2027 Best Value Cybersecurity Defense Schools
[Cybersecurity Defense](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/cybersecurity-defense/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong cybersecurity defense education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 30 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for cybersecurity defense students.
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Finding the Best Value Cybersecurity Defense School for You
The cybersecurity defense program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Cybersecurity Defense Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Learn more about our methodology
Customizing Your List
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Cybersecurity Defense Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
2027 Best Value Cybersecurity Defense Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the cybersecurity defense degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Cybersecurity Defense Schools
Our analysis ranked Washtenaw Community College the best value for a degree in cybersecurity defense in the United States. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,736, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,616 to complete the cybersecurity defense program here. Cybersecurity Defense graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $45,332 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Delaware County Community College one of the best values for cybersecurity defense. Located in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,930, while out-of-state students pay about $15,540. Typical student debt for cybersecurity defense graduates is $14,866. Soon after graduation, cybersecurity defense degree recipients from Delaware County Community College generally make around $40,102. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in cybersecurity defense will find it at College Of Dupage, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Cybersecurity Defense graduates carry a median of $12,492 in student loans. Early-career cybersecurity defense graduates make about $43,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Big Sandy Community And Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in cybersecurity defense, landing the #4 spot this year. Big Sandy Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Prestonsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for cybersecurity defense graduates is $11,588. Cybersecurity Defense graduates of Big Sandy Community And Technical College earn a median of $33,956 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ivy Tech Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in cybersecurity defense, landing the #5 spot this year. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Cybersecurity Defense graduates carry a median of $11,889 in student loans. Cybersecurity Defense graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $40,734 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,889 median debt.
Washington State Community College came in at #6 for value in cybersecurity defense this year. Located in the town of Marietta, Washington State Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,128, compared with $4,152 for out-of-state students. Cybersecurity Defense graduates carry a median of $16,291 in student loans. Cybersecurity Defense graduates of Washington State Community College earn a median of $45,305 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny Empire State College landed the #7 spot for cybersecurity defense value this year. Suny Empire State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,648, compared with $17,558 for out-of-state students. Cybersecurity Defense graduates carry a median of $23,693 in student loans. Cybersecurity Defense graduates of Suny Empire State College earn a median of $58,140 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,693 median debt.
Universidad Del Turabo earned the #8 position for value in cybersecurity defense this year. Located in the suburb of Gurabo, Universidad Del Turabo is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,750. Students borrow a median of $14,155 to complete the cybersecurity defense program here. Early-career cybersecurity defense graduates make about $31,188. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Universidad Metropolitana placed #9 among the best values for cybersecurity defense. Set in the city of San Juan, Universidad Metropolitana is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $7,750 in tuition and fees. Cybersecurity Defense graduates carry a median of $15,074 in student loans. Cybersecurity Defense graduates of Universidad Metropolitana earn a median of $26,716 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Universidad Del Este earned the #10 position for value in cybersecurity defense this year. Set in the suburb of Carolina, Universidad Del Este is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,750. Typical student debt for cybersecurity defense graduates is $15,167. Cybersecurity Defense graduates of Universidad Del Este earn a median of $20,724 early in their careers. Set against $15,167 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kennesaw State University landed the #11 spot for cybersecurity defense value this year. Located in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,808, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,004 to complete the cybersecurity defense program here. Early-career cybersecurity defense graduates make about $53,824. That is a strong return on a $27,004 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Charter Oak State College earned the #12 position for value in cybersecurity defense this year. Charter Oak State College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of New Britain. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,506. Typical student debt for cybersecurity defense graduates is $23,584. Soon after graduation, cybersecurity defense degree recipients from Charter Oak State College generally make around $62,864. Set against $23,584 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Edward Waters College earned the #13 position for value in cybersecurity defense this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Edward Waters College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,366. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $34,782. Edward Waters College admits about 85% of applicants.
Michigan State University earned the #14 position for value in cybersecurity defense this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Cybersecurity Defense graduates carry a median of $25,213 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cybersecurity defense degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $54,166. That is a strong return on a $25,213 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide landed the #15 spot for cybersecurity defense value this year. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Daytona Beach. Students from in state pay about $12,097 in tuition and fees. Cybersecurity Defense graduates carry a median of $20,787 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cybersecurity defense degree recipients from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide generally make around $94,550. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Regent University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value cybersecurity defense schools. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,650. Students borrow a median of $29,451 to complete the cybersecurity defense program here. Early-career cybersecurity defense graduates make about $67,561. That is a strong return on a $29,451 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Wayland Baptist University landed the #17 spot for cybersecurity defense value this year. Set in the town of Plainview, Wayland Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $23,782 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,204 to complete the cybersecurity defense program here. Cybersecurity Defense graduates of Wayland Baptist University earn a median of $51,930 early in their careers. Set against $30,204 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wayland Baptist University admits about 56% of applicants.
Ohio University Main Campus came in at #18 for value in cybersecurity defense this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Cybersecurity Defense graduates carry a median of $24,546 in student loans. Early-career cybersecurity defense graduates make about $49,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Boise State University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value cybersecurity defense schools. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,048, with out-of-state students paying around $27,788. Cybersecurity Defense graduates carry a median of $24,311 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cybersecurity defense degree recipients from Boise State University generally make around $49,059. Set against $24,311 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Maryland University College earned the #20 position for value in cybersecurity defense this year. Located in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,136, compared with $12,336 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for cybersecurity defense graduates is $29,200. Soon after graduation, cybersecurity defense degree recipients from University Of Maryland University College generally make around $74,688. Set against $29,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of South Carolina Columbia landed the #21 spot for cybersecurity defense value this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,688, with out-of-state students paying around $36,298. Typical student debt for cybersecurity defense graduates is $24,537. Cybersecurity Defense graduates of University Of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of $53,623 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Robert Morris University came in at #22 for value in cybersecurity defense this year. Located in the suburb of Moon Township, Robert Morris University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $35,770. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the cybersecurity defense program here. Early-career cybersecurity defense graduates make about $69,872. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #23 among the best values for cybersecurity defense. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Typical student debt for cybersecurity defense graduates is $23,393. Early-career cybersecurity defense graduates make about $60,004. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Hilbert College came in at #24 for value in cybersecurity defense this year. Located in the suburb of Hamburg, Hilbert College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $33,740. Cybersecurity Defense graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career cybersecurity defense graduates make about $41,196. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Hilbert College admits about 97% of applicants.
California Baptist University placed #25 among the best values for cybersecurity defense. Located in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,228. Students borrow a median of $28,169 to complete the cybersecurity defense program here. Early-career cybersecurity defense graduates make about $51,999. That is a strong return on a $28,169 median debt. California Baptist University admits about 85% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 30 Best Value Cybersecurity Defense Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for cybersecurity defense this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
