The spread of cybersecurity threats endanger national security and destabilize the operations of organizations that depend on the transmission and protection of data. Cybercrime affects government agencies, healthcare facilities, commercial enterprises, and financial institutions. The reliance on mobile devices and laptops for purchases and personal banking has led to an epidemic of identity theft and credit card fraud.
As a result of these mounting security breaches, cybercrime specialists now rank among the most sought-after information technology professionals. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment in computer and information technology positions to grow 13% between 2016 and 2026, much higher than the average for all U.S. occupations. These professionals earn a median annual wage of $86,320, which ranks significantly above the average salary across all professions. An online cybersecurity degree leads to well-paying employment opportunities, offering high job security for database managers, security architects, risk assessors, and systems administrators and analysts.
An online cybersecurity bachelor’s degree teaches you how to protect information on computer networks, cloud servers, hardware and software programs, and mobile devices. Graduates of online cybersecurity degree programs also acquire a strong foundation for advanced training at the master’s and doctoral levels.
| Rank | School Name | School Logo | City | Cost | Address & Contact Info | School Links | Acclaim for Online Programs | School Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colorado State University Global | Aurora | $$$$$ | 585 Salida Way Aurora, CO 80011 (800) 920-6723 | School Website | Colorado State University-Global Campus offers career-focused online degrees designed for working adults. Their fully online undergraduate programs feature self-paced, asynchronous classes, accelerated plans of study, and monthly start dates. Both the bachelor of science in technology and the bachelor of science in management information systems and business analytics feature cybersecurity specializations. These online cybersecurity degree programs require a total of 120 credits including 15 credits in cybersecurity courses. Students choosing this specialization must take five classes in cybersecurity and digital crime, ethical hacking and penetration testing, digital forensics and investigations, and legal and ethical issues related to access control, user privacy, and policy implications. CSU Global's flexible transfer policy allows students to transfer up to 30 credits from previously attended colleges or 60 credits from alternative sources such work experience, military training, or prior learning experiences. The university guarantees admission to graduates of associate degree programs from accredited community colleges. Colorado State University holds regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). | ||
| 2 | Regent University | Virginia Beach | $$$$$ | 1000 Regent University Dr Virginia Beach, VA 23464 (757) 352-4127 | School Profile | Students at Regent University may choose from over 135 areas of study in traditional and distance education formats, all anchored in a Christian perspective. The bachelor of science in cyber and digital forensics, delivered entirely online in eight-week sessions, requires 120 credits. The curriculum includes 49 credits in general education courses, 52 credits in criminal justice and forensics courses, and 21 elective credits. Courses in the major introduce students to operating system forensics, malware forensics, mobile forensics, and cybercrime and digital investigations. Regent accepts up to 90 credits in transfer. Adult learners may receive credit from prior coursework at regionally accredited schools, military or work experience, and approved entrance exams. Regent participates in transfer articulation agreements with several community colleges that allow associate degree holders to waive the general education requirements required for the baccalaureate degree. Transfer students from the Virginia Community College System may qualify for a tuition grant up to $2,000. Regent is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). | ||
| 3 | Excelsior College | Albany | $$$$$ | 7 Columbia Cir Albany, NY 12203-5159 (518) 464-8500 | School Profile | Excelsior College, established in Albany, New York in 1971, is a distance learning institution offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs for nontraditional adult learners, with an emphasis on serving historically underrepresented groups in higher education. Its bachelor of science in information technology program offers three concentrations, including a cybersecurity technology specialization. This fully online 120-credit cybersecurity degree requires 60 credits in arts and sciences foundations, and 12 in open electives. Students complete 48 credits in major courses in information technology. Students in the cybersecurity technology concentration learn to use tools and techniques for protecting information assets in many organizational settings. The curriculum covers computer forensics, cyberattacks and defenses, business continuity, network and application security, and organizational information security. Excelsior accepts transfer credits from a variety of sources, up to 117 hours with no time limits. Students receive course credit for military and work experience and college-level subject matter examinations. The college is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). | ||
| 4 | Hallmark University | San Antonio | $$$$$ | 10401 IH 10 W San Antonio, TX 78230-1736 (210) 690-9000232 | School Profile | Texas-based Hallmark University uses a compressed objective-driven course model. This distinctive structure enables students to complete an undergraduate degree in nearly half the time needed for a similar program at a traditional college or university. Hallmark maintains its commitment to affordability by wrapping the cost of books into its tuition Because degree requirements can be completed in as little as 28 months, students save money by moving more quickly into careers. Hallmark's bachelor of science in cybersecurity, available entirely online in eight-week terms offered six times a year, prepares graduates for professional roles as security analysts, security engineers, forensic computer analysts, and security systems administrators. Coursework in this career-focused major includes database management, cryptography and computer security, and hacking and countermeasures. Students may take advantage of the opportunity to earn industry certifications while completing the degree, including Security+, CCENT, and Certified Ethical Hacker credentials. Hallmark University holds nationally accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). | ||
| 5 | Drexel University | Philadelphia | $$$$$ | 3141 Chestnut St Philadelphia, PA 19104 (215) 895-2000 | School Website | Founded in 1861, Drexel University has offered online degree programs since 1996. Drexel currently provides over 140 accelerated degree and certificate programs in web-based formats. The bachelor of science in computing and security technology is designed for information technology professionals seeking career advancement, and for working adults who have already completed an associate degree or two years of college work. The concentration in computer security includes career-focused coursework in the fundamentals of computer forensics, network security, access control and intrusion detection technology, and security defense countermeasures. The online cybersecurity bachelor's degree program requires a total of 180 quarter credits. Drexel University holds regional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). | ||
| 6 | Old Dominion University | Norfolk | $$$$$ | 5115 Hampton Blvd Norfolk, VA 23529 (757) 683-3000 | School Profile | Recognized as a pioneer in distance learning, Virginia-based Old Dominion University offers more than 100 online academic programs. ODU offers a bachelor of science in cybercrime as a degree-completion program, delivered in both asynchronous and synchronous formats. Some online courses require live meetings scheduled at fixed times. The 120-credit-hour degree program features an interdisciplinary approach that combines studies in the liberal arts and sciences with courses in criminal justice, computer engineering, information technology, and related areas. Major coursework introduces students to digital forensics, principles of information technology, and cyber law. The program encourages students to gain practical experience by completing an internship. ODU offers prospective students a free transfer evaluation to ensure that the maximum number of credits count toward the bachelor's degree. Active duty military personnel and veterans may qualify for an undergraduate tuition discount and credit for military training experience. ODU is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). | ||
| 7 | George Mason University | Fairfax | $$$$$ | 4400 University Dr Fairfax, VA 22030 (703) 993-1000 | School Website | Virginia-based George Mason University offers over 50 hybrid and fully online programs through its office of digital learning, Mason Online. Mason's fully online bachelor of science with a concentration in cybersecurity, designed for nontraditional adult learners and information technology professionals, requires 120-126 credits, including 24 credits dedicated to coursework in cybersecurity. The concentration features courses in computer crime, forensics, and auditing, security accreditation of information systems, and information security principles. The curriculum includes a capstone seminar that applies knowledge and skills gained from the coursework to practical, career-oriented activities. Graduates of Mason's online cybersecurity bachelor's degree program have obtained employment as cybersecurity analysts and technicians, computer systems analysts, and information security analysts. The cybersecurity concentration, offered in partnership with Volgenau School of Engineering, only admits graduates who have earned an associate of applied science degree from Northern Virginia Community College or Lord Fairfax Community College. George Mason University holds regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). | ||
| 8 | City University of Seattle | Seattle | $$$$$ | 521 Wall Street, Suite 100 Seattle, WA 98121 (800) 426-5596 | School Profile | City University of Seattle, affiliated with the National University System, offers professional and terminal degrees for working adults and transfer students at numerous campus locations worldwide and online. Developed with the input of security industry leaders and IT hiring managers, the bachelor of science in cybersecurity and information assurance equips its graduates with up-to-date knowledge and practical skills required in the workplace. The government, risk management, and compliance core introduces students to cyber and surveillance law, enterprise risk management, and IT compliance. The core in cybersecurity technology emphasizes network security, information systems and security, and penetration testing tools and techniques. The fully online, 180-credit curriculum features a unique culminating capstone that focuses on organizational pathologies and ways to improve efficient, effective, and lawful delivery of goods and services. City University of Seattle is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). CityU also has been designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education by the National Security Agency and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. | ||
| 9 | Saint Leo University | Saint Leo | $$$$$ | 33701 State Road 52 Saint Leo, FL 33574-6665 (352) 588-8200 | School Profile | As one of the largest Catholic sponsored schools in the U.S., Saint Leo University owes much of its growth to the expansion of its online offerings. The university sponsors more than 80 academic programs designed especially for adult distance learners. The 120-credit online bachelor of science in cybersecurity delivers coursework in asynchronous and synchronous formats, in web-based classes and virtual labs. Coursework in the major explores principles of cybersecurity, various computer and network protection controls, penetration testing and ethical hacking, and the implementation and maintenance of security devices, systems, procedures, and countermeasures. The curriculum places a strong emphasis on computer programming skills providing training in Java, C, and C++. Saint Leo's cybersecurity program has received recognition by the National Security Administration and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education. The university also is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). | ||
| 10 | Pennsylvania State University - World Campus | University Park | $$$$$ | President's Office 201 Old Main University Park, PA 16802 (814) 865-5403 | School Website | Pennsylvania State University launched its online education division, World Campus, in 1998. The university currently offers more than 150 online programs at the undergraduate and graduate level. Penn State's online bachelor of science in security and risk analysis features an information and cybersecurity option. The curriculum relies on an entirely asynchronous delivery format through the Canvas learning management system. Graduates of this online cybersecurity bachelor's degree learn how to design secure systems, evaluate and measure risk, and maintain and protect privacy for individual technology users, government, businesses, and other organizations. Coursework in the information and cybersecurity option covers the theories, skills, and technologies associated with network security, information warfare, cyberthreat defense, and critical infrastructure protection. Penn State's cybersecurity-related programs have received recognition by the National Security Agency and U.S. Department of Homeland Security as a Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) in Information Assurance and Cyber Defense. The university is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). |