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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Cybersecurity Defense Bachelor’s Degree Schools

5 Colleges in the United States
$25,975 Avg Student Debt
$53,979 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Cybersecurity Defense Bachelor's Degree Badge [Cybersecurity Defense](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/cybersecurity-defense/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong cybersecurity defense education at a price that pays off.

College Factual analyzed 78 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value cybersecurity defense schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 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

1

Charter Oak State College earned the #1 spot for value among cybersecurity defense schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of New Britain, Charter Oak State College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,506 in tuition and fees. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

A rank of #2 makes Kennesaw State University one of the best values for cybersecurity defense. Kennesaw State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kennesaw. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,808, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Cybersecurity Defense graduates carry a median of $27,004 in student loans. Cybersecurity Defense graduates of Kennesaw State University earn a median of $53,824 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,004 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.

3

Students looking for strong value in cybersecurity defense will find it at Boise State University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Early-career cybersecurity defense graduates make about $49,059. Set against $24,311 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Boise State University admits about 87% of applicants.

4
Regent University crest
Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Regent University earned it the #4 place for cybersecurity defense. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,650. Typical student debt for cybersecurity defense graduates is $29,451. Soon after graduation, cybersecurity defense degree recipients from Regent University generally make around $67,561. That is a strong return on a $29,451 median debt. Regent University admits about 38% of applicants.

5

A rank of #5 makes University Of Charleston one of the best values for cybersecurity defense. University Of Charleston is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Charleston. In-state tuition and fees average $22,617. Typical student debt for cybersecurity defense graduates is $22,646. Cybersecurity Defense graduates of University Of Charleston earn a median of $64,407 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,646 median debt. University Of Charleston admits about 62% of applicants.

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Hilbert College crest
Hilbert College
Hamburg, NY

Hilbert College landed the #6 spot for cybersecurity defense value this year. Hilbert College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hamburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,740. Cybersecurity Defense graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Cybersecurity Defense graduates of Hilbert College earn a median of $41,196 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Hilbert College admits about 97% of applicants.

7
Lasell College crest
Lasell College
Newton, MA

Lasell College placed #7 among the best values for cybersecurity defense. Set in the city of Newton, Lasell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. 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. Lasell College admits about 81% of applicants.

8
University Of New Haven crest
University Of New Haven
West Haven, CT

University Of New Haven landed the #8 spot for cybersecurity defense value this year. Located in the suburb of West Haven, University Of New Haven is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $47,332. Cybersecurity Defense graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cybersecurity defense degree recipients from University Of New Haven generally make around $49,615. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of New Haven admits about 60% of applicants.

Other Cybersecurity Defense Degree Levels

Explore the best-value cybersecurity defense schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Cybersecurity Defense
Associate's Degrees in Cybersecurity Defense
Master's Degrees in Cybersecurity Defense
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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 78 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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