Cybersecurity Guide

Cybersecurity Degree Programs and Schools in Texas

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Written by Cybersecurity Guide Contributors

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

Expert reviewed by Steven Bowcut

With over 30 years of experience in the security industry, Steven Bowcut is a skilled editor, writer, and consultant.

In this guide

Texas is one of the few places where you can walk from a university lab into a federal cyber mission without leaving the metro. San Antonio has the largest concentration of cyber assets in the United States outside the Washington, D.C., region, which is why locals call it Cyber City.

The NSA’s Texas Cryptologic Center runs signals intelligence and cyberspace operations from a 633,000-square-foot facility staffing more than 3,000 people, and the Sixteenth Air Force (AFCyber) is headquartered at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland.

That gravity pulls in employers across the state: USAA and Rackspace in San Antonio, Lockheed Martin’s Missiles and Fire Control campus in Grand Prairie, RTX in Richardson with more than 6,000 workers, and Dell, Texas Instruments, and AT&T across the Dallas-Fort Worth and Austin corridors.

For students weighing where to study, Texas offers something rare: NSA-designated programs at the University of Texas at San Antonio, Texas A&M, and UT Dallas that feed directly into that ecosystem.

QUICK ANSWER
Texas runs the second-largest concentration of cybersecurity talent in the country after Washington, D.C., anchored by San Antonio’s “Cyber City” cluster around NSA Texas and the Sixteenth Air Force.

The University of Texas at San Antonio, Texas A&M, and UT Dallas are the state’s flagship NSA-designated Centers of Academic Excellence, and Information Security Analysts in Texas earn a mean wage of $119,480.

The best fit depends on whether you want federal and defense work in San Antonio, finance and corporate security in Dallas-Fort Worth, or startup and product security in Austin.

Why Texas is distinctive for a cybersecurity career

Most states pitch cybersecurity as a generic growth field. Texas can point to a specific map. San Antonio is the anchor. It holds the largest concentration of cyber assets in the country outside the D.C. region, home to NSA Texas, the Sixteenth Air Force (Air Forces Cyber) at JBSA-Lackland, and more than 200 companies serving the cybersecurity market.

The city also has the most NSA and DHS Center of Academic Excellence-designated schools of any metro in the nation, which keeps a cleared, credentialed workforce flowing straight into federal and contractor roles.

The rest of the state fills out four distinct lanes. Dallas-Fort Worth runs on finance and defense, with USAA-scale security operations, Lockheed Martin’s IT and Missiles and Fire Control work in Grand Prairie, RTX in Richardson, and telecom and banking security teams at AT&T and Texas Instruments.

Austin is the startup and product lane, dense with Dell, Oracle, Tesla, and a deep bench of AI, semiconductor, and software firms that need application and cloud security talent.

Houston is energy, which means industrial control systems and operational technology security for the pipelines, refineries, and grid operators that keep the Gulf Coast running. Pick a city in Texas and you are effectively picking a specialization.

The Texas cybersecurity job market

Texas has one of the steepest cybersecurity workforce growth curves in the country. The state’s demand for cyber talent grew 307.1 percent between 2010 and 2025, outpacing the national growth rate of 240.8 percent over the same period.

Openings peaked at 66,682 in 2022 during the post-pandemic hiring surge and settled at 42,559 in 2025, still one of the largest pools of unfilled cyber roles of any state.

The interactive supply-and-demand data below breaks those openings down by role, certification, and metro so you can see where the gaps actually sit.

State Spotlight · Texas

Inside Texas’s cybersecurity job market

Texas is one of the country’s largest cybersecurity employment markets, with demand spread across Dallas–Fort Worth, Austin, Houston, San Antonio, and other regional centers serving technology, finance, energy, defense, health care, government, and professional-services employers.

Published job-opening benchmarks, 2010–2025. Because CyberSeek reporting windows and occupational definitions have changed over time, the figures below are best read as market snapshots rather than a continuous, like-for-like annual series.

Open roles in 2025
42,559

CyberSeek listings during the 12 months from May 2024 through April 2025.

National state ranking
No. 3

Behind Virginia and California in the June 2025 CyberSeek release.

Share of U.S. postings
8.3%

Texas accounted for about one in twelve of the 514,359 U.S. listings.

Texas openings, published benchmarks

Cybersecurity job postings reported in selected periods

2010
≈8,697
2014
18,525
2019
24,000+
2024
36,873
2025
42,559Latest

The 2010 value is an estimate derived from Texas’s reported 18,525 postings in 2014 and 113% growth from 2010 to 2014. The 2019 figure was published as “more than 24,000.” The 2024 and 2025 values use different rolling 12-month CyberSeek reporting periods, so this chart shows direction and scale—not a strict annual time series.

Sources: Burning Glass Technologies, CyberSeek, and published CyberSeek-based snapshots · Texas, selected periods

Texas vs. national, indexed benchmarks

2010 = 100 — directional comparison across selected published snapshots

Texas National
2010
Texas100
National100
2014
Texas213
National191
2024
Texas424
National367
2025
Texas489
National413
0100200300400500

On this benchmark basis, Texas expanded faster than the national market. Interpret the index directionally: the underlying sources use different occupational definitions and reporting windows, and the 2010 Texas value is derived rather than directly published.

Sources: Published Texas and U.S. posting benchmarks · indexed to estimated 2010 values

Three phases of market development

2010 – 2014

Rapid expansion

Texas postings rose 113% to 18,525, while Dallas and Austin appeared among the country’s leading metropolitan markets for cybersecurity demand and growth.

2015 – 2023

Multi-metro scale

Demand broadened across the state’s technology, finance, energy, defense, health care, government, and professional-services employers, pushing published statewide openings above 24,000 by 2019.

2024 – 2025

Renewed hiring growth

CyberSeek’s published count increased from 36,873 in the prior reporting snapshot to 42,559 in the May 2024–April 2025 period, placing Texas third nationally.

Published benchmark data

Year / period Texas Change National TX share
2010 estimate ≈8,697 — ≈124,690 ≈6.98%
2014 18,525 +113.0% 238,158 7.78%
2019 snapshot 24,000+ At least +29.6% 300,000+ Not comparable
Sep. 2023–Aug. 2024 36,873 Different period 457,398 8.06%
May 2024–Apr. 2025 Latest 42,559 +15.4% 514,359 8.27%

The 2010 Texas estimate is calculated from the 2014 total and the report’s stated 113% growth. The 2010 national estimate is calculated from the 2014 national total and stated 91% growth. “Change” compares each figure with the preceding displayed benchmark, except where reporting periods or definitions are not directly comparable.

Sources: Burning Glass Technologies 2015 report; CyberSeek; published CyberSeek-based Texas snapshots

What it means for job seekers

  • A top-three state market. Texas recorded 42,559 cybersecurity-related listings in CyberSeek’s May 2024–April 2025 reporting period.
  • Demand is geographically diverse. Dallas–Fort Worth, Austin, Houston, and San Antonio create multiple entry points rather than a single-city labor market.
  • Industry options are broad. Candidates can target technology, finance, energy, defense, health care, government, consulting, and other security-intensive sectors.
  • Read posting counts carefully. Online listings measure employer demand, not guaranteed unique vacancies, hires, entry-level availability, or outcomes for individual applicants.

Best cybersecurity schools and programs in Texas

The clearest signal of program quality in Texas is the NSA and DHS Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) designation.

The University of Texas at San Antonio sits in a small national group, and one of only a few schools in Texas, holding all three CAE designations at once: Cyber Defense (CAE-CD), Cyber Operations (CAE-CO), and Research (CAE-R). UTSA’s National Security Collaboration Center puts students alongside federal and industry partners on real problems.

Texas A&M in College Station holds CAE-CD and CAE-CO designations and runs a large security research program, and UT Dallas set a public goal back in 2012 of becoming a national cyber leader and has built one of the deeper technical faculties in the state.

At the master’s level, the page currently features St. Mary’s University and Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, the University of Dallas and Southern Methodist University in the Dallas metro, and Houston Christian University. Our Lady of the Lake and SMU both carry CAE-CD status.

  1. St. Mary's University

    San Antonio, Texas
    Program: Master of Science in Cybersecurity
    Delivery method: Online & campus
    Total tuition: $38,478
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $1,166
    Credits: 33
    GRE: Not required
    Learn more: Program details

  2. Our Lady of the Lake University

    San Antonio, Texas
    Program: Master's in Cybersecurity
    Delivery method: Online
    Total tuition: $29,730
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $991
    Credits: 30
    GRE: Not Required
    Learn more: Program details

  3. University of Dallas

    Dallas, Texas
    Program: Masters of Science (M.S.) in Cybersecurity
    Delivery method: Online
    Total tuition: $39,000
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $1,300
    Credits: 30
    GRE: Not Required
    Learn more: Program details

  4. Houston Christian University

    Houston, Texas
    Program: Master of Science in Cybersecurity
    Delivery method: Online
    Total tuition: $18,600
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $620
    Credits: 30
    GRE: Required
    Learn more: Program details

  5. Southern Methodist University

    Dallas, Texas
    Program: Masters in Cybersecurity
    Delivery method: Online
    Total tuition: $40,500
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $1,350
    Credits: 30
    GRE: Required
    Learn more: Program details

These rankings were compiled from data accessed in March 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 March 2026.

For bachelor’s degrees, the strongest in-state names on the page include the University of Texas at San Antonio, Sam Houston State University in Huntsville (CAE-CD), Angelo State University in San Angelo (CAE-CD), the University of Texas at El Paso, and the University of Houston-Downtown, with community-college pathways at Austin Community College, Collin College, and Lone Star College feeding into them. 

  1. Hallmark University

    San Antonio, Texas
    Program: Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
    Tuition: $66,000
    Delivery method: Campus
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $550
    Credits: 120
    Learn more: Program details

  2. Abilene Christian University

    Abilene, Texas
    Program: Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
    Tuition: $47,400
    Delivery method: Online
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $395
    Credits: 120
    Learn more: Program details

  3. The University of Texas at El Paso

    El Paso, Texas
    Program: Bachelor of Arts in Security Studies
    Tuition: $64,800
    Delivery method: Online
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $420 in-state | $540 out-of-state
    Credits: 120
    Learn more: Program details

  4. The University of Texas at San Antonio

    San Antonio, Texas
    Program: Cybersecurity B.S.
    Tuition: $94,354.8
    Delivery method: Online & campus
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $247.95 in-state | $786.29 out-of-state
    Credits: 120
    Learn more: Program details

  5. East Texas A&M University

    Commerce, Texas
    Program: Cybersecurity (BS)
    Tuition: $88,740
    Delivery method: Campus
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $315 in-state | $739.50 out-of-state
    Credits: 120
    Learn more: Program details

  6. Dallas Baptist University

    Dallas, Texas
    Program: Cybersecurity (BS)
    Tuition: $164,760
    Delivery method: Campus
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $1,373
    Credits: 120
    Learn more: Program details

  7. Sam Houston State University

    Huntsville, Texas
    Program: BS in Cybersecurity
    Tuition: $124,992
    Delivery method: Campus
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $636.60 in-state | $1,041.60 out-of-state
    Credits: 120
    Learn more: Program details

  8. McMurry University

    Abilene, Texas
    Program: Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
    Tuition: $43,200
    Delivery method: Online & Hybrid
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $360
    Credits: 120
    Learn more: Program details

  9. University of Houston-Downtown

    Houston, Texas
    Program: Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
    Tuition: $78,090
    Delivery method: Campus
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $258.50 in-state | $650.75 out-of-state
    Credits: 120
    Learn more: Program details

  10. Collin College

    McKinney, Texas
    Program: Cybersecurity, BAT
    Tuition: $24,240
    Delivery method: Campus
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $67 in-state | $202 out-of-state
    Credits: 120
    Learn more: Program details

These rankings were compiled from data accessed in March 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 March 2026.

On the associate and CAE-CD community-college side, San Antonio College, St. Philip’s College, El Paso Community College, Hill College, and Collin County Community College all carry Cyber Defense designations.

How to choose a Texas program

Start with the CAE question. A program’s NSA and DHS designation is the single most portable quality signal, and it matters most if you are aiming at federal or cleared defense work in San Antonio, where hiring pipelines are built around CAE schools.

Next, match the program’s location to the career lane you want, since studying in the metro where you plan to work gives you access to internships, adjunct instructors who work in the field, and a local alumni network.

Weigh delivery format honestly: an online bachelor’s or master’s makes sense if you are already working, while an on-campus program near a hub buys you proximity to employers.

Finally, read the curriculum for hands-on labs, capture-the-flag work, and clear certification alignment, because Texas employers hire on demonstrated skills as much as on degrees.

Cybersecurity degree pathways in Texas

Comparing cybersecurity education pathways

PathwayBest suited forPrimary purpose
CertificateStudents or professionals seeking focused trainingDevelop a specific skill, prepare for certification, or test interest in cybersecurity
Associate degreeFirst-time college students and career changersBuild technical foundations and prepare for entry-level work or transfer
Bachelor’s degreeStudents seeking a broad cybersecurity educationQualify for a wider range of analyst, engineering, consulting, and government roles
Master’s degreeBachelor’s degree holders and experienced professionalsDevelop advanced technical, leadership, policy, or risk-management expertise

Building a stackable cybersecurity pathway

Cybersecurity education does not have to follow one fixed sequence. Common pathways include:

Certificate → associate degree → bachelor’s degree
Associate degree → applied bachelor’s degree
Bachelor’s degree → entry-level employment → master’s degree
IT or computer science degree → cybersecurity certificate or graduate degree
Military or professional experience → academic credential → advanced security role

Students planning to combine credentials should review transfer and residency requirements before enrolling.

Selecting programs whose credits can be applied to a later degree can reduce repeated coursework, shorten completion time, and make the overall pathway more affordable.

The Texas program directory below can be used to compare credentials, delivery methods, credit requirements, tuition information, and institutional cybersecurity designations.

Program details can change, so students should verify current requirements and costs with the institution before applying.

Associate degrees in cybersecurity

An associate degree can provide an accessible starting point for students entering cybersecurity without an existing college degree. Most programs concentrate on practical foundations such as networking, operating systems, system administration, security monitoring, access control, and basic incident response.

Students commonly use an associate degree in one of two ways:

  • Enter the workforce in a technical support, networking, junior security, or security operations role.
  • Transfer into a bachelor’s program after completing lower-division and general education requirements.

Prospective transfer students should verify whether an Associate of Applied Science degree will transfer into their intended bachelor’s program. Applied degrees are often designed primarily for workforce preparation, and not every course will automatically count toward a four-year degree.

When comparing Texas associate programs, look for hands-on laboratories, internship opportunities, clearly published transfer agreements, and coursework that develops both networking and security skills.

  1. Amarillo College

    Amarillo, Texas
    Program: A.A.S. in Computer Networking/Cyber Security
    Credits: 60
    Cost per credit: $47 in state | $111 out of state
    Delivery Method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details

  2. Collin County Community College District

    McKinney, Texas
    Program: AAS - Information Systems Cybersecurity
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Credits: 60
    Cost per credit: $60 in state | $185 out of state
    Delivery Method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details

  3. El Paso Community College

    El Paso, Texas
    Program: Associate of Applied Science in Cybersecurity
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Credits: 60
    Cost per credit: $116 in state | $201 out of state
    Delivery Method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details

  4. Hill College

    Hillsboro, Texas
    Program: Associate of Applied Science - Networking Cybersecurity
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Credits: 60
    Cost per credit: $97 in state | $297 out of state
    Delivery Method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details

  5. Richland College

    Dallas, Texas
    Program: AAS in Cyber Security
    Credits: 60
    Cost per credit: $79 in-state | $135 out of state
    Delivery Method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details

  6. San Antonio College

    San Antonio, Texas
    Program: Information Assurance and Cybersecurity, A.A.S.
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Credits: 60
    Cost per credit: $109 in-state | $476 out of state
    Delivery Method: Campus, Online
    Learn more: Program details

  7. San Jacinto Community College

    Pasadena, Texas
    Program: Cyber Security Specialty, Associate of Applied Science
    Credits: 60
    Cost per credit: $135 in-state | $210 out of state
    Delivery Method: Campus, Online
    Learn more: Program details

  8. South Texas College

    McAllen, Texas
    Program: Cybersecurity Specialist Associate of Applied Science
    Credits: 60
    Cost per credit: $164 in state | $250 out of state
    Delivery Method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details

  9. St Philip’s College

    San Antonio, Texas
    Program: Associate of Applied Science in Information Technology Cybersecurity Specialist
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Credits: 60
    Cost per credit: $109 in state | $476 out of state
    Delivery Method: Campus, Online
    Learn more: Program details

  10. Texas State Technical College Williamson County

    Hutto, Rosenberg, Marshall, Harlingen, Waco, and Red Oak, Texas
    Program: Associate of Applied Science – Cyber Security
    Credits: 60
    Cost per credit: $479 in-state | $789 out of state
    Delivery Method: Campus, Online
    Learn more: Program details

Bachelor’s degrees in cybersecurity

Bachelor’s programs are the most comprehensive undergraduate route into the cybersecurity profession. It generally combines cybersecurity coursework with broader study in computing, communication, mathematics, business, or criminal justice.

Program titles and academic emphasis can differ significantly:

  • Bachelor of Science programs usually place greater emphasis on programming, networks, operating systems, technical security, and computing theory.
  • Bachelor of Arts programs may include more coursework in policy, communication, intelligence, criminal justice, or the social dimensions of security.
  • Applied bachelor’s programs, including Bachelor of Applied Science and Bachelor of Applied Technology degrees, are often designed for students transferring from technical or associate-level programs.
  • Information systems or computer science degrees with security coursework may provide a broader technology education rather than concentrating exclusively on cybersecurity.

Students should compare curricula rather than relying solely on the degree title. A strong program should provide opportunities to apply security concepts through laboratories, projects, competitions, internships, research, or a senior capstone.

Campus-based bachelor’s degree

  1. Angelo State University

    San Angelo, Texas
    Program: Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Cybersecurity
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Delivery method: Online & campus
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $640 in-state | $1,459 out-of-state
    Credits: 120
    Learn more: Program details

  2. Austin Community College District

    Austin, Texas
    Program: Bachelor of Applied Science in Cybersecurity
    Delivery method: Campus
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $286 in-state | $353 out-of-state
    Credits: 120
    Learn more: Program details

  3. Collin College

    McKinney, Texas
    Program: Cybersecurity, BAT
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Delivery method: Campus
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $67 in-state | $202 out-of-state
    Credits: 120
    Learn more: Program details

  4. Dallas Baptist University

    Dallas, Texas
    Program: Cybersecurity (BS)
    Delivery method: Campus
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $1,373
    Credits: 120
    Learn more: Program details

  5. East Texas A&M University

    Commerce, Texas
    Program: Cybersecurity (BS)
    Delivery method: Campus
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $315 in-state | $739.50 out-of-state
    Credits: 120
    Learn more: Program details

  6. Hallmark University

    San Antonio, Texas
    Program: Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
    Delivery method: Campus
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $550
    Credits: 120
    Learn more: Program details

  7. Houston Christian University

    Houston, Texas
    Program: BS in Cybersecurity
    Delivery method: Campus
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $1,236
    Credits: 123
    Learn more: Program details

  8. Lamar University

    Beaumont, Texas
    Program: Bachelor's Degree in Cybersecurity
    Delivery method: Online & campus
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $259.49 in-state | $664.49 out-of-state
    Credits: 120
    Learn more: Program details

  9. Lone Star College

    The Woodlands, Texas
    Program: Bachelor of Applied Technology in Cybersecurity
    Delivery method: Campus
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $111 in-state | $313 out-of-state
    Credits: 120
    Learn more: Program details

  10. McMurry University

    Abilene, Texas
    Program: Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
    Delivery method: Online & Hybrid
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $360
    Credits: 120
    Learn more: Program details

  11. Our Lady of the Lake University

    San Antonio, Texas
    Program: BA in Computer Information Systems and Security – Security Track
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Delivery method: Campus
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $997
    Credits: 120
    Learn more: Program details

  12. Sam Houston State University

    Huntsville, Texas
    Program: BS in Cybersecurity
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Delivery method: Campus
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $636.60 in-state | $1,041.60 out-of-state
    Credits: 120
    Learn more: Program details

  13. St. Philip’s College

    San Antonio, Texas
    Program: Bachelor of Applied Technology (BAT) in Cybersecurity
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Delivery method: Online, campus & hybrid
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $180
    Credits: 120
    Learn more: Program details

  14. Texas A&M University-San Antonio

    San Antonio, Texas
    Program: Bachelors of Science in Cyber Security
    Delivery method: Online & campus
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $808.39 in-state | $1,153.54 out-of-state
    Credits: 120
    Learn more: Program details

  15. Texas A&M University-Victoria

    Victoria, Texas
    Program: Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems in Cyber Security
    Delivery method: Online & campus
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $212.94 in-state | $617.94 out-of-state
    Credits: 120
    Learn more: Program details

  16. The University of Texas at Dallas

    Richardson, Texas
    Program: BS in Cybersecurity and Risk Management
    CAE designation: CAE-CD, CAE-R
    Delivery method: Campus
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $488.8 in-state | $1338.8 out-of-state
    Credits: 120
    Learn more: Program details

  17. The University of Texas at San Antonio

    San Antonio, Texas
    Program: Cybersecurity B.S.
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Delivery method: Online & campus
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $247.95 in-state | $786.29 out-of-state
    Credits: 120
    Learn more: Program details

  18. University of Houston-Downtown

    Houston, Texas
    Program: Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
    Delivery method: Campus
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $258.50 in-state | $650.75 out-of-state
    Credits: 120
    Learn more: Program details

  19. University of North Texas

    Denton, Texas
    Program: BS in Cybersecurity
    CAE designation: CAE-CD, CAE-R
    Delivery method: Campus
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $448.73 in-state | $853.73 out-of-state
    Credits: 120
    Learn more: Program details

  20. University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

    Edinburg, Texas
    Program: Bachelor of Science in Cyber Security
    Delivery method: Campus
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $695.40 in-state | $1,100.40 out-of-state
    Credits: 120
    Learn more: Program details

Online bachelor’s degree

  1. Abilene Christian University

    Abilene, Texas
    Program: Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
    Delivery method: Online
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $395
    Credits: 120
    Learn more: Program details

  2. Angelo State University

    San Angelo, Texas
    Program: Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Cybersecurity
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Delivery method: Online & campus
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $640 in-state | $1,459 out-of-state
    Credits: 120
    Learn more: Program details

  3. Lamar University

    Beaumont, Texas
    Program: Bachelor's Degree in Cybersecurity
    Delivery method: Online & campus
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $259.49 in-state | $664.49 out-of-state
    Credits: 120
    Learn more: Program details

  4. McMurry University

    Abilene, Texas
    Program: Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
    Delivery method: Online & Hybrid
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $360
    Credits: 120
    Learn more: Program details

  5. St. Philip’s College

    San Antonio, Texas
    Program: Bachelor of Applied Technology (BAT) in Cybersecurity
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Delivery method: Online, campus & hybrid
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $180
    Credits: 120
    Learn more: Program details

  6. Texas A&M University-San Antonio

    San Antonio, Texas
    Program: Bachelors of Science in Cyber Security
    Delivery method: Online & campus
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $808.39 in-state | $1,153.54 out-of-state
    Credits: 120
    Learn more: Program details

  7. Texas A&M University-Victoria

    Victoria, Texas
    Program: Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems in Cyber Security
    Delivery method: Online & campus
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $212.94 in-state | $617.94 out-of-state
    Credits: 120
    Learn more: Program details

  8. The University of Texas at El Paso

    El Paso, Texas
    Program: Bachelor of Arts in Security Studies
    Delivery method: Online
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $420 in-state | $540 out-of-state
    Credits: 120
    Learn more: Program details

  9. The University of Texas at San Antonio

    San Antonio, Texas
    Program: Cybersecurity B.S.
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Delivery method: Online & campus
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $382 in-state | $920 out-of-state
    Credits: 120
    Learn more: Program details

Master’s degrees in cybersecurity

A cybersecurity master’s degree is generally intended for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree and want advanced preparation for technical, managerial, research, policy, or risk-focused positions.

Not every master’s program serves the same type of student. Some emphasize secure systems, cyber operations, digital forensics, threat intelligence, or security engineering. Others focus more heavily on governance, compliance, privacy, strategy, or organizational risk.

Applicants should determine whether a program expects previous coursework or professional experience in programming, networking, computer science, engineering, or information technology.

Career changers may benefit from programs that provide prerequisite or foundation courses before advanced security study begins.

A master’s degree may help experienced professionals move into positions involving security architecture, engineering, consulting, program management, governance, or leadership.

However, graduate education should complement—not replace—practical experience and demonstrated technical ability.

Campus-based master’s degree

  1. St. Mary's University

    San Antonio, Texas
    Program: Master of Science in Cybersecurity
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Delivery method: Online & campus
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $1,166
    Credits: 33
    GRE: Not required
    Learn more: Program details

  2. Stephen F Austin State University

    Nacogdoches, Texas
    Program: Master of Science Degree in Cyber Security
    Delivery method: Campus
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $1,663 in-state | $2,361 out-of-state
    Credits: 36
    GRE: Not required
    Learn more: Program details

  3. The University of Texas at Dallas

    Richardson, Texas
    Program: Master of Science in Cyber Security, Technology and Policy
    CAE designation: CAE-CD, CAE-R
    Delivery method: Campus
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $1,916 in-state | $2,827 out-of-state
    Credits: 36
    GRE: Not required
    Learn more: Program details

  4. The University of Texas at San Antonio

    San Antonio, Texas
    Program: Master of Science in Cybersecurity Science
    Delivery method: Campus
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $1,101
    Credits: 30
    GRE: Not required
    Learn more: Program details

  5. The University of Texas at Tyler

    Tyler, Texas
    Program: Master of Science in Cybersecurity and Data Analytics
    Delivery method: Online & campus
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $748 in-state | $1,774 out-of-state
    Credits: 36
    GRE: Not Required
    Learn more: Program details

  6. University of Houston

    Sugar Land, Texas
    Program: Master of Science in Cybersecurity
    CAE designation: CAE-CD, CAE-R
    Delivery method: Campus
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $676.25 in-state | $1,181.25 out-of-state
    Credits: 30
    GRE: Required
    Learn more: Program details

  7. University of North Texas

    Denton, Texas
    Program: Masters in Cybersecurity
    CAE designation: CAE-CD, CAE-R
    Delivery method: Campus
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $666.79 in-state | $1 071.79 out-of-state
    Credits: 33
    GRE: Required
    Learn more: Program details

Online master’s degree

  1. Houston Christian University

    Houston, Texas
    Program: Master of Science in Cybersecurity
    Delivery method: Online
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $620
    Credits: 30
    GRE: Required
    Learn more: Program details

  2. Our Lady of the Lake University

    San Antonio, Texas
    Program: Master's in Cybersecurity
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Delivery method: Online
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $991
    Credits: 30
    GRE: Not Required
    Learn more: Program details

  3. Southern Methodist University

    Dallas, Texas
    Program: Masters in Cybersecurity
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Delivery method: Online
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $1,350
    Credits: 30
    GRE: Required
    Learn more: Program details

  4. St. Mary's University

    San Antonio, Texas
    Program: Master of Science in Cybersecurity
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Delivery method: Online & campus
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $1,166
    Credits: 33
    GRE: Not required
    Learn more: Program details

  5. The University of Texas at Tyler

    Tyler, Texas
    Program: Master of Science in Cybersecurity and Data Analytics
    Delivery method: Online & campus
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $748 in-state | $1,774 out-of-state
    Credits: 36
    GRE: Not Required
    Learn more: Program details

  6. University of Dallas

    Dallas, Texas
    Program: Masters of Science (M.S.) in Cybersecurity
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Delivery method: Online
    2025/2026 Cost per credit: $1,300
    Credits: 30
    GRE: Not Required
    Learn more: Program details

Career paths and where the jobs are

Where you want to work in Texas should shape what you study. If you want federal or defense cyber work, San Antonio is the destination: NSA Texas, the Sixteenth Air Force, and contractors around Port San Antonio hire for cleared roles in signals intelligence, offensive and defensive operations, and threat analysis, and a UTSA or Texas A&M pedigree plus a clearance moves you to the front of the line.

If you want corporate and financial security, Dallas-Fort Worth is the deepest market in the state, with security operations, compliance, and threat-response teams at USAA, RTX, Lockheed Martin, AT&T, and the region’s banks and insurers.

Austin rewards application security, cloud security, and product security engineers who can sit inside fast-moving software and hardware companies like Dell, Oracle, and Tesla.

Houston is the place for operational technology and industrial control system security, protecting the energy infrastructure along the Gulf Coast. Common entry titles across all four hubs include SOC analyst, security analyst, and GRC analyst, with clear ladders into engineering, incident response, and architecture.

Salary and cost of living in Texas

Information security analysts in Texas earn a mean annual wage of $119,480, with the top ten percent of earners clearing roughly $167,000. That sits modestly below the national median of $124,910 for the occupation, but the comparison is misleading without the cost-of-living adjustment.

Texas has no state income tax, and housing across San Antonio, Houston, and most of the DFW metro runs well under coastal-tech benchmarks, so a Texas salary generally stretches further than the raw number suggests.

Austin is the exception, where tech-driven housing costs have climbed closer to national highs, though salaries there tend to run higher to match. Cleared federal and defense roles in San Antonio also carry a premium, since a security clearance is a scarce, portable credential in that market.

Certifications and workforce programs

Certifications provide a shorter and more specialized route than a full degree. Texas institutions offer undergraduate certificates, graduate certificates, continuing-education programs, and workforce credentials for students at different stages of their careers.

A college certificate and an industry certification are not the same:

  • An academic certificate is a group of courses completed through a college or university.
  • An industry certification is earned by passing an examination administered by an organization such as CompTIA, Cisco, ISACA, ISC2, or another certification provider.

  1. Amarillo College

    Amarillo, Texas
    Program: Computer Cyber-Security Certificate
    Credits: 30
    Cost per credit: $156 in-state | $305 out of state
    Delivery Method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details

  2. Central Texas College

    Killeen, Texas
    Program: Certificate of Completion in Cybersecurity
    Credits: 16
    Cost per credit: $105 in state | $205 out of state
    Delivery Method: Campus, Online
    Learn more: Program details

  3. South Texas College

    McAllen, Texas
    Program: Cybersecurity Specialist Certificate
    Credits: 32
    Cost per credit: $164 in state | $250 out of state
    Delivery Method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details

  4. St. Mary’s University

    San Antonio, Texas
    Program: Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity
    Credits: 12
    Cost per credit: $1,099
    Delivery Method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details

  5. Texas A&M University

    College Station, Texas
    Program: Cyber Operations - Certificate
    CAE designation: CAE-CD, CAE-R, CAE-CO
    Credits: 12
    Cost per credit: $799
    Delivery Method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details

  6. The University of Texas at Dallas

    Richardson, Texas
    Program: Certificate in Cybersecurity Systems (CCSS)
    Credits: 12
    Cost per credit: $1,651 in-state | $2,449 out of state
    Delivery Method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details

  7. The University of Texas at El Paso

    El Paso, Texas
    Program: Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security
    Credits: 15
    Cost per credit: $782
    Delivery Method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details

  8. University of North Texas

    Denton, Texas
    Program: Undergraduate Cybersecurity Certificate
    CAE designation: CAE-CD, CAE-R
    Credits: 27-28
    Cost per credit: $100 in-state | $916 out of state
    Delivery Method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details

  9. University of Texas at Dallas

    Richardson, Texas
    Program: Cybersecurity Systems Certificate
    CAE designation: CAE-CD, CAE-CO, CAE-R
    Credits: 12
    Cost per credit: $1,000
    Delivery Method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details

  10. University of Texas at El Paso

    El Paso, Texas
    Program: Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security
    CAE designation: CAE-CD, CAE-CO
    Credits: 15
    Cost per credit: $503 in-state | $1,040 out of state
    Delivery Method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details
Learn more about professional certifications

Certificate programs may be useful for professionals adding security responsibilities to an existing IT role, degree holders seeking graduate-level cybersecurity coursework, or beginners who want focused training before committing to a longer program.

Before enrolling, students should confirm whether certificate credits can be applied toward a related associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree. They should also check whether the curriculum prepares them for an external certification exam or merely covers similar subject matter.

Frequently asked questions about cybersecurity degrees in Texas

What are the best cybersecurity schools in Texas?

The strongest programs are the NSA-designated Centers of Academic Excellence. The University of Texas at San Antonio holds all three CAE designations (Cyber Defense, Cyber Operations, and Research), Texas A&M holds Cyber Defense and Cyber Operations designations, and UT Dallas runs one of the state’s deeper technical faculties. Beyond those flagships, Sam Houston State, Angelo State, Our Lady of the Lake, and SMU all carry CAE Cyber Defense status. The best choice depends on your target city and career lane.

What are the best cybersecurity programs in San Antonio?

San Antonio is the center of gravity for cyber in Texas. The University of Texas at San Antonio is the standout, holding all three NSA CAE designations and running the National Security Collaboration Center with federal and industry partners. St. Mary’s University and Our Lady of the Lake University offer master’s programs, and San Antonio College and St. Philip’s College provide CAE-designated associate and transfer pathways. Studying here puts you next to NSA Texas, the Sixteenth Air Force, USAA, and Rackspace.

Are there good cybersecurity programs near me in Dallas, Austin, or Houston?

Yes. In Dallas-Fort Worth, UT Dallas, Southern Methodist University, and the University of Dallas anchor the region, feeding security teams at USAA, RTX, and Lockheed Martin. Austin students draw on the University of Texas at Austin and Austin Community College for a startup and product-security market led by Dell, Oracle, and Tesla. Houston options include the University of Houston-Downtown and San Jacinto College, well positioned for the energy sector’s operational technology security needs.

How much do cybersecurity professionals make in Texas?

Information Security Analysts in Texas earn a mean annual wage of $119,480, with top earners clearing roughly $167,000. That runs slightly below the national median of $124,910, but Texas has no state income tax and lower housing costs across most metros, so real take-home stretches further. Cleared federal and defense roles in San Antonio typically pay a premium.

Does a Texas cybersecurity degree need to be from a CAE school?

It is not strictly required, but it helps, especially for federal and cleared defense work. The NSA and DHS Center of Academic Excellence designation is the most portable quality signal in the field, and hiring pipelines around San Antonio’s NSA Texas and Sixteenth Air Force are built around CAE graduates. For corporate roles in Dallas or Austin, demonstrated skills and certifications can matter as much as the designation.

Is Texas a good state for a cybersecurity career?

Texas is one of the strongest markets in the country. The state’s cyber workforce demand grew 307.1 percent between 2010 and 2025, ahead of the national 240.8 percent, and stood at 42,559 openings in 2025. With San Antonio’s federal cluster, Dallas-Fort Worth finance and defense, Austin tech, and Houston energy, Texas offers more distinct career lanes than almost any other state.

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