    Cost per credit: $148 in-state | $377 out of state
    Delivery Method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details

  13. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

    Champaign, Illinois
    Program: Undergraduate Certificate in Global Security
    Credits: 15
    Cost per credit: $1,171 in-state | $2,405 out of state
    Delivery Method: Online
    Learn more: Program details
Learn more about professional certifications

Scholarship for Service

The federal CyberCorps Scholarship for Service funds cybersecurity education in exchange for government employment after graduation.

Participating Illinois institutions are listed in the official SFS directory (SFS participating schools).

Unique Illinois cybersecurity initiatives

State cybersecurity coordination

Illinois maintains statewide cybersecurity and infrastructure protection initiatives supporting workforce readiness (Illinois cybersecurity resources).

Experiential training clinics

University-operated cybersecurity clinics provide supervised services to organizations, giving students applied defensive experience (DePaul cybersecurity clinic).

Applied research partnerships

University research institutes collaborate with industry and government on real-world security challenges and workforce development.

These initiatives emphasize practical operational preparation rather than classroom-only instruction.

Frequently asked questions about cybersecurity degrees in Illinois

How many cybersecurity jobs are in Illinois?

Employer hiring demand appears consistently in the CyberSeek Illinois heat map.

What is the average cybersecurity salary in Illinois?

Wage levels for Information Security Analysts are published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics Illinois occupational employment page.

What is the best cybersecurity degree in Illinois?

Programs with hands-on labs, internships, and workforce partnerships typically provide stronger preparation than programs differentiated only by title.

Are there online cybersecurity programs in Illinois?

Yes — many programs offer online or hybrid formats, but students should verify access to lab environments.

Does Illinois have cybersecurity bootcamps or short-term training?

Short-term training exists, but long-term advancement is generally stronger with a degree combined with certifications.

What certifications are most requested in Illinois?

Certification expectations align with employer postings tracked by CyberSeek.

Is cybersecurity in demand in Illinois?

Yes — hiring demand and projections both indicate an ongoing need for cybersecurity professionals (Illinois Department of Employment Security).

Can I start with an associate degree?

Yes. Many students begin with a two-year program and transfer into a bachelor’s pathway.

How long does a cybersecurity degree take?

Associate: ~2 years
Bachelor’s: ~4 years
Master’s: ~1–2 years

Does Illinois participate in Scholarship for Service?

Yes — approved schools appear in the federal SFS directory (SFS program).

What industries in Illinois hire cybersecurity graduates?

Finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and government organizations frequently hire security professionals.

Are there entry-level cybersecurity roles in Illinois?

Yes — common entry roles include security analyst and SOC analyst positions based on employer postings tracked by CyberSeek.

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