Cybersecurity by state

Best Cybersecurity Programs in Alabama: 2026 Rankings

28 programs at 14 schools in Alabama.

The strongest cybersecurity programs in Alabama on this list are led by Calhoun Community College, Athens State University, and University of Alabama. Schools are ordered using our ranking for Alabama, drawn from 28 programs at 14 schools.

Best cybersecurity programs in Alabama

RankSchoolLocation
1 Calhoun Community College Tanner, AL
2 Athens State University Athens, AL
3 University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL
4 Auburn University Auburn University, AL
5 University of Alabama in Huntsville Huntsville, AL
6 Columbia Southern University Orange Beach, AL
7 Jefferson State Community College Birmingham, AL
8 University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, AL
9 Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM) Montgomery, AL
10 Strayer University-Alabama Birmingham, AL
11 University of South Alabama Mobile, AL
12 Tuskegee University Tuskegee, AL
13 Troy University Troy, AL
14 Alabama State University Montgomery, AL

School names are plain text in the table. Profiles and write-ups are below when available.

How we ranked this list

We order schools on this page using our ranking method, with more weight on affordability (35%), student outcomes (30%), curriculum (15%). Figures draw from published school tuition and U.S. Department of Education outcomes data when available. Schools cannot pay for a higher rank. About 82% of programs on this list have full scoring data. Read the full ranking methodology.

Top schools in Alabama

Each school lists a quick overview (program, estimated cost, format) plus a short program summary with links to official school pages and related program paths. Tuition figures are published estimates—confirm current totals on the school’s program page before you apply.

Calhoun Community College

Tanner, AL

Computer Information Systems A.A.S. Cybersecurity/IT Concentration

Overview

  • Availability: On campus
  • Estimated tuition total: $7,860 (in-state)
  • Credits: 60
  • Best for: Students comparing this specialty on cost and delivery
  • NSA CAE: NSA CAE (CAE-CD)

Program summary

AI/ML sits as a concentration or track inside a broader degree—scan required vs elective AI courses so you know how deep the path actually goes. Most of the work is on campus—labs and cohort access are part of the draw.

Details: program page.

Athens State University

Athens, AL

MS in Cybersecurity

Overview

  • Availability: Online
  • Estimated tuition total: $11,780 (~$380/credit)
  • Credits: 31
  • Best for: Working adults comparing this online cybersecurity path on cost and fit
  • Accreditation: SACSCOC
  • NSA CAE: NSA CAE (CAE-CD)

Program summary

Athens State University's program is the one profiled here. Delivery is fully online—confirm live vs recorded sessions and any intensives.

Related at this school: MS in Computer Science with Artificial Intelligen…. Details: program page.

University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, AL

Cyber Security · BS

Overview

  • Availability: On campus
  • Estimated tuition total: $58,440 (in-state, ~$487/credit)
  • Credits: 120
  • Best for: Students comparing this specialty on cost and delivery (University of Alabama)
  • NSA CAE: NSA CAE (CAE-R)

Program summary

University of Alabama is based in Tuscaloosa. Most of the work is on campus—labs and cohort access are part of the draw.

Details: program page.

Auburn University

Auburn University, AL

MS in Cybersecurity Engineering

Overview

  • Availability: Online
  • Estimated tuition total: $20,790 (~$693/credit)
  • Credits: 30
  • Best for: Working adults comparing this online cybersecurity path on cost and fit (Auburn University)
  • NSA CAE: NSA CAE (CAE-CD, CAE-R, CAE-CO)

Program summary

Start with Auburn University if this ranking angle matches your goals. Delivery is fully online—confirm live vs recorded sessions and any intensives.

Home unit: Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering. Related at this school: Master of Science — Cybersecurity Engineering · MS in Artificial Intelligence Engineering. Course map: curriculum bulletin.

University of Alabama in Huntsville

Huntsville, AL

BS in Cybersecurity Engineering

Overview

  • Availability: On campus
  • Estimated tuition total: $56,420 (in-state)
  • Credits: Confirm on school site
  • Best for: academic quality
  • Accreditation: SACSCOC
  • NSA CAE: NSA CAE (CAE-CD, CAE-R)

Program summary

Start with University of Alabama in Huntsville if this ranking angle matches your goals. Most of the work is on campus—labs and cohort access are part of the draw.

Related at this school: MS in Cybersecurity — Engineering · Management ·… · Certificate in Applied Machine Learning. Details: program page.

Columbia Southern University

Orange Beach, AL

BS in Information Systems and Cyber Security

Overview

  • Availability: Online
  • Estimated tuition total: $35,600 (~$297/credit)
  • Credits: 120
  • Best for: Working adults comparing this online cybersecurity path on cost and fit (Columbia Southern University)

Program summary

Columbia Southern University is based in Orange Beach. Delivery is fully online—confirm live vs recorded sessions and any intensives.

Home unit: College of Business and Technology. Details: program page.

Jefferson State Community College

Birmingham, AL

Cybersecurity Option AAS C255

Overview

  • Availability: Online or on campus
  • Estimated tuition total: $9,000 (in-state)
  • Credits: 76
  • Best for: Working adults comparing this online cybersecurity path on cost and fit (Jefferson State Community College)
  • NSA CAE: NSA CAE (CAE-CD)

Program summary

Cybersecurity is the focus track inside a broader computing or IT degree—check how many security-specific credits you must complete. Delivery is fully online—confirm live vs recorded sessions and any intensives.

Details: program page.

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Birmingham, AL

M.S. in Cyber Security (MSSec)

Overview

  • Availability: Online or on campus
  • Estimated tuition total: $23,805 (in-state, ~$529/credit)
  • Credits: 45
  • Best for: Working adults comparing this online cybersecurity path on cost and fit (University of Alabama at Birmingham)
  • NSA CAE: NSA CAE (CAE-R)

Program summary

Start with University of Alabama at Birmingham if this ranking angle matches your goals. Delivery is fully online—confirm live vs recorded sessions and any intensives.

Related at this school: MS in Artificial Intelligence in Medicine · Graduate Certificate in Artificial Intelligence i…. Details: program page.

Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM)

Montgomery, AL

MS in Computer Information Systems and Cyber Security

Overview

  • Availability: On campus
  • Estimated tuition total: $15,807 (in-state, ~$479/credit)
  • Credits: 33
  • Best for: Students comparing this specialty on cost and delivery (Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM))
  • Accreditation: SACSCOC (Southern Association)

Program summary

Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM)'s program is the one profiled here. Most of the work is on campus—labs and cohort access are part of the draw.

Details: program page.

Strayer University-Alabama

Birmingham, AL

Associate in Cybersecurity / Information Assurance

Overview

  • Availability: On campus
  • Estimated tuition total: Confirm on school site
  • Credits: Confirm on school site
  • Best for: Students comparing this specialty on cost and delivery (Strayer University-Alabama)
  • Accreditation: MSCHE

Program summary

Most of the work is on campus—labs and cohort access are part of the draw.

Details: program page.

Related rankings and guides

FAQ: cybersecurity degrees in Alabama

What are the best cybersecurity programs in Alabama?

On this state ranking, Calhoun Community College, Athens State University, and University of Alabama appear near the top. We list 14 schools offering cybersecurity programs in Alabama. Confirm format and admissions on each school site.

How many cybersecurity programs are in Alabama?

About 28 cybersecurity programs at 14 schools show up for Alabama on this list. Confirm current offerings on each school site.

Online or campus?

Both can appear on state lists. Check each program’s delivery format and any required campus visits.

How does AIDegrees rank these programs?

We order schools on this page using our ranking method, with more weight on affordability (35%), student outcomes (30%), curriculum (15%). Figures draw from published school tuition and U.S. Department of Education outcomes data when available. Schools cannot pay for a higher rank. About 82% of programs on this list have full scoring data. See the full ranking methodology for weights and data sources.

Does NSA CAE matter in this state?

CAE designation helps for some federal and defense paths. We score official CAE map matches when available—still verify on the school site.

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