Online Cybersecurity Degree Programs by State

With society’s reliance on technology, from online financial transactions and electronic medical records to developments in Artificial Intelligence (AI), cybersecurity has become an increasingly important field of work across both the private and public sectors. Individuals who study cybersecurity through undergraduate and/or graduate programs are equipped with knowledge and skills to prevent and address a myriad of cybersecurity and information security threats. Cybersecurity programs are available at every degree level, including associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, graduate certificate, and doctoral degree programs.

Cybersecurity degree programs are offered through both private and public colleges and universities, and in a variety of formats, from on-campus to hybrid and fully online programs. Cybersecuritydegree.com contains a comprehensive directory of online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in cybersecurity. Below are important details that prospective students of online cybersecurity programs should take into consideration when researching programs, as well as links to our directory of online programs offered by schools across the United States.

NICE Standards, ABET Accreditation, and NCAE-C Approval for Cybersecurity Programs

Cybersecurity degree programs are generally required to abide by the standards set forth by the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE), which the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) established in 2008 and most recently updated in 2025. In addition, the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology’s (ABET) Computing Accrediting Commission provides optional accreditation of computer science and other computing-oriented degree programs, including undergraduate and graduate degrees in cybersecurity. Regionally accredited institutions of higher education can apply for ABET accreditation to certify the quality of their coursework and preparation of students for careers in cybersecurity.

While also optional, schools that offer cybersecurity degree programs can apply to earn distinction from the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C), a government organization run by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). For more information on the aforementioned organizations, the standards and frameworks they use to assess cybersecurity degree programs, and how students can select a program that aligns with the quality requirements that NICE, ABET, and NCAE-C outline, reference our FAQ on Accreditation of Cybersecurity Degree Programs.

State Authorizations for Online Cybersecurity Degree Programs

Institutions of higher education that enroll out-of-state students in online cybersecurity programs must abide by the regulations and standards outlined by the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). NC-SARA is a non-profit organization that works to maintain consistency and quality of online education programs that accept students living outside of the state in which the school offering the program has a physical campus. A school within a state that has joined NC-SARA aligns its online programs’ curricula and course delivery with NC-SARA’s national standards, ensuring that students’ academic preparation is comparable to that of other online programs nationwide.

Membership with NC-SARA allows schools to more easily offer online programs to out-of-state students. As of 2025, 49 states and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands participate in NC-SARA. Currently, California is the only state that has not joined NC-SARA; however, California does not require institutions that do not have a physical campus in California to seek approval before they can offer online programs to residents of California. Schools that offer several programs online usually have pages on their websites that discuss state authorizations and whether or not the school is a member of NC-SARA. Nevertheless, students should always confirm that a school accepts students from their state of residence before applying to an online degree program in cybersecurity.

Tuition Considerations for Online Cybersecurity Degree Programs

As online education becomes more ubiquitous, some schools have changed how they determine their tuition costs for online degree programs, including whether or not to charge different tuition rates for in-state versus out-of-state students. Traditionally, public, state-funded universities have charged students who live in their state lower tuition rates compared to out-of-state students who are charged a higher rate. While many schools still charge different tuition rates based on a student’s state of residence, some online bachelor’s and master’s programs in cybersecurity charge online students the same tuition rate, regardless of their state of residence.

In addition, some programs have joined multi-state initiatives to help lower tuition costs for out-of-state students. For example, states that have joined the Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) have pledged to charge no more than 150% of in-state tuition to out-of-state students who enroll in their graduate programs. Similarly, states who are members of the Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP) commit to charging a maximum of 150% of in-state tuition to non-resident students. These initiatives can lower the cost of degree programs for students who are interested in online cybersecurity programs offered by out-of-state colleges and universities.

Prospective students should always check with the bursars office and/or financial aid office of the programs that interest them for the most accurate and up-to-date information on tuition costs and fees for online students, as well as options for potentially pursuing financial aid.

Internship and Practicum Considerations for Online Cybersecurity Degree Programs

Cybersecurity lends itself well to online education because of the nature of the work. Cybersecurity professionals work primarily online to investigate and address network security threats, build and improve information security systems, and conduct audits to strengthen organizations’ online defenses, among other tasks. As a result, the coursework, course assignments, groups projects, and labs that cybersecurity degree programs require can often be completed online. Nevertheless, some online programs in the field may require students to complete an internship at a site within commuting distance of their place of residence. For programs that require an internship as part of their curriculum, prospective students are encouraged to reach out to an admissions advisor at these programs to discuss the internship placement process before submitting an application.

Find Online Cybersecurity Degree Programs by State

Visit the following pages to learn more about online Bachelor’s in Cybersecurity programs by state and online Master’s in Cybersecurity programs by state or find programs by state using the links below.