Best Online Cybersecurity Bachelor's Degrees: 2026 Rankings & Career Guide
Best online cybersecurity bachelor's degrees—cyber security degree online options.
Updated
Western Governors University, Fort Hays State University, and SANS Technology Institute offer the best online bachelor's degrees in cybersecurity on our list. Western Governors University's Bachelor's in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance lists a total tuition of about $22,050, Fort Hays State University lists $31,806, and SANS Technology Institute lists $41,650. Across our top 10, published totals run from $15,500 to $41,650, and 7 of the 10 schools hold the NSA Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) designation.
10 Best Online Cybersecurity Bachelor's Degrees
Rank
School
Location
1
Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UT
2
Fort Hays State University
Hays, KS
3
SANS Technology Institute
Rockville, MD
4
Boise State University
Boise, ID
5
Florida International University
Miami, FL
6
George Fox University
Newberg, OR
7
University of the Potomac
Washington, DC
8
Kennesaw State University
Kennesaw, GA
9
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY
10
Avila University
Kansas City, MO
The table is for quick comparison. School write-ups below cover program name, format, and tuition—always confirm on the school site. More programs to compare appear after the write-ups when we have additional schools outside this top list.
How we ranked this list
We order schools on this page using our ranking method, with more weight on affordability (40%), student outcomes (30%), curriculum (18%). Figures draw from published school tuition and U.S. Department of Education outcomes data when available. Schools cannot pay for a higher rank. About 87% of programs on this list have full scoring data. Read the full ranking methodology.
Tuition Snapshot
Among 10 programs on this page with an estimated tuition total, the median is about $25,440 and the mean is about $26,684. These are published list-price estimates—not what students usually pay after aid (net price). Confirm current rates on each school site.
Online Cybersecurity Degree Programs: The Latest Data
This guide ranks 10 programs after scoring and keeping one listing per school. Use the tuition snapshot with curriculum fit and accreditation notes before you apply.
How To Choose An Online Cybersecurity Bachelor's Degree
Use these criteria when you shortlist—then confirm details on each school’s program page.
Course Material and Program Focus
Look for core coverage in networks, secure coding, forensics, and risk—not only survey IT courses. Electives should match the role you want (security operations center / SOC, pentest, governance-risk-compliance / GRC).
Costs
Compare published totals and per-credit rates, then run each school’s net-price tools. Online flat-rate public programs often beat out-of-state campus list prices.
Accreditations
Prefer regionally accredited schools. CAE designations help for some federal and defense paths—verify the designation on the school site, not only in marketing copy.
Graduate Outcomes
Ask how the program supports labs, internships, and cert prep (Security+, CySA+, etc.). Employers hire skills and security clearances as much as the diploma title alone.
1
Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UT
Bachelor's in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance
Overview
Availability: Online
Estimated tuition total: $22,050
Credits: Confirm on school site
Best for: Working adults comparing this online cybersecurity path on cost and fit
Accreditation: NWCCU
NSA CAE: NSA CAE (CAE-CD)
Program summary
Delivery is fully online—confirm live vs recorded sessions and any intensives.
BA or BS in Information Networking and Telecommunications · Cybersecurity Concentration
Overview
Availability: Online
Estimated tuition total: $31,806 (~$265/credit)
Credits: 120
Best for: Working adults comparing this online cybersecurity path on cost and fit (AI concentration)
NSA CAE: NSA CAE (CAE-CD)
Program summary
Fort Hays State University anchors this ranking slot. Expect the parent degree’s core plus an AI-focused set of electives—confirm how many credits must be AI-labeled before you treat it as an AI credential. Delivery is fully online—confirm live vs recorded sessions and any intensives.
Best for: Working adults comparing this online cybersecurity path on cost and fit (Avila University)
Program summary
Students looking at Kansas City will find Avila University on this list. Delivery is fully online—confirm live vs recorded sessions and any intensives.
More Online Cybersecurity Bachelor's Programs to Compare
These schools also offer online cybersecurity bachelor's programs. They are not numbered in the ranking above—either they sat outside the top list, or we do not yet have a defensible tuition estimate to score them fairly on cost. Confirm current tuition and admissions on each school site.
What is the best online cybersecurity bachelor's degree?
Schools such as Western Governors University, Fort Hays State University, and SANS Technology Institute appear near the top of this Best Overall online cybersecurity bachelor's list. Compare NSA Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) notes, transfer credit, and total cost on each school site.
Cyber security degree online vs. associate or master's?
A bachelor's fits most entry-level analyst and security operations center (SOC) roles. Associates are faster entry paths; master's suit career switchers who already hold a bachelor's.
How long does an online cyber security degree take?
Full-time bachelor's programs often take about four years; transfer credits and part-time pacing change the timeline. Confirm any required campus visits or testing rules.
Do I need Security+ or other certs first?
Not always. Many programs weave cert prep into electives. Employers still value Security+, CySA+, or security clearances alongside the degree—check how each school supports labs and exams.
How does AIDegrees rank these programs?
We order schools on this page using our ranking method, with more weight on affordability (40%), student outcomes (30%), curriculum (18%). Figures draw from published school tuition and U.S. Department of Education outcomes data when available. Schools cannot pay for a higher rank. About 87% of programs on this list have full scoring data. See the full methodology for NSA CAE scoring and weights.
