Best Cybersecurity Programs in California: 2026 Rankings
101 programs at 25 schools in California.
Updated
The strongest cybersecurity programs in California on this list are led by National University, Naval Postgraduate School, and University of San Diego. Schools are ordered using our ranking for California, drawn from 101 programs at 25 schools.
Best cybersecurity programs in California
Rank
School
Location
1
National University
San Diego, CA
2
Naval Postgraduate School
Monterey, CA
3
University of San Diego
San Diego, CA
4
Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA
5
Cypress College
Cypress, CA
6
California State University, Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA
7
Coastline College
Fountain Valley, CA
8
Sierra College
Rocklin, CA
9
California Baptist University
Riverside, CA
10
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
11
California State University, San Marcos
San Marcos, CA
12
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA
13
University of California-Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA
14
San Diego City College
San Diego, CA
15
Chaffey College
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
16
University of California-San Diego
La Jolla, CA
17
California State University-San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA
18
MTI College
Sacramento, CA
19
Coastline Community College
Fountain Valley, CA
20
Cosumnes River College
Sacramento, CA
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 77% of programs on this list have full scoring data. Read the full ranking methodology.
Top schools in California
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.
1
National University
San Diego, CA
Doctor of Philosophy in Cybersecurity
Overview
Availability: Online
Estimated tuition total: $62,340 (~$1,039/credit)
Credits: 60
Best for: Working adults comparing this online cybersecurity path on cost and fit
Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
NSA CAE: NSA CAE (CAE-CD)
Program summary
Delivery is fully online—confirm live vs recorded sessions and any intensives. Plan on roughly 3–4 years (average 40 months).
Best for: Students comparing this specialty on cost and delivery
Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
NSA CAE: NSA CAE (CAE-R, CAE-CD, CAE-CO)
Program summary
Naval Postgraduate School sits in Monterey. Format is hybrid; confirm any required campus residencies before you enroll. Plan on roughly 3–5 years (depending on research scope). This is a broader degree, not a standalone cybersecurity program.
What are the best cybersecurity programs in California?
On this state ranking, National University, Naval Postgraduate School, and University of San Diego appear near the top. We list 25 schools offering cybersecurity programs in California. Confirm format and admissions on each school site.
How many cybersecurity programs are in California?
About 101 cybersecurity programs at 25 schools show up for California 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 77% 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.
