Cybersecurity Bachelor’s Degree: Programs, Requirements, and Career Outlook

In this guide

• Quick answer
• Why get a bachelor’s degree?
• How to choose a program
• 2027 rankings and methodology
• Previous rankings
• Admissions and curriculum
• Cost, transfer, and scholarships
• Career outlook and ROI
• FAQs
• Full school listings

At a glance

Measure	2027 result
Programs evaluated	367
Programs ranked	25
Median standardized calculated tuition	$106,080
Average standardized calculated tuition	$117,221.02
Lowest positive standardized calculated tuition	$24,000
Highest standardized calculated tuition	$324,992
Average out-of-state cost per credit	$955.02
Programs at institutions with a CAE designation listed	175 (47.7%)
Programs with an online option	110 (30.0%)
Most common credit requirement	120 credits (263 programs)
2027 rankings and program information evaluated	August 2026
Editorial review	September 7, 2026

Information cutoff: All program, tuition, delivery, credit, designation, institutional, career, and ranking information for this 2027 edition was evaluated as of August 2026.

A cybersecurity bachelor’s degree combines computing fundamentals with security-specific study. This guide compares 367 U.S. bachelor’s-level cybersecurity programs, includes a 25-program 2027 ranking and a full directory of programs with official links.

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Featured Cybersecurity Degree Programs

School Name	Program	More Info
Purdue Global	Online BS in Cybersecurity	website
Syracuse University	Bachelors in Cybersecurity Administration	website
Southern New Hampshire University	Online BS in Cybersecurity or Online MS in Cybersecurity	website
Arizona State University	Online MA in Global Security - Cybersecurity	website
University of Maryland Global Campus	Online BS in Cyber Operations or Online BS in Cybersecurity Management & Policy	website

Why get a cybersecurity bachelor’s degree?

BLS lists a bachelor’s degree as the typical entry-level education for information security analysts, although other combinations of education, training, certifications, and experience can also lead into the field. Security work spans operations, incident response, networks, cloud, forensics, risk, audit, engineering, and related specialties.

How to choose a cybersecurity bachelor’s degree

Compare curriculum, delivery, current cost, transfer rules, practical learning, and the student’s target roles. A high rank is useful context, but it does not replace a program-level review.

CAE designation

CAE-CD means Cyber Defense, CAE-R means Cyber Research, and CAE-CO means Cyber Operations. These are federal cybersecurity designations, not institutional accreditation. CAE-R is research-focused and should not be treated as direct validation of a particular undergraduate program.

Among the 367 programs reviewed, 175 (47.7%) have a CAE designation listed. CAE is reported separately from the ranking score.

Online vs. campus

Among the 367 programs reviewed, 110 (30.0%) include an online option. Students should verify whether the entire degree is online and whether residency, lab, synchronous, or campus requirements apply.

Cybersecurity vs. computer science

Cybersecurity degrees usually devote more required coursework to security. Computer science programs typically provide broader depth in programming, algorithms, software, and computing theory. Students who want both can compare computer science degrees with a cybersecurity emphasis.

What to check before applying

Use the official catalog, not only the marketing page, to confirm the required courses and total credits. For online programs, verify whether labs, exams, orientations, internships, or capstones require synchronous participation or campus visits. For transfer students, ask how many credits apply specifically to the cybersecurity major rather than only to general electives.

Cost comparisons also require more than a sticker-price tuition number. Public institutions may charge different rates by residency, while private institutions may use one rate for all students. Some universities bill full-time students by semester or term, and online or part-time rates can differ from campus rates. Compare the billing structure that actually applies to your enrollment plan and then add mandatory fees before estimating total cost.

Practical learning and career preparation

A cybersecurity curriculum is stronger for a particular student when its applied work matches that student’s goals. Useful features can include cyber ranges, networking or systems labs, capture-the-flag exercises, incident-response simulations, digital-forensics work, internships, cooperative education, and a substantial capstone.

These experiences are not interchangeable, so students should look at the actual required courses and opportunities rather than assuming that every cybersecurity degree provides the same hands-on depth.

Career services can also matter. Ask whether the school supports internship searches, technical interview preparation, employer events, and alumni networking in the regions or industries where you want to work. These services do not guarantee placement, but they can affect how effectively students convert coursework into work experience.

Accreditation, designation, and certifications

Institutional accreditation and CAE designation answer different questions. Accreditation concerns the institution or, in some cases, a specific program through a recognized accreditor. CAE is a federal cybersecurity designation. Students should verify both separately when either matters to their education, financial aid, transfer plans, or employer requirements.

Industry certifications can supplement a degree but are not substitutes for reviewing the curriculum. Entry-level networking or security certifications may help students document particular skills, while more advanced certifications often require professional experience. Choose certifications based on the roles you are targeting rather than treating a long certification list as a proxy for program quality.

Best Cybersecurity Bachelor’s Degree Programs for 2027

Here are the 25 highest-ranked cybersecurity bachelor’s programs for 2027.

1. Liberty University

   Lynchburg, VA

   
   Program: B.S. in Cybersecurity Science & Operations
   CAE designation: CAE-CD
   Delivery method: Campus
   Total tuition: $105,270.00
   2026/2027 Cost per credit (in-state): $870.00
   2026/2027 Cost per credit (out-of-state): $870.00
   Credits: 121
   Learn more: Program details

2. University of Illinois, Springfield

   Springfield, IL

   
   Program: Cybersecurity, BS
   CAE designation: CAE-CD
   Delivery method: Campus & Online
   Total tuition: $81,600.00
   2026/2027 Cost per credit (in-state): $334.50
   2026/2027 Cost per credit (out-of-state): $680.00
   Credits: 120
   Learn more: Program details

3. Metropolitan State University

   Saint Paul, MN

   
   Program: Cybersecurity BS
   CAE designation: CAE-CD, CAE-CO
   Delivery method: Campus
   Total tuition: $38,640.00
   2026/2027 Cost per credit (in-state): $322.00
   2026/2027 Cost per credit (out-of-state): $322.00
   Credits: 120
   Learn more: Program details

4. Maryville University

   Saint Louis, MO

   
   Program: BS in Cybersecurity
   CAE designation: CAE-CD
   Delivery method: Campus, Online
   Total tuition: $99,968.00
   2026/2027 Cost per credit (in-state): $781.00
   2026/2027 Cost per credit (out-of-state): $781.00
   Credits: 128
   Learn more: Program details

5. University of North Carolina at Pembroke

   Pembroke, NC

   
   Program: Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
   CAE designation: CAE-CD
   Delivery method: Campus
   Total tuition: $35,000.40
   2026/2027 Cost per credit (in-state): $41.67
   2026/2027 Cost per credit (out-of-state): $291.67
   Credits: 120
   Learn more: Program details

6. Murray State University

   Murray, KY

   
   Program: Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity and Network Management
   CAE designation: CAE-CD
   Delivery method: Campus & Online
   Total tuition: $79,950.00
   2026/2027 Cost per credit (in-state): $438.75
   2026/2027 Cost per credit (out-of-state): $666.25
   Credits: 120
   Learn more: Program details

7. Dakota State University

   Madison, SD

   
   Program: Bachelors of Science in Cyber Operations
   CAE designation: CAE-CD, CAE-R, CAE-CO
   Delivery method: Campus & Online
   Total tuition: $50,274.00
   2026/2027 Cost per credit (in-state): $310.00
   2026/2027 Cost per credit (out-of-state): $418.95
   Credits: 120
   Learn more: Program details

8. University of Mary

   Bismarck, ND

   
   Program: Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
   CAE designation: CAE-CD
   Delivery method: Campus & Online
   Total tuition: $86,400.00
   2026/2027 Cost per credit (in-state): $720.00
   2026/2027 Cost per credit (out-of-state): $720.00
   Credits: 120
   Learn more: Program details

9. Augusta University

   Augusta, GA

   
   Program: Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
   CAE designation: CAE-CD, CAE-CO
   Delivery method: Campus
   Total tuition: $99,099.00
   2026/2027 Cost per credit (in-state): $237.00
   2026/2027 Cost per credit (out-of-state): $819.00
   Credits: 121
   Learn more: Program details

10. Marshall University

    Huntington, WV

    
    Program: Cyber Forensics and Security, B.S.
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Delivery method: Campus
    Total tuition: $93,960
    2026/2027 Cost per credit (in-state): $332
    2026/2027 Cost per credit (out-of-state): $783
    Credits: 120
    Learn more: Program details

11. Loyola University Chicago

    Chicago, IL

    
    Program: Cybersecurity (BS)
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Delivery method: Campus
    Total tuition: $125,400.00
    2026/2027 Cost per credit (in-state): $1,045.00
    2026/2027 Cost per credit (out-of-state): $1,045.00
    Credits: 120
    Learn more: Program details

12. SANS Technology Institute

    North Bethesda, MD

    
    Program: Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Cybersecurity
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Delivery method: Campus, Online
    Total tuition: $41,650.00
    2026/2027 Cost per credit (in-state): $347.08
    2026/2027 Cost per credit (out-of-state): $347.08
    Credits: 120
    Learn more: Program details

13. University of Cincinnati

    Cincinnati, OH

    
    Program: Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Delivery method: Campus & Online
    Total tuition: $120,632.40
    2026/2027 Cost per credit (in-state): $494.13
    2026/2027 Cost per credit (out-of-state): $1,005.27
    Credits: 120
    Learn more: Program details

14. University of Central Missouri

    Warrensburg, MO

    
    Program: Cybersecurity, BS
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Delivery method: Campus
    Total tuition: $74,616.00
    2026/2027 Cost per credit (in-state): $310.90
    2026/2027 Cost per credit (out-of-state): $621.80
    Credits: 120
    Learn more: Program details

15. Old Dominion University

    Norfolk, VA

    
    Program: Cybersecurity (B.S.)
    CAE designation: CAE-CO, CAE-CD, CAE-R
    Delivery method: Campus, Online
    Total tuition: $116,640.00
    2026/2027 Cost per credit (in-state): $281.00
    2026/2027 Cost per credit (out-of-state): $972.00
    Credits: 120
    Learn more: Program details

16. University of South Florida

    Tampa, FL

    
    Program: Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Delivery method: Campus
    Total tuition: $80,450.40
    2026/2027 Cost per credit (in-state): $210.19
    2026/2027 Cost per credit (out-of-state): $670.42
    Credits: 120
    Learn more: Program details

17. Ferris State University

    Big Rapids, MI

    
    Program: Bachelor of Science in Information Security and Intelligence
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Delivery method: Campus & Online
    Total tuition: $64,080.00
    2026/2027 Cost per credit (in-state): $534.00
    2026/2027 Cost per credit (out-of-state): $534.00
    Credits: 120
    Learn more: Program details

18. Southern New Hampshire University

    Manchester, NH

    
    Program: Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Delivery method: Campus, Online
    Total tuition: $71,160.00
    2026/2027 Cost per credit (in-state): $593.00
    2026/2027 Cost per credit (out-of-state): $593.00
    Credits: 120
    Learn more: Program details

19. Radford University

    Radford, VA

    
    Program: Cybersecurity, B.S.
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Delivery method: Campus
    Total tuition: $91,568.00
    2026/2027 Cost per credit (in-state): $296.47
    2026/2027 Cost per credit (out-of-state): $763.07
    Credits: 120
    Learn more: Program details

20. Purdue University

    West Lafayette, IN

    
    Program: Cybersecurity, BS
    CAE designation: CAE-R
    Delivery method: Campus
    Total tuition: $113,796.00
    2026/2027 Cost per credit (in-state): $347.85
    2026/2027 Cost per credit (out-of-state): $948.30
    Credits: 120
    Learn more: Program details

21. Western Illinois University

    Macomb, IL

    
    Program: Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Delivery method: Campus
    Total tuition: $42,012.00
    2026/2027 Cost per credit (in-state): $350.10
    2026/2027 Cost per credit (out-of-state): $350.10
    Credits: 120
    Learn more: Program details

22. Drexel University

    Philadelphia, PA

    
    Program: Bachelor of Science in Computing and Security Technology
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Delivery method: Campus & Online
    Total tuition: $262,515.00
    2026/2027 Cost per credit (in-state): $1,419.00
    2026/2027 Cost per credit (out-of-state): $1,419.00
    Credits: 185
    Learn more: Program details

23. Utica University

    Utica, NY

    
    Program: Cybersecurity, B.S.
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Delivery method: Campus & Online
    Total tuition: $116,040.00
    2026/2027 Cost per credit (in-state): $967.00
    2026/2027 Cost per credit (out-of-state): $967.00
    Credits: 120
    Learn more: Program details

24. Wilmington University

    New Castle, DE

    
    Program: B.S. in Cybersecurity
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Delivery method: Campus & Online
    Total tuition: $52,680.00
    2026/2027 Cost per credit (in-state): $439.00
    2026/2027 Cost per credit (out-of-state): $439.00
    Credits: 120
    Learn more: Program details

25. Columbus State University

    Columbus, GA

    
    Program: B.S. in Cybersecurity
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Delivery method: Campus, Hybrid, Online
    Total tuition: $87,330.00
    2026/2027 Cost per credit (in-state): $189.00
    2026/2027 Cost per credit (out-of-state): $710.00
    Credits: 123
    Learn more: Program details

These rankings were compiled from data accessed in August 2026 from the Integrated Post-Secondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and College Navigator (both services of the National Center for Education Statistics). Tuition data was pulled from individual university websites and is current as of August 2026.

How the 2027 ranking works

For 2027, Cybersecurity Guide reviewed 367 U.S. bachelor’s-level cybersecurity programs and ranked 25 programs using the methodology below. The 2027 ranking reflects information evaluated as of August 2026.

Metric	Weight	Better direction
Standardized calculated tuition	1.5	Lower
Student-faculty ratio	0.5	Lower
Graduate enrollment share	1.0	Higher
CS/cyber degrees awarded	1.0	Higher
Admission/access rate	1.0	Higher
Graduation rate	1.0	Higher

Composite = 1.5(Tuition Rank) + 0.5(Student-Faculty Rank) + Graduate-Share Rank + CS/Cyber-Awards Rank + Admission-Rate Rank + Graduation-Rate Rank

Lower composite results are stronger. CAE designation is not a numerical score component. Individual scores are not published.

For per-credit schools, the standardized comparison uses out-of-state cost per credit × required credits. Calculated tuition can exclude fees, books, equipment, aid, scholarships, transfer credits, employer benefits, and other charges. Schools that bill by term or use program-specific pricing should be read using their published billing structure.

Best cybersecurity bachelor’s programs by use case

These categories do not change the overall ranking. Each category uses a clear rule based on the same public information used for the ranking.

Category	Program	Rule
Best overall	Liberty University	No. 1 in the 2027 ranking
Highest-ranked program with an online option	University of Illinois, Springfield	Highest-ranked school that includes an online study option
Lowest standardized calculated tuition among ranked programs	University of North Carolina at Pembroke	Lowest calculated tuition among the 25 ranked programs
Highest-ranked program under $50,000 in standardized calculated tuition	Metropolitan State University	Highest-ranked program with calculated tuition below $50,000
Highest-ranked institution with multiple CAE designation types	Metropolitan State University	Highest-ranked school with more than one CAE designation type listed

Previous cybersecurity bachelor’s rankings

Previous rankings reflect the data and methodology used for those editions and have not been recalculated using the 2027 ranking.

2026 Rankings

2025 Rankings

2024 Rankings

Admission requirements and what you’ll study

There is no universal GPA requirement for cybersecurity bachelor’s programs. Students should check the university admissions page and program catalog for current GPA, prerequisite, transfer, and test-score policies.

Helpful preparation can include mathematics, introductory programming, networking, or computer science. Practical projects, cyber competitions, clubs, internships, volunteer IT work, and relevant entry-level certifications can also help students build skills, whether or not they are formal admission requirements.

Typical cybersecurity curricula include programming, operating systems, networking, network security, information assurance, digital forensics, risk, incident response, cryptography, legal and ethical issues, and applied labs or capstones. Concentrations can include cyber operations, forensics, cloud security, management, or policy, but names and required courses vary by school.

How much does a cybersecurity bachelor’s degree cost?

Across the 367 programs reviewed, median standardized calculated tuition is $106,080 and average calculated tuition is $117,221.02. The United States Coast Guard Academy has $0 tuition because it is a federal service academy and is not directly comparable to conventional tuition-charging institutions. Excluding the Coast Guard Academy, the standardized range is $24,000 to $324,992.

The most common program length is 120 credits, appearing in 263 programs. Actual cost can differ because of residency, fees, transfer credit, scholarships, aid, or non-credit billing structures.

Transfer, accelerated, and scholarship options

A community-college pathway can reduce cost when credits transfer cleanly, but students should obtain a transfer evaluation before assuming a two-plus-two plan. Accelerated, degree-completion, and bachelor’s-to-master’s options can shorten or restructure study, but admission and billing rules vary.

Federal options include CyberCorps: Scholarship for Service for eligible students at participating institutions and the SMART Scholarship-for-Service for eligible STEM students who accept a Department of Defense civilian service commitment. See the Cybersecurity Guide scholarship guide for additional resources.

Cybersecurity career outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a $129,180 median annual wage for information security analysts in May 2025 and projects 21% employment growth from 2025 to 2035, with about 14,100 openings per year on average.

BLS lists a bachelor’s degree as the typical entry-level education for the occupation, while noting that related work experience may be needed and that some workers enter through other combinations of education, training, and certifications.

These are national occupation-level figures. They are not starting salaries, program-specific outcomes, or guaranteed earnings.

Graduates may pursue security operations, incident response, network or cloud security, digital forensics, governance and risk, security engineering, audit, and related IT roles. Certifications, internships, projects, labs, and prior IT experience can complement the degree.

Is the degree worth it?

A cybersecurity bachelor’s degree can be worthwhile when the curriculum and credential support the student’s goals at a manageable net cost. There is no universal payback period. ROI depends on net price, borrowing, transfer credit, completion time, prior experience, location, and the job obtained after graduation.

References and review

Written by: Cybersecurity Guide Contributors

Expert reviewed by: Edward E. Bissett, Program Director of CS/CIS/GSD/PPM/WEB at Baker College

2027 rankings and program information evaluated: August 2026 Editorial review: September 7, 2026

The 2027 rankings and supporting program, tuition, delivery, credit, designation, institutional, and career information were evaluated as of August 2026. References include official university program and tuition pages, IPEDS and College Navigator, NSA/NCAE-C designation information, and Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational data. Program names, delivery modes, tuition, and degree requirements can change, so students should confirm the current catalog and tuition page before enrolling.

FAQs

List of cybersecurity bachelor’s degree programs

The directory below is alphabetical, not ranked. For most programs, “calculated tuition” is a standardized comparison estimate; schools with materially different billing structures use the published billing method instead.

Sources and related guides

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | Occupational Outlook Handbook: Information Security Analysts | Accessed September 2026

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Information Security Analysts
• National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity, NSA
• IPEDS and College Navigator, National Center for Education Statistics
• Official university program pages, academic catalogs, registrars, bursars, and tuition pages linked in the program listings
• Online cybersecurity bachelor’s degree guide
• Computer science degree with a cybersecurity emphasis
• Cybersecurity certifications guide
• Cybersecurity scholarship guide
• Centers of Academic Excellence guide