Best Online Bachelor’s in Information Systems Security Programs of 2023
Information systems security is a dynamic field, and security experts are in high demand, making this an appealing career option. Learn the skills required to work as a penetration tester or security expert with a bachelor's degree in information systems security from a leading institution.
Why This Matters
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53% OF INFORMATION SECURITY ANALYSTS HAVE BACHELOR’S DEGREES
According to O*NET, slightly more than half of those employed as information security analysts have bachelor’s degrees. 13% have associate degrees, and 23% have a post-baccalaureate certificate.
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31% JOB GROWTH EXPECTED THROUGH 2029
There were 131,000 IT security analyst jobs available in 2019, and demand is expected to grow by 31% by 2029 as businesses adapt to new technological challenges.
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EARN $100,000 WORKING IN FINANCE SYSTEMS SECURITY
Information security analysts can command high salaries in any sector. Those who work in finance and insurance are among the top earners, with average salaries of $103,510 per year.
Our Research
This list covers undergraduate programs in computing and information systems with a focus on cybersecurity, digital forensics, networks, and other related subjects. Computer science and information systems undergraduate programs typically lead to a Bachelor of Science degree. We’ve included both online and blended learning degrees in our list.
The programs we’ve included in this list are accredited by a variety of industry-focused bodies such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. We also included some programs accredited by state or regional bodies. Choosing an accredited school makes it easier to transfer credits should a student decide to pursue a master’s degree at a later date.
- 59 hours to write this article
- 63 universities and colleges we assessed
- 126 education programs we compared
The Top 10 Best Online Bachelor's in Information Systems Security Programs
Kennesaw State University
Intelligent Pick
Kennesaw State University’s (KSU) Bachelor of Business Administration in Information Security & Assurance program is a leader in online education in the field. The Committee on National Security Systems and the National Security Agency have certified that KSU offers a set of courseware that has been reviewed by national-level information assurance subject matter experts and determined to meet National Training Standard for Information Systems Security Professionals. In addition, KSU is designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance, as recognized by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security. These recognitions and honors mean that, as a KSU student, you will receive high-quality training in information security and assurance that is looked upon favorably in the job market.
Things to consider:
- Cost per credit: $185.40
- Credits required to graduate: 120
- Academic calendar: Traditional semester
- Graduation rate: 48%
More program information:
- Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 470-578-6425
Champlain College
Best for International Students
Champlain College’s Bachelor of Science in Computer & Information Systems program is highly flexible. Course materials are available 24/7, and everything can be completed on your own schedule. The program requires a time commitment of approximately 10 to 17 hours per week, so it’s possible to work while earning your degree. At the center of the program — and the college as a whole — is an emphasis on career mobility. As a student pursuing an online bachelor’s degree, you get free access to the Fast Start Formula Career Course, which is taught by an expert executive career coach and offers lots of tips and strategies for landing your dream job. Champlain’s virtual classrooms are diverse, multicultural, and welcoming to students from all around the world.
Things to consider:
- Cost per credit: $318
- Credits required to graduate: 120
- Academic calendar: Two seven-week terms per semester; three semesters per year
- Graduation rate: 61%
More program information:
- Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 866-637-6292
Saint Leo University
Most Innovative Curriculum
Saint Leo University’s Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems program offers a cutting-edge, innovative curriculum. You can enroll in classes like Decision Support Systems,
Systems Analysis and Design, and Database Concepts and Programming. This forward-thinking curriculum was developed based on the recommendations of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers and the Academy of Computing Machinery, two leading standards-making organizations in educational and scientific computing. At Saint Leo’s, you also benefit from the industry expertise of faculty who have worked all over the world and in high-level positions at Texas Instruments, IBM, the United States Air Force, and noteworthy banks, insurance companies, and education institutions. You also have access to professional development opportunities such as internships, cocurricular activities and clubs, and membership in honors societies.
Things to consider:
- Cost per credit: $380
- Credits required to graduate: 120
- Academic calendar: Traditional semester
- Graduation rate: 43%
More program information:
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 877-622-2009
University of Illinois Springfield
Best Advisors
University of Illinois Springfield’s (UIS) Bachelor of Science in Information Systems Security program includes many labs and hands-on experiences designed to simulate real-world experience, which can benefit you in the job market. You can choose to pursue the degree completely online or on campus in Springfield, Illinois. The UIS computer science department is a Cisco Regional Networking Academy, serving as the instruction center for local academies at high schools, career centers, community colleges, and universities in central Illinois. UIS has also received national recognition as a partner in the National Science Foundation’s Center for Systems Security and Information Assurance (CSSIA). Moreover, the curriculum is certified by the Committee of National Security Systems and the National Security Agency, and the department has been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in information assurance education.
Things to consider:
- Cost per credit: $362
- Credits required to graduate: 120
- Academic calendar: Traditional semester
- Graduation rate: 55%
More program information:
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 217-206-6770
California Baptist University Online
Best for CompTIA Certifications
California Baptist University Online’s Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Technology program is an academic partner of CompTIA, a certification process set by industry professionals that allows you to demonstrate your computer technology skills. The curriculum is designed to prepare you to complete multiple CompTIA certifications, providing full access to helpful online learning tools to prepare for exams at a reduced rate. These certifications are worthwhile because they can make you stand out on the job market. The curriculum also includes extensive labs and other hands-on learning opportunities to make the program engaging and reflective of what you will encounter in the real world. California Baptist University Online has been recognized by Learn.org, OnlineColleges.com, and SR Education Group as a premier online institution in California.
Things to consider:
- Cost per credit: $613
- Credits required to graduate: 124
- Academic calendar: Traditional semester
- Graduation rate: 62%
More program information:
- Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 951-343-3900
Central Washington University
Best Career Services
Central Washington University’s Bachelor of Science in Information Technology & Administrative Management program is tailored to the needs and opportunities in the tech market of today and tomorrow. The online program gives you the option to specialize in a particular field: administrative management, cybersecurity, data driven innovation for IT managers, project management, or retail management and technology. These specializations allow you to tailor your education to your specific career goals. Central Washington University provides excellent career counseling services whether you study in person or online. Moreover, through the FlexIT Performance-Based Education format, you benefit from a high level of flexibility in scheduling or opportunities to accelerate your degree completion. You can also choose a minor to complement your major field.
Things to consider:
- Cost per credit: $421.80 (in-state); $1,522.80 (out of state)
- Credits required to graduate: 94 to 98
- Academic calendar: Traditional semester
- Graduation rate: 60%
More program information:
- Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 509-963-2611
Penn State World Campus
Best Scholarships
Penn State World Campus’s Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations program provides a strong foundation in mathematics and programming. In addition to foundational coursework in these areas, your degree also includes a cybersecurity capstone project and an optional internship. Both of these experiences give you a firsthand look at what it’s like to be a cybersecurity professional in the real world. Along the way to earning your bachelor’s degree, you can earn an associate degree or certificate in fields such as information sciences and technology or security and risk analysis. Many of the credits earned in these associate and certificate programs can also be applied to your bachelor’s degree. Penn State World Campus offers over 40 scholarships per year to new and continuing undergraduates.
Things to consider:
- Cost per credit: $592 to $632
- Credits required to graduate: 123
- Academic calendar: Traditional semester
- Graduation rate: 73%
More program information:
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 814-863-5386
Arizona State University Online
Best Tutoring Services
Arizona State University (ASU) Online’s Bachelor of Arts in Business with a concentration in Information Security program combines business and information security training. The curriculum helps you lay a solid foundation in all aspects of business and then builds upon that foundation with specialized data management and security courses, such as Global Supply Operations, Computer Forensics, and Business Database Concepts. ASU’s business school faculty include a Nobel laureate and National Academy of Sciences members, so you truly learn from the best. U.S. News and World Report ranks ASU #1 for best online bachelor’s in business programs. As an online student, you will have access to a range of free, live online academic support options, including one-on-one tutoring.
Things to consider:
- Cost per credit: $561 to $661
- Credits required to graduate: 120
- Academic calendar: Traditional semester
- Graduation rate: 54%
More program information:
- Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 480-884-1525
Drexel University
Best Part-Time Program
Drexel University’s Bachelor of Science in Computing and Security Technology program ensures that you gain real-world job experience in your field before graduating. Through the Drexel Co-Op program, you can work with someone of your choice from a list of more than 1,700 employers in 35 states and 45 international locations or conduct an independent search. This means you can graduate not just with a Drexel degree on your resume but also with powerful job experience. As a student in the BSCST program, you can participate in a four-year/one co-op program or in a five-year/three co-op program. In 2017, the Military Times named Drexel a top 10 cybersecurity program in the U.S., and in 2018 the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security recertified the university as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education.
Things to consider:
- Cost per credit: $435
- Credits required to graduate: 185
- Academic calendar: Traditional semester
- Graduation rate: 66%
More program information:
- Accreditation: Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 215-895-2474
Liberty University
Best Alumni Network
Liberty University’s Bachelor of Science in Information Systems program combines the study of datasecurity and cybersecurity with the university’s mission to “train champions for Christ.” Biblical principles undergird everything Liberty does, and graduating from the school can signal to employers that you take integrity and values seriously. The program’s flexibility allows you to complete your degree at your pace while you fulfill your other family and work responsibilities. As a student in the program, you also benefit from access to Liberty’s extensive network of students, faculty, and alumni, which could open a door to a career down the road. If you want an information system education grounded in Christian teachings, Liberty’s program could be a good fit.
Things to consider:
- Cost per credit: $390
- Credits required to graduate: 120
- Academic calendar: eight-week courses
- Graduation rate: 36%
More program information:
- Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 434-582-3000
Other Online Bachelor’s in Information Systems Security Programs to Consider
What You Should Know About This Degree
Computing and information systems are broad fields, and it’s important to understand the differences in focus and career options available to graduates of each degree. General computing degrees at the baccalaureate level cover a variety of computing subjects, while information systems security programs are much more focused.
The field of information systems security focuses on securing computer systems and networks. Specialists in this field consider issues such as privacy, intrusion detection, penetration testing, and robust coding practices. Security specialists may be expected to have an understanding of a wide variety of open source and proprietary software products and tools.
In addition to holding a degree, an information systems security specialist may find it beneficial to pursue professional certifications from bodies such as CompTIA or earn vendor-specific certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, or other major computer systems providers. These certifications must be renewed regularly to ensure the specialist has an up-to-date understanding of key concepts in the field.
What’s Next?
Here are some questions to ask when researching online bachelor’s in information systems security programs:
- Am I eligible for this program? Online bachelor’s in information systems security programs are open to students with a GED or mature students who are able to pass entry tests. Courses at the bachelor’s level do not require prior exposure to computer science and information systems-related topics.
- How long does it take to complete this online degree? Many of these online degrees offer both part-time and full-time study options. Full-time programs typically take three to four years to complete. Part-time programs may take up to twice that length of time.
When researching programs, consider the course schedule and costs, including continuing enrollment charges. You may find it is more affordable to complete the course quickly because you save on year-to-year enrollment fees.