5 Best Online Cybersecurity Bachelor’s Degrees for 2023

Bachelor's degrees in cybersecurity prepare students to protect computer systems against malicious attacks. Graduates can enter a constantly evolving, in-demand field with high-paying opportunities.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects computer and information technology jobs to grow 15% from 2021-2031, much faster than average. Professionals in this field earn a median annual wage of $97,430, more than double the median for all jobs.

Learn about the best online cybersecurity schools in this guide. We also cover online cybersecurity degree courses and careers, including educational requirements and average salaries.

What Is Cybersecurity?

Experts date the beginning of cybersecurity to around 1970, when an engineer named Bob Thomas created the first virus capable of transferring between computer networks. In 1988, Robert Morris followed in Thomas' footsteps, inventing a worm that caused enough damage to halt operations across the nascent internet.

Now a necessary position in nearly every workplace, cybersecurity professionals protect their organizations' computer systems from attacks. With business becoming increasingly reliant upon cloud computing, attackers attempt to steal sensitive information and interrupt operations, making cybersecurity a crucial component of any company.

Graduates with bachelor's degrees in cybersecurity qualify for professional roles as consultants, information security analysts, and computer and information systems managers. According to the BLS, the top employing industries for information security analysts include computer systems design, management of companies and enterprises, and credit intermediation and related activities.

With 141,200 information security analysts employed nationwide, BLS projection data indicates a surge in demand of 33% in the profession between 2020 and 2030, far outpacing the national average for all occupations.

Why Get an Education in Cybersecurity?

Higher education entails a significant investment of time, energy, and money. Cybersecurity degree-holders can expect to enter a job market that rewards their investment through lucrative jobs within many career fields. Technology enthusiasts with strong problem-solving skills can find ample opportunities in this challenging and rewarding sector. Consider the following reasons to pursue a cybersecurity degree:

• Opportunity: With cybersecurity now comprising a crucial component of most businesses, degree-holders can pursue roles in many industries and locations.
• Challenge: As technology expands and changes, cyberattackers use new methods for undermining computer systems. Cybersecurity professionals must maintain up-to-date knowledge and explore creative solutions, resulting in an engaging and challenging career.
• Earning Potential: According to BLS data, information security analysts made a median salary of $102,600 in May 2021. Among other lucrative opportunities, cybersecurity degree-holders may also apply their expertise as IT managers, who took home a median annual salary of $159,010 in May 2021.

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Top Online Schools for Cybersecurity Degrees

The following list ranks 5 of the best online cybersecurity schools; learners can use this page to find the right school for their career goals and learning preferences. To examine our ranking methodology, visit the link below.

Our Ranking Methodology

What to Expect From a Cybersecurity Degree Program

A bachelor's degree in cybersecurity prepares students to protect digital assets through offensive and defensive methods. The curriculum combines theoretical coursework with hands-on projects to emphasize skill-building in critical thinking, analysis, communication, and research. Students can also collaborate with local businesses.

To complete a cybersecurity degree, an enrollee must typically complete 120 credits, including any transfer credits. Some programs allow learners to apply work experience, such as industry credentials, toward degree completion. Depending on the program, the number of transfer credits, and individual student needs, program timelines can vary from 18 months to six years.

Many cybersecurity degree programs offer multiple tracks or concentrations. Foundational courses cover topics like network administration, information systems security, and computer programming. Some programs also cover certain aspects of business environments, such as organization management. Tuition rates also vary by institution, though many schools feature reduced rates.

Admission Requirements for Cybersecurity Schools

Cybersecurity programs often require applicants to hold an associate degree in cybersecurity or other college experience, like a cybersecurity certificate, before qualifying for admission. These programs expect students to enter the program with about 30 credits already earned. Some schools do not require any previous college coursework. In either case, most programs allow degree-seekers to transfer more credits into the program as needed.

Applicants may also encounter GPA minimums, typically in the 2.5-3.0 range. In addition to an online application, schools typically require an application fee, personal statement, resume, transcripts, and letters of recommendation.

Prospective students can use the Common App to create a single, streamlined application for multiple schools. The Common App also provides planning resources and financial aid information.

Bachelor's in Cybersecurity Degree and Concentration Options

Most cybersecurity bachelor's degree programs offer BS degrees. Individuals interested in pairing business and technology can also pursue bachelor's degrees in business administration with a focus in cybersecurity.

Several of the best cybersecurity programs offer a selection of specializations, allowing students to tailor their studies to their interests and career goals. Common options include:

• Computer Forensics: Computer forensics involves investigation and vulnerability testing, with courses focused on network and malware forensics. Students learn to detect and respond to network intrusions.
• Cybercrime and Fraud Investigation: This specialization focuses on unearthing crimes like money laundering, credit fraud, and fraud prevention.
• Information Assurance: Emphasizing the prevention of data-driven cybercrime, the information assurance concentration teaches students to run protected cyberoperations and continually assess system vulnerabilities.
• Information Warfare and Security Management: An information warfare concentration focuses on issues of national security and explores cyberintelligence from offensive and defensive positions.

Popular Courses at Cybersecurity Schools

Every cybersecurity degree program maintains different requirements and expectations. Prospective students should keep their own interests in mind while researching schools, as coursework differs substantially among schools. Still, degree-seekers can expect to encounter some similarities as they consider their options.

Major requirements for a bachelor's in cybersecurity usually split core degree requirements and electives or concentration options. Some programs also require each enrollee to complete a capstone or senior project. Frequently required courses include:

• Fundamentals of Computer Networking: Cybersecurity personnel must understand the systems they aim to protect. By studying networking theories and protocols, plus common structures and terminology, learners develop the foundational knowledge they need to apply security measures. Topics include common networking types, hardware, applications, and routing concepts.
• Computer Science I: This staple of the more technically oriented concentration pathways, such as network forensics and information assurance, covers general knowledge in data structures, programming, and algorithms. A computer science course generally comprises theoretical principles and project-based learning.
• Cyberlaw and Cybercrime: This course provides a foundation in the legal aspects of cybersecurity. Students learn about laws and regulations as they apply to information security, internet fraud, and the use of digital forensics. Coursework also touches on approaches for investigations that extend across international borders.
• Information Security: With data breaches becoming a common occurrence among corporations, every business aims to enhance the protection of their sensitive information. This course may cover cybersecurity as it applies to both business and government, focusing on the value of information, legal issues, policy development, and system maintenance as it applies to data security.
• Cybersecurity Capstone: Capstone expectations vary by program. Some schools require each student to work with an advisor to develop an individual project, while others use seminars. In some cases, students work directly with an existing company to assess their cybersecurity protocols and infrastructure.

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Jobs for Graduates of Cybersecurity Colleges

With degrees in cybersecurity, candidates can leverage their expertise to impress potential employers for many computer-related roles. BLS data indicates that careers in the information security field requiring a bachelor's degree took home a national median salary that exceeded $100,000 in 2021. Computer systems analysts earned a median income of $99,270 in 2021, while computer programmers earned a median income of $93,000 in the same year.

Graduates might also consider obtaining professional certifications, such as CompTIA Security+, to help secure lucrative manager or director positions. A master's degree can also accelerate advancement opportunities to roles as computer and information research scientists, for which the BLS reports a median 2021 salary of $131,490.

Top Jobs for Bachelor's in Cybersecurity Graduates

• Computer Network Architect
• Information Security Analyst
• Security Administrator
• Security Manager
• Government Cybersecurity Careers

How to Choose the Best College for a Cybersecurity Degree

Our rankings provide an excellent anchor for students beginning or continuing their search for the right cybersecurity degree. However, prospective enrollees should consider their own goals and preferences before committing to a program.

Accreditation plays a crucial role in the search for any degree program. Institutional accreditation applies to schools themselves, while programmatic accreditation refers to specific degrees within a school. Many institutions do not recognize transfer credits or degrees earned without institutional accreditation. Cybersecurity degree-seekers may also want to look for programs accredited by the National Centers for Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity.

Prospective students should consider the availability of extracurricular activities and university resources. Distance learners may wish to know what kind of community-building opportunities the program provides, such as club memberships and online events. Other important resources include career services and alumni networks, library assistance, disability services, and tutoring.

The cost of a program also weighs heavily for many degree-seekers. Some online cybersecurity schools offer scholarships and other forms of financial aid, so students should ask about these opportunities when contacting potential schools. Learners should also balance cost against earning potential -- many of the best colleges for cybersecurity offer details on graduate success rates, including how quickly graduates secured jobs, salary ranges, and specific job titles.

Why You Should Get Your Cybersecurity Degree Online

The success of online education grows by the year as more top institutions recognize the value of distance learning.

Cybersecurity students can easily learn the necessary theories and principles through online cybersecurity lectures, with practical computing projects particularly suited to distance learning. Enrollees can still participate in group work and make important connections while studying online.

Before committing to an online cybersecurity degree, however, degree-seekers should consider their personal preferences and tendencies. Distance education in cybersecurity curriculum compares equally with the rigor of in-person coursework, necessitating strong self-motivation on the part of the students. Some may want to participate in a busy on-campus atmosphere, whereas others excel in individual study.

Cybersecurity college students should consider the program structure that best matches their situation and personality. Some online courses run through real-time web meetings, requiring enrollees to attend courses at scheduled times. Others present materials for students to complete on their own schedules. Degree-seekers may also prefer a hybrid approach, which incorporates regular or occasional in-person meetings.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Online Cybersecurity Classes

What degree do I need for cybersecurity?

A cybersecurity degree typically comes in the form of a BS in cybersecurity. Students interested in business might consider a BS in administration with a concentration in cybersecurity, as well.

How long does it take to get a bachelor's degree in cybersecurity?

Depending on the number of credits transferred into a program, a cybersecurity degree can take 18 months to four years. Part-time students may extend programs longer, if necessary.

What can I do with a degree in cybersecurity?

As an essential component to many computer-related professions, cybersecurity opens the doors to jobs like information security analyst, computer and information systems manager, and database administrator.

Is an online cybersecurity degree worth it?

BLS projection data indicates that demand for information security analysts will grow by 33% between 2020 and 2030, far exceeding the national average for all occupations. With an overall growth of 13% for all computer and IT professions, graduates can enter a booming job market with high earning potential.