Cybersecurity and artificial intelligence are rapidly converging fields—both essential to protecting data, systems, and infrastructures in a digital-first world. As the demand for skilled professionals grows, affordable education pathways are more important than ever. This guide highlights the cheapest cyber security degree online options that don’t sacrifice quality, while also exploring how AI is becoming a critical part of modern cyber defense strategies.
Why Cybersecurity and AI Now Go Hand in Hand
Artificial intelligence is no longer a future add-on in cybersecurity—it’s becoming foundational. As cyber threats grow in volume and complexity, AI-powered tools are helping organizations respond faster and more effectively. At the same time, new types of attacks are emerging that exploit AI systems themselves, requiring cybersecurity professionals to understand both sides of the equation.
Here are a few reasons the fields are increasingly intertwined:
- AI for Threat Detection: Machine learning models can identify suspicious patterns and anomalies in real time, improving the speed and accuracy of threat detection.
- Automated Response Systems: AI can help automate incident response protocols, reducing the time between detection and containment.
- Adversarial AI Threats: Deepfakes, spoofing tools, and AI-generated phishing attacks are creating new vulnerabilities that require AI-aware defenses.
- Integrated Curricula: Many cybersecurity programs now offer:
- Introductory courses in AI or machine learning
- Electives in intelligent systems or data science
- Specialized modules in AI-enhanced threat modeling or digital forensics
- Introductory courses in AI or machine learning
For students seeking long-term relevance in the cybersecurity workforce, exposure to AI concepts is quickly becoming essential.
Some of the Most Affordable Online Cyber Security Degree Programs
Many institutions—including several designated by the National Security Agency (NSA) as Centers of Academic Excellence (CAE)—offer rigorous, fully online bachelor’s programs in cybersecurity at surprisingly affordable rates. The programs highlighted below stand out for their combination of academic quality, online flexibility, and competitive tuition—especially for out-of-state students. Whether you’re a first-time student or a transfer applicant, these schools offer some of the most affordable online cybersecurity degree programs in the U.S.
Georgia Southern University – Online Bachelor of Information Technology (Cybersecurity Concentration)
Program Highlights:
Georgia Southern’s online Bachelor of Information Technology program offers a flexible, affordable path to a career in IT or cybersecurity. Delivered in partnership with the University System of Georgia’s eCampus, this 124-credit-hour degree features asynchronous online courses taught by the same faculty who teach on campus. Students can choose from three concentrations—Cybersecurity, Data Science, or Health Informatics—with the Cybersecurity concentration focusing on topics like ethical hacking, network defense, and IT infrastructure.
Key features include:
- 100% online, asynchronous format
- Top-ranked nationally for affordability and quality by Cybersecurity Guide (2024)
- Cybersecurity concentration offers specialized training in prevention, detection, and mitigation of cyber threats
- Required 280-hour internship provides real-world experience prior to graduation
- Shared curriculum and faculty with the on-campus IT program
Graduates are prepared for roles such as information security analyst, network administrator, and cybersecurity specialist in business, healthcare, government, and tech sectors.
Cost Breakdown:
- Tuition: $199 per credit hour for all students (in-state and out-of-state)
- Estimated total program cost (124 credits):$24,676
- No additional mandatory fees reported for online students through eCampus
- No additional mandatory fees reported for online students through eCampus
With one of the lowest per-credit tuition rates among CAE-designated institutions, Georgia Southern offers exceptional value for students seeking affordable, high-quality online cybersecurity education.
Kennesaw State University – Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
Program Highlights:
Kennesaw State’s fully online BS in Cybersecurity prepares students for high-demand careers safeguarding digital systems from cyber threats. The program blends deep technical training with coursework in business, management, and cybercrime, offering a well-rounded, interdisciplinary curriculum. Students explore topics such as security management, information assurance, and cyber operations, all taught by experienced faculty across the College of Computing and Software Engineering and the Coles College of Business.
Key features include:
- Flexible, fully online format with fall and spring entry terms
- 120 credit hour program designed for completion in four years
- Interdisciplinary approach incorporating technical, managerial, and legal perspectives
- Career-ready training for roles such as security analyst, vulnerability assessor, cybersecurity engineer, and more
- Double Owl Pathway option to accelerate into a master’s degree in cybersecurity, IT, or software engineering
The program is designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (CAE-CD) by the NSA and DHS, ensuring curriculum alignment with national workforce standards.
Cost Breakdown:
- Tuition: $190 per credit hour for undergraduate online courses
- Mandatory Online Learner Fee: $340 per semester
- Estimated total cost for 120 credits (including per-semester fees): approximately $25,520
- Based on 15 credits per semester over 8 semesters (4 years)
- Total includes $15,200 in tuition and $2,720 in fees
- Based on 15 credits per semester over 8 semesters (4 years)
Kennesaw State’s competitively low online tuition makes it one of the most affordable CAE-designated cybersecurity bachelor’s programs in the U.S., particularly for out-of-state students.
Northwest Missouri State University – Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems – Cybersecurity
Program Highlights
The Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems – Cybersecurity from Northwest Missouri State University is delivered fully online and emphasizes real-world, profession-based learning. The curriculum integrates technical training in cybersecurity, network fundamentals, systems analysis, and digital forensics with broader business and management competencies. Students benefit from a curriculum shaped by the university’s Professional Advisory Board, ensuring alignment with workforce needs. All courses are taught by faculty—not graduate assistants—and students can transfer in up to 90 credit hours toward the 120-credit degree.
Cost Breakdown
- Cost per credit hour: $347 (same rate for in-state and out-of-state students)
- Estimated total tuition: $41,640 for 120 credits
- Transfer credit savings: Students transferring 45 credits may reduce tuition to approximately $26,025
- Fees: All fees are included in tuition except a one-time $20.50 remote proctoring fee
- Books and technology: Not included in tuition; students must purchase separately
Fort Hays State University – B.S. in Information Networking and Telecommunications (Cybersecurity)
Program Highlights:
Fort Hays State University offers a flexible and affordable path into the cybersecurity field through its Bachelor of Science in Information Networking and Telecommunications with a concentration in Cybersecurity. The program is available both online and on campus, making it accessible to a broad range of students, including working professionals and those studying remotely.
The curriculum prepares students for roles such as cybersecurity analyst by focusing on real-world skills in threat analysis, system vulnerabilities, and cybersecurity response. Housed within the Department of Informatics, the degree encourages interdisciplinary exploration of data, technology, and media, allowing students to customize their learning while building a solid cybersecurity foundation.
Key features include:
- Available 100% online or on-campus
- Focus on cybersecurity analysis and real-world threat response
- Part of a flexible Informatics department with customizable learning paths
- Strong job market alignment, with reference to over 700,000 cybersecurity job openings nationwide (CyberSeek.org, 2022)
- Access to faculty support and industry-aligned instruction
Cost Breakdown:
- Online Tuition: $242.76 per credit hour
- Estimated cost per semester (15 credits): $3,641.40
- Estimated total program cost (120 credits): $29,131.20
With one of the lowest online tuition rates for a CAE-designated cybersecurity program, Fort Hays State offers strong value for students pursuing a flexible and career-ready degree in cybersecurity.
Bismarck State College – Bachelor of Applied Science in Cybersecurity and Information Technology
Program Highlights
Bismarck State College offers a practical, career-oriented Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degree in Cybersecurity and Information Technology, available fully online or on campus. The program emphasizes hands-on learning through coursework that aligns closely with industry demands and evolving cyber threats. Students gain applied experience in areas such as network security, cloud administration, virtualization, secure programming, and incident response.
The program is designed for both direct-entry students and those transferring with associate degrees or prior military/technical training. Flexible delivery options include synchronous online, asynchronous online, and on-campus formats, giving students multiple pathways to fit their learning preferences. Optional certificate tracks let students deepen their expertise in specialties like Offensive and Defensive Security or Secure Web Programming.
Cost Breakdown
- Tuition (300–400 level online courses): $237.43 per credit
- Estimated mandatory fees (per credit): $67.51
- Estimated cost per credit (tuition + fees): $304.94
- Estimated cost for 12 credits/semester: $3,659.28
- Estimated total program cost (120 credits): ~$36,593
Students residing in ND, MN, IA, SD, MT, ID, UT, CO, NE, KS, WY, and two Canadian provinces (MB, SK) may qualify for in-state tuition, further improving affordability.
The number of online cybersecurity degree programs continues to grow as more universities expand their digital offerings to meet workforce demand. The options listed here represent just a handful of affordable programs to help prospective students begin their search. Ultimately, the best online cybersecurity program for you will depend on factors such as your career goals, prior education or experience, preferred learning format, and budget. This list is intended as a starting point, not a comprehensive ranking. Tuition and fee data were gathered and verified as of 2025, but costs can change—prospective students should always consult official university sources for the most current and accurate information.
How AI Is Showing Up in Cybersecurity Curricula
Artificial intelligence is increasingly embedded in cybersecurity degree programs, reflecting real-world shifts in how organizations defend digital infrastructure. While not all programs offer formal AI concentrations, many include relevant coursework or projects.
Common ways AI appears in cybersecurity curricula include:
- Machine learning for intrusion detection: Courses often introduce supervised and unsupervised learning techniques to help identify anomalies in network behavior.
- AI in digital forensics: Some programs incorporate AI tools used to analyze and reconstruct cyber incidents from large datasets.
- Behavioral analytics and user profiling: Students may learn how AI models can detect insider threats based on behavioral deviations.
- AI-focused electives or minors: Tech-forward institutions may offer optional courses in deep learning, intelligent systems, or ethical AI practices alongside the core cybersecurity curriculum.
As AI continues to reshape the cybersecurity landscape, degree programs that address this intersection can offer graduates a competitive edge in the job market.
Tips for Reducing Costs Further
Even among the cheapest cyber security degree online options, students can take additional steps to lower their total expenses. Consider these strategies:
- Apply early for scholarships and financial aid. Many schools and external organizations offer merit-based and need-based awards specifically for cybersecurity or STEM students.
- Explore community college transfer pathways. Completing general education requirements at a community college before transferring to a four-year online program can significantly cut costs.
- Use employer tuition reimbursement. If you’re already working in IT or a related field, your employer may help cover tuition—especially for degrees tied to career advancement.
- Choose programs with flat-rate tuition. Some universities charge the same rate regardless of in-state or out-of-state residency, which can benefit online students nationwide.
Combining affordability with financial planning can help you graduate with minimal debt and strong job prospects.
FAQ
Are online cybersecurity degrees respected by employers?
Yes. As long as the program is regionally accredited and offers a solid curriculum, employers generally view online cybersecurity degrees as equivalent to on-campus programs—especially when paired with relevant certifications or work experience.
Do I need to be a programmer to succeed in this field?
While programming knowledge (often in Python or Java) is helpful, many entry-level roles in cybersecurity focus more on systems, networks, and security protocols. Some programs start with beginner-friendly coursework to build technical skills.
Will I study AI in a typical cybersecurity program?
Not always—but increasingly, yes. Many modern programs are incorporating electives in machine learning, AI-powered threat detection, or data analytics. These courses help students understand and apply emerging technologies in security contexts.
What certifications can I earn during the degree?
Many online programs align coursework with certification prep for credentials like CompTIA Security+, Network+, CISSP, CEH, or AWS Certified Security. Some even include discounted exam vouchers or embedded cert options.
Finding the Right Program for Your Goals
Choosing the cheapest cyber security degree online doesn’t mean compromising on quality. With the right combination of accreditation, curriculum, and AI relevance, many online programs can prepare you for a fast-changing security landscape. As you evaluate your options, keep long-term career goals in mind—especially if you’re interested in the intersection of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.
