OnlineCyberSecurityDegreeGuide.com was built with the goal of assisting potential students in their search for a cybersecurity degree program that meets their needs. Whether you’re hoping to change fields to cybersecurity, you’re trying to improve your resume and move up in your current job, or you just have an interest in the subject, the usual, in-person cybersecurity degree programs use up too much of two key resources: money and time.

With this problem in mind, we researched accredited colleges offering 100 percent online cybersecurity programs. With each passing year, online schooling becomes more and more normalized -- which is great for students in need of a more convenient, flexible learning environment. We narrowed down our list of colleges to those that have the most flexible schedules, self-paced courses, and 24/7 access to classroom materials. Our priority was finding the programs that could actually fit into your busy life. We also took value into account, considering each school’s tuition and financial aid options to find the best bang-for-your-buck programs. The result is our carefully curated list of the Top 5 Colleges for Online Cybersecurity Degrees.

Whatever your current situation is, success in the highly engaging and lucrative world of cybersecurity is possible -- and earning a degree is the place to start. We created this site to help prospective students just like you find the best programs available and take that first leap towards a successful career in the field.

For computer enthusiasts interested in an intellectually stimulating and financially rewarding career, cybersecurity is one of the top fields to consider. In this day and age, computer systems are necessary to the functionality of all businesses, which means protecting these systems from attacks or preventable failures is critical – and this is where cybersecurity comes in.

With how much computers are used in our everyday lives now, it’s no wonder that cybersecurity is one of the fastest growing fields at present. Whether you want a job that largely allows you to work independently and focus on your computer skills, or you’d like a role that throws more person-to-person interaction and people skills into the mix, there is space within the field for you. In fact, cybersecurity is often discussed as having two separate career types within the field: the technical side of things versus the more managerial side. While these paths can intertwine, and often do as cybersecurity specialists move up the corporate ladder, we’ll discuss them separately here just for clarity:

Technical Roles in Cybersecurity

This category comprises the more detail-oriented, operations-focused roles within cybersecurity. These professionals spend their time actively mitigating security threats, whether that’s through security measure design and implementation, risk identification, or security threat response. Here are a few technical careers you could pursue with an online degree in cybersecurity:

1. Information Security Analysts: Cybersecurity Degrees

   Information security analysts essentially create and implement security measures to protect their company’s computer systems, networks and data from any type of security breach. These plans can be preventative in nature, or they might provide recovery steps for their team to follow in case a breach does occur. Analysts typically have a bachelor’s in cybersecurity or computer and information technology (IT). In many cases, a few years of experience in an IT department may also be necessary. As one of the fastest-growing professions in the country, this is a fantastic career for anyone interested in the IT field.

   Median Pay: $120,360

   Job Growth: Information security analyst positions are expected to grow by 32% between 2022 and 2032, which is much faster than average⁽¹⁾⁽⁸⁾.

2. Computer Network Architects: Cybersecurity, IT, or Engineering Degrees

   Computer network architects design and deploy networks, including intranets, local area networks (LANs), and wide area networks (WANs). In building these networks, no matter the size, network architects must keep security concerns as well as ongoing business needs in mind. Networks must be secure in order to prevent major security breaches. They must be aware of new technologies both when it comes to hardware as well as software, so that their networks are always running efficiently. To work in this field, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in IT, cybersecurity, engineering, or a related field -- in some cases, an MBA may also be required. This is usually not an entry-level position, with most employers expecting a network architect to have several years of experience in IT before starting.

   Median Pay: $129,840

   Job Growth: Computer network architect positions are expected to grow by 4% between 2022 and 2032, which is about average⁽³⁾.

3. Penetration Testers: Cybersecurity Degrees

   Penetration testers simulate cyberattacks against their own organization’s computer systems in order to find security flaws. They then design solutions for these security issues in order to increase data protection. These testers must remain up to date on current hacking techniques and IT developments, and they must be able to analyze the potential damage any given risk might be able to cause. Joining this career path requires a degree in cybersecurity or a related field, and often requires a few years of experience in a more general IT role as well. With great pay and expected growth over the coming years, this is a fantastic path to consider.

   Median Pay: $104,920

   Job Growth: Penetration tester positions are expected to grow by 9% or more between 2022 and 2032, which is faster than average⁽⁵⁾.

4. Digital Forensics Analysts: Cybersecurity Degrees

   Digital forensics analysts investigate computer-related crimes and gather and recover digital evidence related to crimes for further analysis. Forensics analysts must be not only computer-savvy but also must possess a specialized understanding of the law and how it pertains to digital media. Along with a degree in cybersecurity or a related field, earning a law-related degree or certificate may also be helpful if you are pursuing this career. These professionals must be organized and highly analytical in order to be effective -- if you are interested in a fast-paced, dynamic role that combines law with the web, this might be the career to look into.

   Median Pay: $104,920

   Job Growth: Digital forensics analyst positions are expected to grow by 9% or more between 2022 and 2032, which is faster than average⁽⁶⁾.

5. Network and Computer System Administrators: Cybersecurity or IT Degrees

   Network administrators provide installation and upkeep support for a company’s computer systems. They maintain security, suggest hardware and software upgrades, and ensure operations remain smooth from day-to-day. They often work closely with network architects when it comes to network design. These positions usually require a bachelor’s in a computer-related field such as cybersecurity or IT. After several years of experience, these administrators often go on to become network architects or IT managers of their departments, making it a great entry-level option for those interested in working with computer systems.

   Median Pay: $95,360

   Job Growth: Network and computer system administrator positions are expected to grow by 2% between 2020 and 2030, which is about average⁽⁷⁾.

Cybersecurity Leadership Roles

For the cybersecurity section of a company to run smoothly, strong leadership is necessary. After gaining several years of experience within the field on the technical side of things, many cybersecurity professionals get promoted into managerial roles. These jobs require both a deep understanding of the field itself and significant social skills to make effective management possible. While there are many distinct types of and titles for managers within the cybersecurity field, here are a couple of major ones to be aware of:

6. Cybersecurity Project Managers: Cybersecurity Degrees

   These project managers lead the technical staff in charge of maintaining their organization’s computer system security. With each project, the manager must direct staff, stay within budget, and maintain a careful schedule, all while ensuring that their team’s deliverables are quality. Communication skills are necessary for these roles, as you will be responsible for motivating and keeping up with your team at all times. Additionally, project managers need to have exceptional organizational skills to keep things running smoothly. Qualifying for a cybersecurity project manager role typically requires work experience in the field and a bachelor’s in cybersecurity – in some cases, a master's in business or IT may also be helpful. Cybersecurity professionals looking for career advancement opportunities should take this path into consideration.

   Median Pay: $104,920

   Job Growth: IT project manager positions are expected to grow anywhere by 9% or more between 2022 and 2032, which is higher than average⁽⁴⁾.

7. Computer and Information Systems Managers: Cybersecurity or IT Degrees

   These managers are in charge of all computer-related functions within their organization. They analyze the IT needs of their company, recommend and facilitate upgrades, and direct the IT team as a whole. In most cases, a larger organization will have multiple IT managers with different focuses -- this might include chief technology officers (CTO), chief information officers (CIO), chief security officers (CSO), or IT directors to name a few. Along with many years of experience in the field and a bachelor’s in cybersecurity (for CSOs specifically), IT, or another related field, many IT managers have graduate degrees in business or computer science as well. Given the focus on managing others, these professionals need both considerable experience in the field and highly developed social skills to succeed.

   Median Pay: $169,510

   Job Growth: Computer and information systems manager positions are expected to grow by 15% between 2022 and 2032, which is much faster than average⁽²⁾.

Whether you want to move up into higher leadership within the field or you’d rather stick to the more technical roles available, choosing the cybersecurity career path is a surefire way to find success and fulfillment in your line of work. Whatever your goal within the field is, the first step is earning a degree online so you can learn the necessary computer and management skills needed to thrive in this profession and meet the education qualifications most of these roles require.