Do your passwords look like jumbled combinations of numbers, letters, and special characters? Are you hoping to crack the code on your career path? The following 20 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity train students to lead the counterattack on cybercrime. Each of the programs listed can be completed entirely or partially online.
Many of the following programs listed are designed as degree completion programs for students who already have relevant certifications or associate degrees. In any case, online education allows busy students to complete their education with flexibility and affordability. And since cybersecurity students will be exploring the mechanisms of a virtual world, virtual learning seems an excellent place to start.
Cybersecurity students learn to assess vulnerability, hack ethically, and take protective measures against cyberattacks. Individuals with bachelors' degrees in cybersecurity may go on to work as information security analysts. They may work for computer companies, consulting firms, government agencies, and beyond. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, information security analysts made a median salary of $98,350 in 2018. The demand for cybersecurity experts is growing speedily, at a rate of 28%. Analysts will need to find and implement innovative solutions for increasingly frequent and sophisticated attacks.
Featured Online Programs
Figuring out where to apply? These top, accredited schools offer a variety of online degrees. Consider one of these accredited programs, and discover their value today.
Top 20 Online Bachelors' Degrees in Cybersecurity
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Kennesaw State UniversityLocation
Kennesaw, GA
Tuition$17929
Kennesaw State University is home toBest Value Schools' top-ranked online bachelor's program in Cybersecurity. The Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity is a new, fully online program offered through the university's Cyber Institute. Course requirements include Hardware and Software Concepts, Incident Response and Contingency Planning, and Perimeter Defense. The curriculum culminates in a Cyber Defense capstone. Cybersecurity students will automatically earn a minor in Information Technology. Students may choose to pursue additional minors in Criminal Justice and Crisis Preparedness.
KSU is a public university with campuses in Kennesaw and Marietta, Georgia. It was initially founded in 1963 as a junior college. Today, it is the third-largest university in Georgia by student enrollment. It is also within the top 50 largest universities in the United States. KSU is also a member of the University System of Georgia, which the Carnegie Foundation classifies as a doctoral research institution with high research activity.
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Bellevue UniversityLocation
Bellevue, NE
Tuition$11359
Bellevue University offers a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity. The degree program can be completed entirely online. Students may choose an accelerated cohort option, which involves six nine-week course sessions. Required courses include Assessments and Audits; Cyber Investigations and Forensics; and Web, Commerce and Application Security. All Bellevue undergraduates must also complete the Kirkpatrick Signature Series of courses: American Vision and Values, Freedom and Responsibility, and Tradition and Change. The degree requires a total of 127 credits of study.
Bellevue University is a private, nonprofit university in Bellevue, Nebraska. Established in 1966, the university has always focused on adult education. Students can complete specific courses at learning locations on air force bases and community colleges across Nebraska and in Washington and Iowa. The university is a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance and Cybersecurity.
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Excelsior CollegeLocation
Albany, NY
Excelsior College provides an online Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity. Students can transfer credits for prior coursework or relevant professional or military experience. Students can follow a general concentration or concentrate in Cyber Operations. Core cybersecurity courses include Cyber Attacks and Defense, Data Communications and Networking, and Security-Focused Risk Management. The curriculum culminates in a capstone course and research project. The degree program prepares students for a variety of industry certification exams.
Excelsior is a private, nonprofit online college. Founded in 1971, it got its name from the state motto of New York. The college is headquartered in Albany, but it serves working adults worldwide through distance learning. It is particularly noted for its liberal acceptance of transfer credits. Excelsior is a Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense.
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Old Dominion UniversityLocation
Norfolk, VA
Tuition$15213
Old Dominion University offers a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity. It is designed for transfer students as an online degree completion program. Some courses are held live online regularly. The program offers courses in areas such as criminal justice, modeling and simulation engineering, and philosophy. All students must complete a cybersecurity internship or a course in Entrepreneurship in Cybersecurity. The curriculum culminates in an electronic portfolio project.
ODU is a public sea- and space-grant research university. It was established in 1930 as a division of the College of William & Mary. Located in Norfolk, Virginia, it has since grown into one of the largest universities in the state, measured by enrollment. The university operates the multidisciplinary Virginia Modeling, Analysis & Simulation Center. ODU is a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations.
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George Mason UniversityLocation
Fairfax, VA
Tuition$18629
George Mason University offers a Bachelor of Applied Science with a concentration in Cybersecurity. The degree program is only available to students graduating from select community colleges near the university with a cybersecurity degree or certificate. The BAS degree is designed to be completed entirely online. Courses are offered asynchronously so students can move through the material at their own pace. The BAS has three core requirements: Building Professional Competencies, Introduction to Research Methods, and an Applied Sciences capstone. Cybersecurity requirements include IT Architecture Fundamentals and IT in the Global Economy.
GMU began as a branch of the University of Virginia. It was established in 1949 and named after founding father George Mason. In addition to its four Virginia campus, GMU has an international school in South Korea. The research university has security experts who examine cyber, domestic, and global security.
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Norwich UniversityLocation
Northfield, VT
Tuition$23801
Norwich University offers a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity. Designed for working adults, the online program provides skills-based learning in a flexible virtual classroom. Students must transfer in at least 30 credits to enter the program. The curriculum includes foundational cybersecurity principles, electives, and project-based courses. Students can concentrate in Computer Forensics and Vulnerability Management or Information Warfare and Security Management. Students typically complete the degree program in 18 months.
Founded in 1819, Norwich University is the oldest private military college in the United States. Located in Northfield, Vermont, the college is recognized as the "Birthplace of ROTC" by the U.S. Department of Defense. While residency is not required of online students, Norwich offers students the opportunity to attend a culminating on-campus Residency Conference. The university is a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education.
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University of Maryland University CollegeLocation
Adelphi, MD
Tuition$15256
The University of Maryland University College provides a Bachelor of Science in Computer Networks and Cybersecurity. The online degree program allows students to focus on Cisco, digital forensics, Microsoft, or general network security. The curriculum begins with foundational information technology skills before focusing on network security. Students can expect to write a network design proposal and learn how to implement advanced server infrastructure and to troubleshoot IT problems. The program includes certifications for ethical hacking, Cisco network services, and more.
UMUC is a public university that focuses on online education. Established in 1947, the university evolved from a University of Maryland evening adult learning program. The University College is headquartered in Adelphi, Maryland. It also has a center in Largo, Maryland, and satellite campuses across the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area. UMUC is a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance and Cyber Defense Education.
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American Public University SystemLocation
Charles Town, WV
Tuition$10658
American Public University System offers a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity. The online program requires 120 credits of study and provides monthly course start times. Students may follow a general Cybersecurity program or concentrate in Wireless and Mobile Security. Major required courses include Biometrics, Ethics in Information Technology, and Scripting Languages for the Administrator.
APUS is a private, for-profit, online institution composed of American Military University and American Public University. It was founded in 1991 to educate military personnel in specialized areas such as counterterrorism and military intelligence. The school is not directly affiliated with the U.S. government or military. APUS is a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education.
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Western Governors UniversityLocation
Salt Lake City, UT
Western Governors University offers a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance. The online degree program was designed with input from industry professionals. The core curriculum explores topics such as Applied Algebra and Ethics in Technology. Key subject areas include Business of IT — Project Management and Information Systems Security. Students can expect to earn several relevant certifications before earning a BS degree, such as Certified Cloud Security Professional and Certified Internet Webmaster.
WGU is a private online university headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. It was first proposed by a former Utah governor and was officially established in 1997. The university uses a competency-based learning model instead of the traditional credit-based model. The United States Distance Learning Association has awarded WGU multiple 21st Century Awards for Best Practices in Distance Learning.
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Mercy CollegeLocation
Dobbs Ferry, NY
Tuition$16246
Mercy College offers a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity degree program. The program requires 120 credits of study, including 15 credits in residence on campus. The curriculum includes three foundation courses: Discrete Structures, Introduction to Cybersecurity, and Linux Administration. Major courses include Penetration Testing and Ethical Hacking and System Security. Elective offerings include Artificial Intelligence and Computer Architecture. Students may choose to earn both a BS and Master of Science degree in five years.
Mercy College is a private, nonsectarian college. Founded in 1950 by the Sisters of Mercy, the college was formerly affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church. It has a main campus in Dobbs Ferry, New York, and additional locations in the Bronx, Manhattan, and Yorktown Heights. The college is a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education.
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Utica CollegeLocation
Utica, NY
Tuition$21166
Utica College offers an online program leading to a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity. Qualified applicants must have an associate degree or have earned at least 57 credits from a four-year institution. A background in computer science is not required. The BS curriculum covers cyber operations, digital forensics, emergency management, fraud investigations, homeland security, and information assurance. Students can choose to specialize in Cybercrime and Fraud Investigation, Cyber Operations, Information Assurance, or Network Forensics and Intrusion Investigation. Students can earn their degree in three years of part-time study.
Utica College is a private university in Utica, New York. It began as an extension of Syracuse University. The college's BS in Cybersecurity program was developed through its Center for Identity Management and Information Protection. The research center focuses on the security of data, identity, and information. The college is a designated National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education and a National Center of Digital Forensics Academic Excellence.
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Champlain CollegeLocation
Burlington, VT
Tuition$37566
Champlain College offers a degree program leading to a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity. Designed for working professionals, the program is offered entirely online. It emphasizes hands-on problem-solving in a virtual lab environment. Most of the program's courses are offered in accelerated seven-week sessions, with six start dates per year. Course examples include Ethical Hacking, Mobile Security, and Wireless Networking. Students can earn a cybersecurity certificate before completing the degree. Certificates are available in three specialization areas: Computer Forensics & Digital Investigations, Computer Networking, or System Administration. The degree can be completed in as little as one year, depending on transfer credits and course load.
Champlain is a private college founded as a business school in 1878. Today, the college offers undergraduate programs on its campus in Burlington, Vermont, and online through Champlain College Online. It also has international campuses in Dublin, Ireland, and Montreal, Canada. Students gain an interdisciplinary academic foundation in the liberal arts and sciences. A global module is also required, in which students discuss important issues with students in other countries.
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Colorado Technical UniversityLocation
Colorado Springs, CO
Tuition$15888
Colorado Technical University offers a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity. The core curriculum covers contemporary topics in computer forensics, security assessment, software assurance, and vulnerability assessment. Students may choose to concentrate in Computer Systems Security or Information Assurance. Core major courses include Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Planning; Cloud Computing, Privacy and Security; and Scripting with Perl. Graduates may choose to sit for information technology certification exams.
Colorado Tech is a for-profit university with programs in business, management, and technology. The university is headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, but the majority of students are enrolled in a fully online capacity. The Department of Homeland Security and the National Security Agency recognize the university as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance and Cyber Defense.
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Syracuse UniversityLocation
Syracuse, NY
Tuition$35306
Syracuse University offers a 120-credit Bachelor of Professional Studies in Cybersecurity Administration. The degree program can be completed entirely online on a part-time basis. It delivers course content through interactive live sessions. Major courses include Leading Issues in Information Security for Professional Studies and Safeguarding Knowledge Management and Codification Data.
Syracuse is a private research university chartered in 1870 in Syracuse, New York. Although the university is historically associated with the United Methodist Church, it is now nonsectarian. The university has offered a BPS in Cybersecurity Administration since Fall 2018.Washington Monthlyranked Syracuse No. 41 in its 2018 national university rankings.
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Saint Leo UniversityLocation
St. Leo, FL
Tuition$20552
Saint Leo University awards a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity through its College of Business. The curriculum covers topics such as ethical hacking, network protection, and penetration testing. The program features a virtual lab including mock IT infrastructure, realistic case studies, and real-world software tools. Course examples include Computer Forensics, Disaster Recovery, and Homeland Defense.
Saint Leo was the first Roman Catholic college in the state. It is now one of the five largest Catholic colleges in the nation by student enrollment. Saint Leo was also one of the nation's first universities to offer distance learning opportunities. The school began educating military personnel in 1973 and is now the leading provider of education to military members, veterans, and families. The university is a designated National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education.
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Regis UniversityLocation
Denver, CO
Tuition$25615
Regis University offers a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity through its College of Computer & Information Sciences. The degree program builds skills in computer science, information systems, information technology, and software engineering. Courses are offered online in accelerated eight-week terms. Core courses include Data Structures, Intercultural Communication, and Systems Administration. Upper-division courses include Computation Theory, Digital Forensics, and History and Ethics of Computers.
Regis is a private Roman Catholic Jesuit university in Denver, Colorado. It was founded in 1877 by exiled Italian Jesuits. The university's College of Computer and Information Sciences offers many of its programs both on-campus and entirely online. It is a designated National Center for Excellence in Information Assurance Education by the National Security Agency and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
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Grand Canyon UniversityLocation
Phoenix, AZ
Tuition$20912
Grand Canyon University offers a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity through its College of Science, Engineering, & Technology. The technical program examines cybersecurity through a Christian worldview. It emphasizes real-world application and project management practice. The curriculum covers cyber ethics, cyber law, and defensive and offensive cybersecurity. This includes areas such as digital forensics, information assurance, security architecture, and wireless security. Online courses span seven weeks each. Most students complete the degree program in four years.
GCU is the largest Christian university in the world when measured by student enrollment. The private evangelical university was founded in 1949 by Arizona Southern Baptists. It is located on an urban campus in Phoenix, Arizona, about four hours from the Grand Canyon. The university's online programs are designed to accommodate working professionals. They offer frequent class starts.
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Maryville University of St. LouisLocation
Town and Country, MO
Tuition$30921
The Maryville University of St. Louis offers a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity. The degree program is designed to be completed entirely online, with no campus visits required. Students can choose from three tracks: Cybersecurity, Defensive Cyber Security, and Offensive Cyber Security. Core BS courses include Applied Operating Systems; Cyber Law, Policy, and Compliance; and Database Design. Students can expect to learn from real-world, contemporary case studies. The degree program can be completed in as few as two and a half years.
Maryville University is a private university in Town and Country, a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri. It was initially founded in 1872 by the Society of the Sacred Heart as an all women's school. The university's John E. Simon School of Business houses resources such as the Cyber Fusion Center and the Maryville Virtual Lab. Maryville is designated as an Apple Distinguished School for 2018-2021 for its technological leadership in education.
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Drexel UniversityLocation
Philadelphia, PA
Tuition$40977
Drexel University offers a Bachelor of Science in Computing & Security Technology. Students can complete the degree entirely online at their own pace. The program is designed to educate working professionals in cybersecurity and system administration. It offers concentrations in Computing Security and Computing Technology. The core curriculum includes courses in information technology security, network administration, and open servers. The program culminates in a cybersecurity project. A total of 188 quarter credits, which is equivalent to about 125-semester credits, is required for the degree.
Drexel University features a cooperative education program, which allows students to gain paid work experience in a field related to their studies. The university's research facilities include the Data Mining & Bioinformatics Lab and the Metadata Research Center. Drexel University Online has earned awards from Sloan-C and the United States Distance Learning Association for its excellence in distance learning programs.
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Franklin UniversityLocation
Columbus, OH
Tuition$24779
Franklin University offers an online program leading to a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity. The degree program welcomes transfer students by accepting up to 94 transfer credits. The curriculum includes classes in databases, information technology, networks, and programming. Students can expect to gain real-world experience by assisting with the security needs of their chosen nearby business organization or nonprofit. The program also includes real-world exercises through virtual security simulations. Students must complete at least 30 credits in residence on campus.
Franklin University began in 1902 in Ohio's Columbus YMCA. In addition to its main campus in the state capital, Franklin has regional schools across Ohio. The private university also has learning locations throughout the Midwestern United States and partnerships with community colleges in 30 states. All Franklin courses are offered online, so most students are enrolled in an online capacity.
Methodology: Here's How We Rank Schools
Metric | Data Used | Percentage |
Academic Quality | Full-time faculty percentage, student-to-faculty ratio, student retention and graduation rates | 25% |
Affordability | Tuition rates, median student debt, and financial aid | 35% |
Reputation | Admission and enrollment rates | 15% |
Program Offerings | Number of program options | 10% |
Online Enrollment Score | Portion of learners taking at least one online course | 15% |
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Selection Criteria
Best Value Schools publishes college degree rankings with the belief of how one's higher education should be, both, affordable and an investment of continued value for the students who pursue them. The staff of BVS collects data from reputable sources in order to calculate Net Price and the short and long-term value of every ranked degree. Collected data is simplified into weighted categories before scoring and then scaled through a BVS Score up to 100. The weighted categories are:
- Degree Investment Return (25%)
- Student & Alumni Evaluation (25%)
- Cost Value (25%)
- Matriculation (10%)
- Academic Success (15%)
No matter what degree you decide on, we hope our research and support has made the selection process easier. There are numerous resources BVS utilizes to collect information on degrees, and we encourage you to check them out for yourself!
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