2026 Best Value Cybersecurity Defense Schools

1

Washtenaw Community College
Ann Arbor, MI

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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,736, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Cybersecurity Defense graduates carry a median of $17,616 in student loans. 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.

2

Bristol Community College
Fall River, MA

Students looking for strong value in cybersecurity defense will find it at Bristol Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,832, while out-of-state students pay about $10,776. Typical student debt for cybersecurity defense graduates is $9,482. Soon after graduation, cybersecurity defense degree recipients from Bristol Community College generally make around $37,897. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN

Ivy Tech Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value cybersecurity defense schools. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Cybersecurity Defense graduates carry a median of $11,889 in student loans. Early-career cybersecurity defense graduates make about $40,734. Set against $11,889 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Washington State Community College
Marietta, OH

A rank of #4 makes Washington State Community College one of the best values for cybersecurity defense. Set in the town of Marietta, Washington State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,128, while out-of-state students pay about $4,152. Typical student debt for cybersecurity defense graduates is $16,291. Cybersecurity Defense graduates of Washington State Community College earn a median of $45,305 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,291 median debt.

5

Universidad Del Este
Carolina, PR

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Universidad Del Este earned it the #5 place for cybersecurity defense. 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. Cybersecurity Defense graduates carry a median of $15,167 in student loans. Early-career cybersecurity defense graduates make about $20,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

Charter Oak State College
New Britain, CT

Charter Oak State College came in at #6 for value in cybersecurity defense this year. Set in the suburb of New Britain, Charter Oak State College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,506. Typical student debt for cybersecurity defense graduates is $23,584. Cybersecurity Defense graduates of Charter Oak State College earn a median of $62,864 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,584 median debt.

7

Kennesaw State University
Kennesaw, GA

Kennesaw State University earned the #7 position for value in cybersecurity defense this year. Kennesaw State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kennesaw. Students from in state pay about $5,808 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. Cybersecurity Defense graduates carry a median of $27,004 in student loans. 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.

8

Boise State University
Boise, ID

Boise State University landed the #8 spot for cybersecurity defense value this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $27,788. Students borrow a median of $24,311 to complete the cybersecurity defense program here. 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%.

9

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value cybersecurity defense schools. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for cybersecurity defense graduates is $24,546. Soon after graduation, cybersecurity defense degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $49,736. That is a strong return on a $24,546 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.

10

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide
Daytona Beach, FL

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value cybersecurity defense schools. Located in the city of Daytona Beach, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $12,097 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,787 to complete the cybersecurity defense program here. Cybersecurity Defense graduates of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide earn a median of $94,550 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,787 median debt. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide admits about 58% of applicants.

11

Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA

Regent University earned the #11 position for value in cybersecurity defense this year. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,650. Students borrow a median of $29,451 to complete the cybersecurity defense program here. Soon after graduation, cybersecurity defense degree recipients from Regent University generally make around $67,561. Set against $29,451 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Regent University admits about 38% of applicants.

12

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University landed the #12 spot for cybersecurity defense value this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Cybersecurity Defense graduates carry a median of $25,213 in student loans. Cybersecurity Defense graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $54,166 early in their careers. Set against $25,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.

13

Montana State University
Bozeman, MT

Montana State University placed #13 among the best values for cybersecurity defense. Set in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,460, while out-of-state students pay about $33,287. Typical student debt for cybersecurity defense graduates is $23,635. Cybersecurity Defense graduates of Montana State University earn a median of $47,703 early in their careers. Set against $23,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.

14

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Blacksburg, VA

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #14 spot for cybersecurity defense value this year. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,393 to complete the cybersecurity defense program here. Early-career cybersecurity defense graduates make about $60,004. Set against $23,393 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.

15

University Of Charleston
Charleston, WV

University Of Charleston placed #15 among the best values for cybersecurity defense. University Of Charleston is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Charleston. Students from in state pay about $22,617 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,646 to complete the cybersecurity defense program here. Cybersecurity Defense graduates of University Of Charleston earn a median of $64,407 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 62%.

16

Hilbert College
Hamburg, NY

Hilbert College earned the #16 position for value in cybersecurity defense this year. Set in the suburb of Hamburg, Hilbert College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $33,740 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the cybersecurity defense program here. Early-career cybersecurity defense graduates make about $41,196. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.

17

Lasell College
Newton, MA

Lasell College earned the #17 position for value in cybersecurity defense this year. Located in the city of Newton, Lasell College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,040. Students borrow a median of $26,808 to complete the cybersecurity defense program here. Early-career cybersecurity defense graduates make about $49,793. Set against $26,808 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

18

Charter College Anchorage
Anchorage, AK

Charter College Anchorage landed the #18 spot for cybersecurity defense value this year. Charter College Anchorage is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Anchorage. In-state tuition and fees average $18,341. Cybersecurity Defense graduates carry a median of $19,411 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cybersecurity defense degree recipients from Charter College Anchorage generally make around $41,123. That is a strong return on a $19,411 median debt.

19

University Of New Haven
West Haven, CT

University Of New Haven came in at #19 for value in cybersecurity defense this year. University Of New Haven is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of West Haven. Students from in state pay about $47,332 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for cybersecurity defense graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, cybersecurity defense degree recipients from University Of New Haven generally make around $49,615. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.

20

City University Of Seattle
Seattle, WA

City University Of Seattle came in at #20 for value in cybersecurity defense this year. Located in the city of Seattle, City University Of Seattle is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $13,929 in tuition and fees. Cybersecurity Defense graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Cybersecurity Defense graduates of City University Of Seattle earn a median of $76,698 early in their careers. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

21

Baylor University
Waco, TX

Baylor University placed #21 among the best values for cybersecurity defense. Set in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,100. Typical student debt for cybersecurity defense graduates is $23,928. Soon after graduation, cybersecurity defense degree recipients from Baylor University generally make around $49,888. Set against $23,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Baylor University admits about 51% of applicants.