Cybersecurity Guide

Washington’s cybersecurity degree programs and career opportunities

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Written by Cybersecurity Guide Contributors

Collaborative Cybersecurity Guide byline for regularly updated content reviewed and maintained by multiple contributors.

In this guide

For students comparing cybersecurity education options, Washington includes several college pathways linked to workforce demand in major industries such as finance, defense contracting, insurance, and healthcare.

Any program or initiative claims about institutions are verified against official university or state pages. We periodically review this page and remove or revise time-sensitive claims that can’t be re-verified.

How we keep this page current

This page is updated using CyberSeek for state-level demand signals, BLS for statewide wage and employment estimates, Washington’s state labor-market resources (including CareerBridge and Employment Security Department materials), Washington’s state cybersecurity office, and NSF CyberCorps®: Scholarship for Service (SFS) participation listings.

Program and initiative claims are verified against official institutional or state pages. The page is reviewed periodically and time-sensitive claims are updated or removed.

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Featured Cybersecurity Degree Programs

School NameProgram More Info
Eastern Oregon UniversityOnline BS in Cybersecurity website
Southern New Hampshire UniversityOnline BS in Cybersecurity or Online MS in Cybersecurity website
Grand Canyon UniversityOnline BS in Cybersecurity or Online MS in Cybersecurity website
UC Berkeley School of InformationMaster’s in Cybersecurity | No GRE/GMAT Required website
Purdue GlobalOnline BS in Cybersecurity website

Cybersecurity workforce demand in Washington State

CyberSeek provides a Washington State view of cybersecurity demand using online job postings and supply/demand indicators (a demand signal, not an official employment count).

Washington’s state career and labor-market portal CareerBridge reports 5,049 workers in Information Security Analysts (SOC 15-1212) in Washington and 885 openings per year.

For standardized wage and employment estimates, BLS OEWS reports that Washington employed 4,940 Information Security Analysts with an annual mean wage of $148,090. As a cyber-adjacent comparison point, BLS also reports Washington employment and wages for Computer Network Support Specialists, a role that can be part of an IT-to-security pathway.

What these metrics do (and don’t) mean: CyberSeek reflects online posting activity (hiring signals), BLS OEWS reflects employment and wages (filled jobs and pay estimates), and CareerBridge provides state-reported career outlook/openings figures presented for jobseekers. These sources measure different things and shouldn’t be treated as interchangeable.

Cybersecurity degree pathways in Washington State

Washington State offers multiple entry points into cybersecurity. The best pathway depends on your timeline, prior experience, and whether you want quick workforce entry or deeper specialization.

Associate degrees

Associate degrees (often 2 years) can prepare students for entry-level IT and security-adjacent roles, especially when paired with certifications.

What to look for:

  • Lab-based networking and systems coursework
  • Security fundamentals aligned to common entry certifications (e.g., Security+)
  • Clear transfer pathways into bachelor’s programs
Learn more about cybersecurity programs

Distinctive statewide support example: Washington’s Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (hosted at Whatcom Community College) describes statewide collaboration with industry and educators, supporting the training pipeline.

  1. Columbia Basin College

    Pasco, Washington
    Program: Cyber Security AAS
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Credits: 90-94
    Cost per credit: $124 in state | $318 out of state
    Delivery Method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details

Bachelor’s degrees

Bachelor’s degrees (often 4 years) are a common credential for entry-level security analyst roles and can support progression into engineering, forensics, and governance.

What to look for:

  • Hands-on security labs and realistic environments (virtualization, cloud, log analysis, incident response exercises)
  • Internship pipelines and employer-engaged capstones
  • Evidence of active cyber programming (centers, competitions, industry advisory engagement)

Campus-based bachelor’s degree

  1. City University of Seattle

    Seattle, Washington
    Program: Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance
    Credits: 180
    Cost per credit: $495
    Delivery Method: Campus, Online
    Learn more: Program details

  2. University of Washington-Seattle Campus

    Seattle, Washington
    Program: Bachelor of Science in Informatics – Information Assurance and Cybersecurity Option
    CAE designation: CAE-CD, CAE-R
    Credits: 180
    Cost per credit: $272 in-state | 905 out-of-state
    Delivery Method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details

  3. Western Washington University

    Bellingham, Washington
    Program: Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Credits: 180
    Cost per credit: $172 in-state | $570 out-of-state
    Delivery Method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details

Online bachelor’s degree

  1. City University of Seattle

    Seattle, Washington
    Program: Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance
    Credits: 180
    Cost per credit: $495
    Delivery Method: Campus, Online
    Learn more: Program details

Distinctive initiative example (statewide lab infrastructure):

The state’s Cybersecurity Center of Excellence describes Cyber Range Poulsbo as Washington’s educational cyber range supporting cybersecurity programs statewide. Western Washington University describes the Cyber Range Poulsbo as an educational resource for Washington. Students can also verify whether an institution participates in the NSA/DHS Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity network using the official directory.

Master’s degrees

Master’s programs (often 1–2 years) are commonly used by:

  • IT professionals moving into security leadership or architecture
  • Students targeting advanced technical areas (cloud security, forensics, applied research)
  • Career changers with technical undergraduate backgrounds

Campus-based master’s degree

  1. University of Washington – Tacoma Campus

    Tacoma, Washington
    Program: Master in Cybersecurity and Leadership (MCL)
    Credits: 40
    Cost per credit: $1,069 in-state | $1,795 out of state
    Delivery Method: Campus, Online
    GRE/GMAT Required: Not required
    Learn more: Program details

Online master’s degree

  1. City University of Seattle

    Seattle, Washington
    Program: Master of Science in Cybersecurity
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Credits: 59
    Cost per credit: $735
    Delivery Method: Online
    GRE/GMAT Required: Not Required
    Learn more: Program details

  2. University of Washington – Tacoma Campus

    Tacoma, Washington
    Program: Master in Cybersecurity and Leadership (MCL)
    Credits: 40
    Cost per credit: $1,069 in-state | $1,795 out of state
    Delivery Method: Campus, Online
    GRE/GMAT Required: Not required
    Learn more: Program details

Prioritize programs with:

  • Documented partnerships with employers or government entities
  • A capstone/practicum tied to real-world systems
  • Applied labs, institutes, or cyber ranges that support advanced skill development

Certifications and workforce programs

Certificates and short-term programs can complement degrees, especially when aligned to employer expectations and role pathways. CyberSeek’s pathway tools can help students map roles to skills and certifications.

Washington also has a documented ecosystem of education-to-workforce support through the state’s Center of Excellence model (including cybersecurity), which can help students find training resources and connections.

  1. Central Washington University

    Ellensburg, Washington
    Program: Certificate in Cybersecurity
    Credits: 20
    Cost per credit: $357 in state | $836 out of state
    Delivery Method: Campus, Online
    Learn more: Program details

  2. University of Washington Continuum College

    Seattle, Washington
    Program: Certificate in Cyber Security
    Credits: 12
    Cost per credit: $350
    Delivery Method: Online
    Learn more: Program details

Scholarship for Service (SFS)

The NSF CyberCorps®: Scholarship for Service (SFS) program provides scholarships for cybersecurity students who commit to working in government after graduation. Washington State institutions listed in the SFS participating institutions directory include University of Washington – Tacoma (status shown on the directory) and Washington State University.WSU also publishes its SFS program information through its cybersecurity institute site.

Learn more about cybersecurity careers

Unique state cybersecurity initiatives

Washington’s statewide cybersecurity office is housed within Washington Technology Solutions (WaTech) through the State Office of Cybersecurity, which describes its mission and services for safeguarding state information assets.

WaTech also publishes Washington’s Enterprise IT Security Strategy (Security for 2025–2027), which is relevant to students interested in public-sector cybersecurity environments and workforce priorities.

Workforce-pipeline and education infrastructure initiatives with primary sources include:

Frequently asked questions about cybersecurity degrees in Washington State

How many cybersecurity jobs are in Washington State?

For a standardized occupation count, BLS reports 4,940 Information Security Analysts employed in Washington (May 2023).BLS OEWS Washington (May 2023). For a state career-portal view, CareerBridge reports 5,049 workers for the occupation in Washington (as shown on its occupation profile). These may differ due to methodology and update cycles.

What is the average cybersecurity salary in Washington State?

BLS reports an annual mean wage of $148,090 for Information Security Analysts in Washington (May 2023).

What is the best cybersecurity degree in Washington State?

There isn’t one universal “best.” A strong choice is the degree level that matches your target role plus hands-on practice (labs, internships, capstones). If you want statewide lab infrastructure, look for programs that leverage resources like the educational cyber range described by the state’s cybersecurity education partners.

Are there online cybersecurity programs in Washington State?

Many Washington-serving institutions offer online or hybrid options, but formats change. Confirm delivery mode and accreditation on the institution’s official program pages.

Does Washington State have cybersecurity bootcamps or short-term training?

Yes—short-term training options exist, and students should choose programs aligned to role pathways and skills employers signal. CyberSeek’s tools can help map roles and skill clusters before selecting a bootcamp or certificate.

What certifications are most requested in Washington State?

Certification demand varies by employer and seniority. CyberSeek provides posting-based signals and pathway context that can help prioritize certifications by role.

Is cybersecurity in demand in Washington State?

CyberSeek demand indicators and state career outlook data both suggest ongoing hiring activity.

Can I start with an associate degree?

Yes. An associate degree can be an efficient entry point into IT and security-adjacent roles, especially when paired with certifications and a transfer plan into a bachelor’s program.

How long does a cybersecurity degree take?

Typical timelines: associate (2 years), bachelor’s (4 years), master’s (1–2 years). Transfer credits and part-time enrollment can change the timeline.

Does Washington State participate in Scholarship for Service?

Yes. Washington institutions appear in the official SFS participating institutions directory (including the entries shown for Washington).

What industries in Washington State hire cybersecurity graduates?

Cybersecurity graduates are hired across government, cloud/technology, healthcare, finance, education, and manufacturing. Students interested in public-sector cybersecurity should review WaTech’s statewide cybersecurity role and published strategy.

Are there entry-level cybersecurity roles in Washington State?

Yes. Entry-level roles often include SOC analyst, junior security analyst, and IT security specialist. CyberSeek’s pathway tools can help map entry roles and progression.

Sources