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North Carolina cybersecurity programs: Your roadmap to cyber schools and training

Written by Cybersecurity Guide Contributors – Expert reviewed by Steven Bowcut – Last updated: April 16, 2025
In this guide
  • Associate degrees
  • Bachelor’s degrees
  • Related resources
  • Importance of cybersecurity
  • Cybersecurity certifications
  • Cybersecurity jobs

This guide is about cybersecurity educational and career opportunities in North Carolina.

The following information covers cybersecurity degree program options in North Carolina, as well as some of the economic conditions contributing to the growth of the cybersecurity industry in North Carolina. 

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North Carolina’s economy has undergone a massive redistribution over the last few decades. Three of the primary pillars that the state was built on earlier in the 20th century have all been in a major contractionary period.

Tobacco farms as well as furniture and textile manufacturing were once the biggest drivers of North Carolina’s job market, particularly in rural areas. 

Fortunately, the state has been able to supply these industries with new contributors, primarily financial intermediaries, biotechnology, information technology, healthcare, and research. 

Learn more about industries

The bulk of this growth has taken place in the main urban centers of the state. But it has certainly been good news for cybersecurity professionals as these industries are important employers of infosec experts.

Bank of America is one of the highest-profile names among North Carolina employers, but not the only one. Lowe’s, US Trust, Family Dollar, and Tyson Foods are a few other examples.

The growing importance of cybersecurity in North Carolina

The state government of North Carolina has been an active proponent of the cybersecurity industry and the employment prospects it holds. It has been a supporter of the Girls Go CyberStart program designed to get young girls interested and involved in cybersecurity technology. 

The Department of Information Technology has an Enterprise Security & Risk Management office to keep the community informed of current infosec risks and prevention strategies.

The Secretary of State has instituted a Cybersecurity Initiative to help safeguard the information of state-registered investment advisers and their clients. 

In 2018, North Carolina partnered with Cisco and other leading cybersecurity enterprises to provide cybersecurity training to veterans living in the state.

Called CyberVetsUSA, the program offers these training and employment opportunities at no charge to veterans, transitioning service members, National Guard and reservists, and their spouses. 

Learn more about veteran’s guide

Also in 2018, the state Department of Public Safety and Department of Information partnered to form a new unit to promote cyber awareness and provide “actionable intelligence to private and public sector partners and citizens.”

The North Carolina Center for Cybersecurity (NCCYBER) was founded as a non-profit organization to facilitate communications between industry, academic institutions, and government to address key issues in cybersecurity.  

With government support and important users of cybersecurity services in place and growing rapidly, North Carolina’s cybersecurity future seems bright.

Cybersecurity education in North Carolina

North Carolina is home to some of the finest higher learning institutions in the country, particularly when it comes to medical and technological research.

Duke, North Carolina State, and the University of North Carolina have all been intimately involved in the huge research industry now centered in North Carolina.

However, it’s surprising that North Carolina’s colleges and universities haven’t been more enthusiastic in picking up the cybersecurity mantle thus far.

The state government has shown its support, and the economy has become reliant on technology industries, in particular information technology. Only the University of North Carolina (UNC) among the more renowned institutions has so far invested significantly in developing cybersecurity education programs.

Fortunately, UNC is doing plenty. Its cybersecurity programs are housed within the Department of Software and Information Systems. It established the CyberDNA Research Center to conduct cutting-edge research into information security technology and technics.

UNC school has also established its own Cybersecurity Boot Camp on the Charlotte campus that promises to put students in a position to work in cybersecurity within 24 months. 

So UNC, combined with other smaller schools, is providing would-be cybersecurity students with strong options for pursuing their career goals. 

Related resources

  • From every angle: Is cybersecurity a good career?
  • How to get into cybersecurity and build a rewarding career
  • Learn How to Code for Cybersecurity
  • Internet safety resources for students
  • Find the latest on cybersecurity scholarship opportunities

Cybersecurity associate degrees in North Carolina

The pressure is on all organizations to maintain maximum security of information at all times, and the rapidly evolving technology makes it critical that they keep up. For this reason, the emphasis is on experienced cybersecurity professionals.

The shortfall in personnel supply as compared to demand ensures employers will continue to seek out entry-level infosec professionals to maintain adequate defenses against cyber attacks. 

Learn how to respond to cyber attacks

Many employers, particularly larger companies, are happy to consider associate’s degrees as qualifying candidates for these entry-level positions. Associate’s degree programs typically take a year to two to complete.

With that and some experience in real-world cybersecurity, professionals can go back to school and earn a bachelor’s degree or higher when time and resources permit. Associate’s degree courses will often count as credit toward bachelor’s degree programs, making it easier and less expensive to reach completion.

Campus-based associate’s degrees

There are three separate cybersecurity associate’s degree programs currently being offered on North Carolina community college campuses. See details and links below.

  1. Halifax Community College

    Weldon, North Carolina
    Program: Associate in Applied Science in Cybersecurity
    Credits: 67
    Cost per credit: $76 in state | $268 out of state
    Delivery Method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details
  2. MyComputerCareer

    Raleigh, North Carolina
    Program: Associate of Applied Science in Network Administration and Cyber Security
    Credits: 72
    Cost per credit: $438
    Delivery Method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details
  3. Wake Technical Community College

    Raleigh, North Carolina
    Program: Cybersecurity – AAS Degree
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Credits: 69
    Cost per credit: $76 in state | $268 out of state
    Delivery Method: Campus, Online, Hybrid
    Learn more: Program details

Online associate’s degrees

Online options for cybersecurity associate’s degrees in North Carolina are listed below.

  1. Craven Community College

    New Bern, North Carolina
    Program: Associate in Applied Science- Cybersecurity and Networking
    Credits: 75
    Cost per credit: $76 in state | $268 out of state
    Delivery Method: Online
    Learn more: Program details
  2. Montreat College

    Montreat, North Carolina
    Program: Associate Degree in Cybersecurity
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Credits: 60
    Cost per credit: $1,047
    Delivery Method: Online
    Learn more: Program details
  3. Rowan-Cabarrus Community College

    Salisbury, North Carolina
    Program: Associate in Applied Science in Cyber Security
    Credits: 70-71
    Cost per credit: $76 in-state | $268 out of state
    Delivery Method: Online
    Learn more: Program details

Cybersecurity bachelor’s degrees in North Carolina

Cybersecurity being the critical pursuit that it has become, most industry jobs require at least a bachelor’s degree in a computer-related or STEM discipline. Having an undergraduate degree in a cybersecurity specialty will help put a professional’s resume close to the top of the pile for job openings.

Strangely, bachelor’s degree programs are lacking in North Carolina at present, but we would expect that to change soon. 

Online bachelor’s degrees

Just one online cybersecurity bachelor’s degree is being offered by North Carolina schools. Montreat College has a program for a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity.

  1. Montreat College

    Montreat, North Carolina
    Program: Bachelors of Science in Cybersecurity
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Credits: 120
    Cost per credit: $425
    Delivery Method: Online
    Learn more: Program details

Cybersecurity certifications in North Carolina

Certification programs are beneficial for anyone starting in cybersecurity but also for experienced professionals. Various types of certification programs are designed for different audiences. 

For beginners trying to decide whether cybersecurity is right for them, certain types of certifications give an introduction to the technologies and techniques being used. Completing such certifications will almost certainly provide job applicants with an advantage for entry-level jobs. 

Some cybersecurity certifications are designed to advance study in a distinct specialty, penetration testing, for example, for experienced professionals. These specialized infosec certifications go a long way toward enhancing resumes and help boosting careers. 

Learn more about pen-testing certification guide

Still, other cybersecurity certifications are designed to be substitutes for advanced degrees, particularly master’s degrees.   

Campus-based cybersecurity certifications

Six campus-based certification programs are now being offered by North Carolina schools. The below list has more information. 

  1. Cape Fear Community College

    Wilmington, North Carolina
    Program: Cyber Crime Certificate
    Credits: 13
    Cost per credit: $76 in state | $268 out of state
    Delivery Method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details
  2. Fayetteville Technical Community College

    Fayetteville, North Carolina
    Program: Cyber Crime Analysis Certificate
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Credits: 18
    Cost per credit: $76 in state | $268 out of state
    Delivery Method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details
  3. Guilford Technical Community College

    Jamestown, North Carolina
    Program: Cyber Crime and Digital Forensics Certificate
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Credits: 13
    Cost per credit: $76 in state | $268 out of state
    Delivery Method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details
  4. North Carolina State University

    Raleigh, North Carolina
    Program: Graduate Certificate Program in Cybersecurity
    CAE designation: CAE-R
    Credits: 12
    Cost per credit: $526 in state | $1635 out of state
    Delivery Method: Campus, Online
    Learn more: Program details
  5. Queens University of Charlotte

    Charlotte, North Carolina
    Program: Cybersecurity Management Certificate
    Credits: 15
    Cost per credit: $1,165
    Delivery Method: Campus, Online
    Learn more: Program details
  6. South Piedmont Community College

    Polkton, North Carolina
    Program: Cyber Crime Technology – Cyber Crime Certificate
    Credits: 16
    Cost per credit: $76 in state | $268 out of state
    Delivery Method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details

Online cybersecurity certifications

There are also four certification programs available via online access. These are listed below:

  1. Craven Community College

    New Bern, North Carolina
    Program: Cybersecurity Technician Certificate
    Credits: 18
    Cost per credit: $76 in state | $268 out of state
    Delivery Method: Online
    Learn more: Program details
  2. North Carolina A&T State University

    Greensboro, North Carolina
    Program: Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Cybersecurity
    CAE designation: CAE-CD, CAE-R
    Credits: 12
    Cost per credit: $240 in state | $867 out of state
    Delivery Method: Online
    Learn more: Program details
  3. North Carolina State University

    Raleigh, North Carolina
    Program: Graduate Certificate Program in Cybersecurity
    CAE designation: CAE-R
    Credits: 12
    Cost per credit: $526 in state | $1635 out of state
    Delivery Method: Campus, Online
    Learn more: Program details
  4. Queens University of Charlotte

    Charlotte, North Carolina
    Program: Cybersecurity Management Certificate
    Credits: 15
    Cost per credit: $1,165
    Delivery Method: Campus, Online
    Learn more: Program details

Cybersecurity jobs in North Carolina

North Carolina is experiencing high growth in its cybersecurity industry, and the supply of qualified professionals is not keeping up. CyberSeek reports that, currently, there are 37,533 people employed in some aspect of cybersecurity.

Recently, state employers posted 13,591 new job openings for information security professionals. The three largest cities in North Carolina are home to most of these job openings.

North Carolina’s government is taking steps to increase the available labor pool, particularly with efforts to tap into the state’s large veteran population.

Still, the state’s economic makeup being focused on financial intermediaries ensures that demand for new talent will continue to grow as cybersecurity becomes an increasingly pressing issue.

Recently, security analysts were being paid a little less than the national average wages. The average hourly wage is $61.89 and the average annual salary is $128,720 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The standard of living in North Carolina, however, was well below the national average. The relatively low cost of housing is the primary reason it’s cheaper to live in North Carolina. Keep in mind, though, that these are statewide figures.

In areas surrounding the biggest cities housing will, of course, be more expensive, and this is where most of the cybersecurity jobs are. Still, the cost of living in the most expensive city, Charlotte, is significantly lower than national averages.

Cybersecurity in North Carolina

The sea change in North Carolina’s economy in recent decades has come at a time when stores of information are rapidly becoming more vulnerable.

The industries now leading the way in the Tar Heel state – finance, healthcare, information technology, and research – are favored targets of hackers, and thus big users of cybersecurity services. 

The state’s government is also providing support for veterans and girls interested in cybersecurity careers. It’s also leading the way in educating the general public about vulnerability and how to avoid being hacked, as well as with its information security. 

Learn more about women’s guide in cybersecurity

Recent employment statistics show that cybersecurity employment is growing rapidly. Unfortunately, job demand is growing faster than the availability of qualified cybersecurity employees.

This is creating a seller’s market in North Carolina, greatly favoring professionals possessing the skills to fill critical cybersecurity roles.

Source

  • Cybersecurity supply/demand information | Source from Cyberseek in February 2025
  • Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics | Source from BLS in February 2025

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