You don't need to spend $50,000 or more to earn a reputable cybersecurity bachelor's degree online. We compared current tuition and fees to identify 10 of the most affordable online cybersecurity degrees for 2027.
Every cybersecurity program on our list can be completed fully online and has a total estimated cost under $50,000 before financial aid or transfer credits.
What makes our affordability rankings valuable?
Most online degree rankings rely primarily on the National Center for Education Statistics, measuring school-wide rates for graduation, net price, loan defaults, etc. The NCES has good data, and we use it too, but we go further by looking at each program’s actual tuition and fees, cost-saving accelerated learning options, and how well its skills and credentials line up with workforce demand.
Cheapest Online Cybersecurity Degrees Compared
The accredited online cybersecurity bachelor’s degrees on our list cost between about $23,000 and $49,000 in total.
How we estimated costs: Each total combines the program's published online tuition with required fees, assuming full-time enrollment. Estimates don't include financial aid, application fees or textbooks unless noted.
| Most Affordable Online Cybersecurity Bachelor’s Degrees | ||
| School | Program | Est. Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Western Governors University | B.S. Cybersecurity and Information Assurance | $23,125 |
| Columbus State University | B.S. Cybersecurity | $23,247 |
| Kennesaw State University | B.S. Cybersecurity | $28,872 |
| Columbia Southern University | B.S. Information Systems and Cyber Security | $33,360 |
| Avila University | B.S. Cybersecurity | $36,000 |
| Champlain College | B.S. Cybersecurity | $41,190 |
| LSU Alexandria | B.S. Cybersecurity Technology | $42,360 |
| Southern New Hampshire University | B.S. Cybersecurity | $42,480 |
| University of Arkansas Grantham | Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity | $42,600 |
| Southern Illinois University Carbondale | B.S. Cybersecurity Technology | $48,930 |
The Most Affordable Online Cybersecurity Bachelor's in the U.S.
1. Western Governors University
B.S. Cybersecurity and Information Assurance
WGU charges by the six-month term instead of by credit, so the faster you move through the program, the less you pay. Our estimate uses five terms, or 30 months, because WGU reports that 60% of graduates in this program finish within 29 months.
The degree also includes marketable cybersecurity certifications, including CompTIA’s Security+, CySA+ and PenTest+, and ISC2’s CCSP and SSCP, which adds real value at this price.
- Estimated total cost: $23,125 at five terms
- Tuition and resource fee: $4,625 per six-month term
- Credits: Competency-based
- Recognition: ABET accredited; CAE-CD
2. Columbus State University
B.S. Cybersecurity
Columbus State's Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity has the lowest per-credit tuition on our 2027 ranking, and its eTuition rate applies to fully online students regardless of where they live. The curriculum includes ethical hacking, network defense and digital forensics.
- Estimated total cost: $23,247
- Tuition: $189 per credit
- Credits: 123
- Recognition: CAE-CD
3. Kennesaw State University
B.S. Cybersecurity
Kennesaw rounds out the three online cybersecurity degrees under $30,000. Keep an eye on the $594 online learner fee: our estimate assumes eight full-time terms, so taking longer will raise the total. The curriculum mixes technical security with cybercrime, risk management and security policy.
- Estimated total cost: $28,872
- Tuition: $201 per credit
- Credits: 120
- Recognition: CAE-CD
4. Columbia Southern University
B.S. Information Systems and Cyber Security
This degree is broader than most on the list, combining cybersecurity with information systems. You'll study network defense and digital forensics, but also information assurance and systems auditing, which can be useful for cybersecurity roles tied closely to IT operations or governance.
- Estimated total cost: $33,360
- Tuition: $278 per credit
- Credits: 120
- Maximum transfer credits: 90
5. Avila University
B.S. Cybersecurity
Avila charges the same $300-per-credit online rate nationwide. The program covers ethical hacking, network security, digital forensics and risk management. Transferring in the full 90-credit maximum can bring tuition down to just $9,000.
- Estimated total cost: $36,000
- Tuition: $300 per credit
- Credits: 120
- Maximum transfer credits: 90
6. Champlain College
B.S. Cybersecurity
Champlain's cybersecurity bachelor's program features coursework in penetration testing, intrusion detection, digital forensics and network security. If you already have an associate degree, check Champlain's current transfer pricing. Qualifying associate-degree graduates may be eligible for a lower per-credit rate.
- Estimated total cost: $41,190
- Tuition: $342 per credit
- Credits: 120
- Recognition: CAE-CD
7. LSU Alexandria
B.S. Cybersecurity Technology
LSU Alexandria uses one online tuition rate nationwide, so you don't have to qualify for in-state pricing to get the cost shown here. The degree is geared toward applied cybersecurity work, with hands-on training in network security, systems administration, digital forensics and threat analysis.
- Estimated total cost: $42,360
- Tuition: $353 per credit
- Credits: 120
8. Southern New Hampshire University
B.S. Cybersecurity
SNHU’s cybersecurity bachelor’s combines systems thinking and adversarial thinking with hands-on labs using industry-standard operating systems, networking devices, simulation tools, scripting languages and security software. Coursework covers areas like network security, application security, incident response, and cybersecurity risk management. Students can follow the general cybersecurity curriculum or choose a concentration in Generative AI, Data Analytics or Project Management. SNHU also accepts up to 90 transfer credits to further reduce time and cost to graduation.
- Estimated total cost: $42,480
- Tuition: $354 per credit
- Credits: 120
- Recognition: CAE-CD
9. University of Arkansas Grantham
B.S. Cybersecurity
UA Grantham's $305 tuition rate looks especially low at first glance, but the required $50-per-credit resource fee brings the effective rate to $355 per credit. The tradeoff is that the fee covers textbooks, ebooks and software, so those costs are already built into our estimate. Students can also transfer up to 75% of the degree, and UA Grantham provides degree-seeking students with a complimentary laptop, creating additional cost-saving opportunities. The cybersecurity bachelor's curriculum covers network defense, ethical hacking, security architecture, and cybersecurity operations & governance.
- Estimated total cost: $42,600
- Tuition: $305 per credit
- Credits: 120
- Resource fee: $50 per credit
10. Southern Illinois University Carbondale
B.S. Cybersecurity Technology
SIU Carbondale charges the same standard online tuition rate regardless of residency. Online students also pay $80 per credit in mandatory fees, which brings the estimated full cybersecurity degree cost to just under $49,000. The program's applied curriculum goes well beyond basic network security, with training in offensive cybersecurity, cyber forensics, web and cloud security, software security, cryptography and security analysis.
- Estimated total cost: $48,930
- Tuition: $327.75 per credit
- Credits: 120
- Required fees: $80 per credit
What Is CAE-CD Designation?
Some programs on this list hold the NSA's National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) designation. It recognizes schools that meet NSA academic requirements for cyber defense education. We note the designation where it applies, but it doesn't affect the order of this ranking, which is based on estimated program cost.
How Much Do Online Cybersecurity Degrees Cost?
Online cybersecurity bachelor's degree costs vary widely. Many programs cost $50,000 or more before financial aid, with some approaching or exceeding $100,000. The affordable security programs on our list come in below $50,000, with estimated total costs ranging from about $23,000 to $49,000.
Transfer credits can make a big difference in the price of your cybersecurity bachelor’s program. If you already have college coursework, relevant certifications or other prior education that may qualify for credit, look at what the degree will cost from where you are now, not just the sticker price.
Looking for a broader comparison beyond affordability? See our Best Online Cybersecurity Bachelor's Degrees ranking.
