Updated
10/09/2023
In today’s world, with our growing dependence on technology and online platforms for communication, purchases, and sensitive data storage, it’s not surprising that cyberattacks are becoming more frequent and risky. To address and prevent these attacks, companies, governments, and other organizations require well-trained cybersecurity experts. To meet this demand, many institutions now provide convenient and affordable online degrees in cybersecurity.
If you’re interested in becoming a cybersecurity expert, but are concerned about what it might cost, you’ve come to the right place. This guide will help you explore accredited universities that offer the most affordable online cybersecurity programs and find other ways to lower the cost of your college education.
Most Affordable Online Cybersecurity Degrees in 2024
Choosing the right online cybersecurity degree program can help you reach your professional goals, and a key factor is finding a program you can afford. To help, we’ve developed a ranking list of accredited schools that offer a solid online education and are also very affordable. We created this list by looking at a combination of cost and quality characteristics provided by The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Click on the “About the ranking” button below to learn more about how we ranked these schools.
College Ranking Methodology
Generate List of Eligible Schools and Programs
To be eligible for this ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria based on government data provided by The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
- Institutional accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
- At least one program in the subject area offered partially or fully online.
- Career placement and academic counseling services.
- Maximum tuition of $15,000 per academic year
Assign Weightings
After generating the list of eligible schools, the STEPS data team then assigned weights and ranked schools based on their performance in a variety of key categories. Affordability metrics received the heaviest weightings.
Affordability
- Relative cost of attendance compared to peer schools on the list. Based on in-state tuition for undergraduate students per academic year.
- Percentage of students who receive institutional financial aid (directly from the school)
- Average amount of institutional financial aid awarded.
Online Learning
- Number of online programs in subject area self-reported by school to the U.S. Department of Education.
- Percentage of students at the school taking at least one class online.
Academic Quality
- Student-to-faculty ratio
- Percentage of full-time, first-time students graduating within 6 years.
About Our Data
All STEPS rankings use the latest official data available from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Most recent data pull: August 2023
Accreditation Glossary
ABHE: Association for Biblical Higher Education, Commission on Accreditation
ABHES: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools
ACCJC: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
ACCSC: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges
DEAC: Distance Education Accrediting Commission
HLC: Higher Learning Commission
MSCHE: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
NECHE: New England Commission of Higher Education
NWCCU: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
SACSCOC: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
TRACS: Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, Accreditation Commission
WSCUC: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
1
Tucson, Arizona
The Master of Science in Cybersecurity from the University of Arizona is entirely online and is designed for working professionals who want to gain technical mastery in the rapidly growing field of cybersecurity. Students will complete a core set of courses and then choose from two tracks: Information Systems or Physical Systems. Course topics include business intelligence data mining, information security, risk management, systems security management, penetration testing, network security, and system cybersecurity engineering. Core courses and the courses in the Information Systems track are offered in an 8-week accelerated format, whereas the Physical Systems track is given in a traditional 16-week format. To apply, students must have at least three years of work experience.
Program Highlights:
Master of Science in Cybersecurity
- Credits: 33
- Length: 1.5+ years
- Cost: $1,332/credit
- Mode: Online
- Accreditation: WSCUC
2
Cedar City, Utah
Southern Utah University is helping to fill the global cybersecurity workforce gap by offering students a Master of Science in Cybersecurity with Information Assurance that has two available tracks — Cybersecurity Strategy and Management. Both tracks are available entirely online and can be completed in as few as 12 months. The program has multiple start dates throughout the year and focuses on network security, cyberlaw, risk management, compliance, and policies. Near the end of their studies, students will have the opportunity to complete a thesis or capstone internship. Example courses in the Cybersecurity Strategy track include Incident Response Preparedness, Cyber Security and Enterprise Frameworks, and Cyber Security Auditing.
Program Highlights:
Master of Science in Cybersecurity with Information Assurance
- Credits: 30
- Length: 12+ months
- Cost: $14,550 tuition
- Mode: Online
- Accreditation: NWCCU
3
Saint Louis, Missouri
The University of Missouri--St. Louis has been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) in Cyber Defense Education by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This means that the rigorous curricula in both its Bachelor of Science and accelerated Master of Science in Cybersecurity are designed with quality in mind. Both are available 100% online, with evening courses available for students nearby. The bachelor's degree focuses on applied aspects of cybersecurity and is suitable for students interested in pursuing cybersecurity management and analyst roles in industry and government. Undergraduate students can take up to four graduate courses in their final two years of school if they intend to pursue the M.S. in Cybersecurity. The graduate courses will count toward both the bachelor's and master's degrees.
Program Highlights:
Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity - Information Systems and Technology emphasis
- Credits: 123
- Length: 4 years
- Cost: $541/credit (resident), $1,255/credit (non-resident)
- Mode: Online
- Accreditation: AACSB
Accelerated Master of Science in Cybersecurity
- Credits: BS in Cybersecurity + 18 credits (141 total)
- Length: 2 semesters after BS
- Cost: $769/credit (resident), $1,615/credit (non-resident)
- Mode: Online
- Accreditation: AACSB
4
Kingston, Rhode Island
5
Springfield, Illinois
6
Highland Heights, Kentucky
7
Morgantown, West Virginia
8
Newark, Delaware
9
Princess Anne, Maryland
10
Augusta, Maine
11
Auburn, Alabama
12
Rolla, Missouri
13
Columbia, Missouri