Most Affordable Cybersecurity Programs Online: Finding a Low-Cost School

Considering our growing dependence on technology and online platforms for communication, purchases, and storage of sensitive data, it’s not surprising that cyberattacks are becoming more sophisticated and more frequent. To address and prevent these attacks, companies, governments, and other organizations require highly trained cybersecurity experts.

If cybersecurity is a field that intrigues you, you’ll be glad to know that earning your degree doesn’t have to break the bank. This guide will help you explore accredited universities that offer the most affordable online cybersecurity programs, discover other ways to lower the cost of your college education, and obtain the credentials necessary to enter this well-paying, high-demand field.

Author: Karen A. Brudnak

Editor: Linda Armstrong

Updated: 04/17/2025

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Affordable Online Cyber Security Degrees

An online degree has built-in options for saving money. If you’re studying online, you don’t have to move across the state or across the country to attend school on campus. You can complete your studies wherever you live now. What’s more, some universities have lower tuition rates for online classes, and others eliminate fees that only apply to on-campus programs. You’ll even save on transportation costs, since you won’t be driving to campus and paying for parking (not to mention buying that overpriced cappuccino along the way).

Affordable Associate’s Degree: Sacramento City College

The 60- to 61-credit Cybersecurity and Information Assurance Associate Degree at Sacramento City College is designed to be completed in two years, providing a strong foundation for your first job in cybersecurity. With courses such as Introduction to Networks; Switching, Routing, and Wireless Essentials; Disaster Recovery; and Ethical Hacking, you’ll quickly be immersed in the world of cyber security.

Tuition and Fees: If you’re a resident of California, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. Tuition at Sacramento City College is just $46/unit. Fees are minimal as well, with a $2 student representation fee and a $20 health services fee. If you don’t live in California, tuition is still affordable, coming in at $472/unit.

Financial Aid: The good news keeps with financial aid options. The Los Rios Promise Program, sometimes called the California Promise, is designed to remove financial barriers so that all students can pursue higher education. The program has no income requirements and covers resident tuition and enrollment fees. You’ll need to enroll in at least 12 units and maintain a 2.0 GPA to continue to receive funding. Eligibility covers two consecutive award years. The school also offers the West Sacramento Promise program plus grants, scholarships, veterans’ benefits, and work-study jobs.

Additional Costs: If paying for textbooks puts college out of reach, the Textbook Voucher program is available. Students with financial need who are enrolled in a three-unit course can get up to $150 for required textbooks.

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Affordable Bachelor’s Degree: St. Petersburg College

The real-world focus of the Cybersecurity Bachelor of Applied Science program at St. Petersburg College will prepare you with the knowledge and technical skills you need to tackle the toughest security issues. You’ll be equipped to work as a systems security analyst, cyber defense analyst, or director of information security. The program requires 120 credits and is fully online.

Tuition and Fees: Florida residents pay $111.75/credit for lower division courses and $122.70/credit for upper division courses. Online courses incur a $15/credit distance learning fee. Out-of-state residents pay $386.90/credit for lower division courses and $425.79/credit for upper division courses.

Financial Aid: St. Petersburg College offers the full range of financial aid options. Once you file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, you’ll find out if you qualify for federal grants, loans, and work-study. Your next step is to investigate scholarships offered by the school, including the Presidential Scholarship, the Dr. Johnnie Ruth Clarke Scholarship, and the SPC Promise Scholarship. The St. Petersburg College tuition payment plan allows you to make monthly payments with no interest.

Additional Costs: You can cut costs by getting credit for your knowledge and experience. The experiential learning program offers the opportunity to earn college credits based on your real-world knowledge and life experience, including industry certifications and military training. You can also take one of several exams, such as the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and advanced placement tests, to earn credit for what you already know.

Affordable Master’s Degree: Norfolk State University

The Master of Science in Cybersecurity at Norfolk State University is focused on preparing leaders who can design and manage security systems that keep data safe. Coursework is 100% online, but the program provides easy access to faculty and advisors. Students participate in cybersecurity research as part of a capstone project. This 36-credit program takes two to three years to complete.

Tuition and Fees: For in-state graduate students, tuition runs $789/credit. You’ll have fees to pay as well, from the student orientation fee of $100 to the late registration fee, which is also $100. Out-of-state graduate students pay $1,519/credit. Current members of the military receive in-state tuition, and Norfolk State employees and senior citizens may qualify to take classes at no cost.

Financial Aid: Norfolk State University offers scholarships, grants, student employment, and loans to help cover the cost of your master’s degree. There’s also a dedicated scholarship site called Scholarship Universe where you can see which scholarships are a match for you.

Additional Costs: For any online degree program, you’ll need a reliable computer and Internet service. At times you may also need access to a printer.

Lowering the Cost of Your Online Cyber Security Degree

Tuition for a degree in cybersecurity can be expensive. Fortunately, you have options for how to make the most of your financial aid so earning your degree is more affordable. Below are a few of our favorite tips.

1. Apply for Scholarships, Grants, and Fellowships

One of the most common ways to lower the cost of your cybersecurity degree is through scholarships, grants, and fellowships for cybersecurity students. These are popular because they don’t have to be paid back and are often awarded based on merit, financial need, or both. CyberCorps: Scholarship for Service Program is an example of these types of awards.

2. Ask About Employer Tuition Reimbursement

Cybersecurity is a quickly evolving field, so cybersecurity employers understand the value of continuing education. That’s why many employers such as the National Security Agency help their employees pay for additional training. Employers differ in how they implement these programs, with some directly paying for an employee’s tuition and others offering fellowships to eligible employees. Keep in mind that some employers place certain conditions on tuition reimbursement, including requiring employees to continue working for them for a set period of time.

3. Investigate Public Service Loan Forgiveness

The government plays a significant role in how cyberthreats and security concerns are addressed, and many graduates of cybersecurity programs find employment with federal agencies. One benefit of working for the government is potential eligibility for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, which allows eligible students working in a public service job to have any remaining student loan debt forgiven after making 120 qualified monthly payments.

4. Check Out Work-Study Options

Work-study is an often-overlooked form of financial aid. While it doesn’t need to be paid back, students must work to earn this financial aid assistance. The primary work-study option is the Federal Work-Study program. The type of work varies, but schools try to give students jobs in fields related to their areas of study or that otherwise contribute to their education.

5. Seek Paid Internships

One of the best ways to enhance your cybersecurity educational experience is to gain real-world exposure to the cyberdefense field. Internships are a great way to do this. Many internships are unpaid, but a good number include a respectable income. One prominent example is the paid internship at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

Factors Impacting the Affordability of Your Online Cyber Security Program

Learning about a cybersecurity program’s tuition rate gives you a starting point as to how much your degree will cost. However, many other factors influence the total dollar amount of your degree. We’ve identified five notable factors below that may impact the total cost of your online degree.

Accelerated Learning Options

Although most bachelor’s degrees require approximately four years of full-time study, some online cybersecurity bachelor’s degree programs offer accelerated curriculums and generous transfer policies, allowing students to graduate much earlier—resulting in significant cost savings.

Type of School

Post-secondary institutions are either private or public. Private schools usually have higher tuition costs compared with public schools, but they may also offer more scholarships. Public schools are generally more affordable, particularly for students who are residents of the state where the institution is located. Check out both types of schools to find your best option.

In-State Residency

Public schools may be less expensive than private schools, at least with respect to tuition rates, but that’s usually only the case when a student is taking classes as an in-state student. Often, the cost of attending a public college or university as a nonresident is roughly equal to the tuition of a private institution. Online programs can be an exception, though, as some offer the same tuition regardless of residency.

Availability of Financial Aid

An abundance of financial aid options are available to students pursuing cybersecurity degrees, including private scholarships, state and federal grants, and subsidized federal student loans. Choosing a school with a strong financial aid office can result in access to more financial aid options. Additionally, many institutions offer exclusive scholarships to their students, which can significantly reduce overall costs.

Education Fees and Added Costs

Tuition is typically the biggest number you see when checking the cost information of a potential school. But remember, you’ll almost always encounter additional fees, which can easily double your tuition rate. Schools use various terms to describe these fees, which can include technology fees, health service fees, books and supplies, and activity fees.

Ranking the Most Affordable Online Cyber Security Degrees

You may be wondering how our rankings system works and why some schools rise to the top. Here’s a quick look at what happens behind the scenes. (If you’d like to know more, the “About the Rankings” link provides additional details.)

Some of the biggest factors that impact the rankings are the school’s accreditation, availability of online programs and student participation, availability of academic counseling and career placement services, and tuition. We also weigh student retention rate, student-to-faculty ratio, and graduation rate. Below are the two-year and four-year schools with the highest rankings.

2-year Schools 4-year Schools