Most Affordable Online Cybersecurity Degrees in 2023
Earning your bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity online doesn’t have to break the bank. Find affordable, accredited programs from top schools and other ways to cut college costs in this guide.
Last Updated: 04/27/2023
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 bachelor’s 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 Bachelor’s Degrees in 2023
Choosing the right cybersecurity 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 like those 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.
Methodology for STEPS Most Affordable College Rankings
Step #1: Create Universe of Eligible Colleges
To be eligible for this ranking, colleges 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.
- Program(s) in subject area offered at least partially online.
Step #2: Assign Weightings and Rank Colleges Based on Scores in Key Areas
After creating the list of eligible colleges, STEPS’ data science team assigned weightings and ranked colleges based on a combination of affordability, online learning availability, and student support performance metrics. Affordability metrics received the heaviest weightings.
Affordability
- Cost:Relative cost of attendance compared to peer schools on the list. Based on tuition and fees per academic year.
- Students w/ Institutional Aid:Percentage of students who receive financial aid directly from the school.
Online Program Availability
- Number of online programs in subject area reported by school to the U.S. Department of Education.
Student Support Services
- Academic Counseling:Existence of this service on campus or online.
- Career Placement:Existence of this service on campus or online.
About Our College Rankings Data
Each ranking on STEPS utilizes the latest data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), which colleges and universities across the country self-report via surveys from the U.S. Department of Education.
Accreditation Glossary
ABHE: Association for Biblical Higher Education, Commission on Accreditation
ATS: Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools
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
Central Washington University is a leader in online education with robust undergraduate and graduate online degree offerings. Students interested in a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity have two options. The Bachelor of Science, Cybersecurity Specialization is designed for students who already have a transferrable associate degree and who want to earn their degrees fully online or in a hybrid format but don’t mind some on-campus coursework. The Bachelor of Applied Science, Cybersecurity Specialization is available in both 100% and partially online and is intended for incoming students with a nontransferable associate degree. Both tracks have curriculums designed to teach as much practical knowledge as possible in addition to the theoretical principles and concepts necessary to succeed in a cybersecurity career. Students also develop business and management expertise to help them apply their technical knowledge in an industry setting.
Program Highlights:
Bachelor of Science – Cybersecurity Specialization
- Credits: 94-98
- Length: Varies
- Cost: $6,475/year (in-state); $10,779/year (Western Undergraduate Exchange); $22,551/year (out-of-state)
- Format: Fully online or hybrid
- Accreditation: NCCU (school)
Bachelor of Applied Science – Cybersecurity Specialization
- Credits: 70-72
- Length: Approximately 2 years
- Cost: $6,475/year (in-state); $10,779/year (Western Undergraduate Exchange); $22,551/year (out-of-state)
- Format: Fully online
- Accreditation: NCCU (school)
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Institutional Aid64%
Columbia Southern University’s B.S. Information Systems and Cyber Security degree stands out because of the transfer options available. Students must earn 120 credits to graduate (42 electives, 30 general education, and 48 major courses), but they can transfer in up to 90 credits. This generous transfer policy allows you to earn your cybersecurity degree in as little as one year if you already have a bachelor’s degree or significant undergraduate credit.
Classes are asynchronous through LifePace Learning, which allows you to start or end your classes at any time and to complete class requirements at your own pace. There’s also Term Enrollment that allows you to self-pace but that has set start and end dates for each class, which last about nine weeks.
Program Highlights:
Bachelor of Science – Information Systems and Cyber Security
- Credits: 120
- Length: Varies
- Cost: $235/credit
- Format: Fully online
- Accreditation: DEAC (school)
CounselingYes
PlacementNo
Institutional Aid68%
Bellevue University optimized its Bachelor of Science Cybersecurity Degree, available in online accelerated or cohort formats, for those who already have a bachelor’s degree or are eligible for transfer credit due to military experience and training. The cohort option allows you to complete preselected courses with the same classmates throughout the program. Bellevue University’s Cybersecurity Bachelor’s Degree is also designated by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE). Other cybersecurity areas emphasized include Protect and Defend, Securely Provision, and Oversee and Govern. Students can also use the two elective courses to choose their own area of emphasis.
Program Highlights:
Bachelor of Science – Cybersecurity
- Credits: 127
- Length: Varies
- Cost: $430/credit
- Format: Fully online
- Accreditation: HLC (school)
CounselingYes
PlacementNo
Institutional Aid78%
The Information Technology and Cybersecurity Bachelor of Science program at Baker College is in an asynchronous online learning format tailored for working students. There are many financial aid resources available, and over 85% of students receive some form of financial aid that includes grants and scholarships. In addition, Baker College has received the National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE) from the Department of Homeland Security and the National Security Agency, making this an exceptionally high-quality program.
Baker College cybersecurity bachelors emphasize technology coursework. Of the 120 credits needed to graduate, only 30 are in general education. The remaining credits are split between information technology and security (72 credits) and information assurance and cybersecurity (18 credits).
Program Highlights:
Bachelor of Science – Information Technology and Cybersecurity
- Credits: 120
- Length: Approximately 4 years
- Cost: $425/credit
- Format: Fully online
- Accreditation: HLC (school)
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Institutional Aid88%
The Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity program at the University of Maine Fort Kent is fully online with coursework offered in both synchronous and asynchronous formats. Special emphasis on hands-on learning opportunities better teaches students how information technology, cybersecurity, and information assurance strategies work from technological, management, and societal perspectives. Students take courses in core subjects like Introduction to Computer Science, Databases, Operating Systems Security, Cyber Defense, and Introduction to Programming. They can customize their curriculum by choosing from electives that include Computer Forensics and Investigations, Information Assurance – Policy, Law, Compliance and Governance, and Cryptography. Students use classwork to create a unique Cybersecurity Portfolio. This cybersecurity program has been recognized by the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security as a Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance/Cyber Defense.
Program Highlights:
Bachelor of Science –Cybersecurity
- Credits: 123
- Length: Approximately four years
- Cost: $245/credit (in-state); $392/credit (out-of-state)
- Format: Fully online
- Accreditation: NECHE (school)
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Institutional Aid71%
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Institutional Aid59%
CounselingYes
PlacementNo
Institutional Aid52%
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Institutional Aid70%
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Institutional Aid48%
CounselingYes
PlacementNo
Institutional Aid50%
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Institutional Aid17%
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Institutional Aid62%
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Institutional Aid32%
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Institutional Aid6%
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Institutional Aid83%
CounselingYes
PlacementNo
Institutional Aid0%
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Institutional Aid86%
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Institutional Aid63%
CounselingYes
PlacementNo
Institutional Aid12%
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Institutional Aid50%
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Institutional Aid16%
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Institutional Aid91%
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Institutional Aid88%
CounselingYes
PlacementNo
Institutional Aid0%
CounselingYes
PlacementNo
Institutional Aid32%
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Institutional Aid15%
CounselingYes
PlacementNo
Institutional Aid16%
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Institutional Aid11%
CounselingYes
PlacementNo
Institutional Aid21%
CounselingYes
PlacementNo
Institutional Aid0%
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Institutional Aid0%
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Institutional Aid0%
5 Ways to Lower the Cost of Your Online Cybersecurity Degree
Tuition for a bachelor’s in criminal justice can be expensive. Fortunately, there are many ways to make earning a degree more affordable. We discuss a few of those ways below and encourage you to utilize as many as possible to make getting your degree easier and less of a drain on your bank account.
1
Apply to scholarships, grants, and fellowships created for cybersecurity students.
One of the most common ways to lower the cost of your cybersecurity bachelor’s degree is through scholarships, grants, and fellowships. 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. Find out about additional grant, scholarship, and fellowship opportunities through prospective schools, our financial aid guide, and this list of cybersecurity scholarships.
2
Employer Tuition Reimbursement
Cybersecurity is a quickly evolving field, so cybersecurity employers understand the value of continuing education. That’s why many employers like 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. Most common is asking employees to continue working for them for a set period of time.
3
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
National governments play a significant role in how cyber threats and security concerns are addressed, and many graduates of cybersecurity programs find employment with government agencies. One benefit of working for the government after graduation is potential eligibility for public service loan forgiveness. Specifically, the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program allows eligible students working in a public service job to enjoy forgiveness of any remaining student loan debt after 120 qualified monthly payments are made. Learn more about PSLF financial aid programs.
4
Work-Study
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 provide civil education.
5
Paid Internships
One of the best ways to enhance your cybersecurity educational experience is to gain real-world exposure to the cyber defense field. One way to do this is through internships. Many internships are unpaid, but a good number have a respectable income. One prominent example in the cybersecurity field is the paid internship at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.
What Affects the Cost of an Online Cybersecurity Degree?
Learning about a cybersecurity program’s tuition rate gives you a starting point as to how much your degree will cost. There are many other factors, however, that 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, many online cybersecurity bachelor’s degree programs offer accelerated curriculums and generous transfer policies, allowing students to graduate much earlier. Some accelerated programs can even reduce the time required to earn a bachelor’s degree by one or two years, resulting in significant cost savings.
Type of School
Post-secondary institutions are either private or public. Private schools usually have higher tuition costs compared to public schools. Public schools, however, are generally more affordable, particularly for students who are residents of the state where the institution is located, as much of their funding comes from state-based government aid.
In-State Residency
Public schools may be less expensive than private schools, at least with respect to tuition rates, but that is 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 non-resident is roughly equal to the tuition of private post-secondary institutions.
Financial Aid Availability
There is an abundance of financial aid options available to students pursuing a cybersecurity bachelor’s degree, including private scholarships, state grants, and subsidized federal student loans. Some schools are particularly noteworthy for their financial aid programs because they provide superior assistance to students in accessing available financial aid sources. Additionally, many institutions offer exclusive scholarships to their students, which can significantly reduce overall costs.
Education Fees and Added Costs
Tuition cost is typically the biggest number you see when checking the tuition and financial aid information of a potential school. It’s important to realize that there are almost always additional fees that can easily double a tuition rate. Schools use various terms to describe these fees, but they range from technology fees to health fees to books and supplies.