Information Assurance and Cyber Security Degrees in Kentucky
Demand is relatively high in Kentucky for professionals with cyber security degrees, particularly those who also hold additional certifications, such as Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), or Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) credentials. Seven schools in the state offer cyber security degrees, of which three are considered by the NSA to be “National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Security”.
Combined with a very low cost of living, this makes Bluegrass State a choice destination for students and professionals seeking cyber security opportunities.
Kentucky Cyber Security Jobs
The majority of cyber security opportunities in Kentucky are concentrated in Louisville, with Fort Knox and Lexington not far behind. Humana, one of the state’s five Fortune 500 Companies, regularly hires cyber security analysts to protect sensitive medical and financial data. Big tech employers include Crowe Horwath, an accounting and technology firm based in Lexington, and Agil3 Technology Solutions, a government cyber security contractor, in Fort Knox. The Bureau of Labor Statistics gives a mean wage of $ 76,920 for cyber security analysts. Although this falls below the national average of $92,600, keep in mind that this state has the 10th lowest cost of living index in the country, meaning that wages will go a long way.
Cyber Security Degrees in Kentucky
Associate’s Degrees in cyber security are available through
just two schools in the state. Sullivan University has an Associate of Science program in Network Security and Kentucky Community and Technical College System awards an AAS in Computer and Information Technologies with an Information Security Track.
Bachelor’s Degrees in cyber security are offered by Eastern Kentucky University, Kentucky State University, Sullivan University, and University of Louisville. The latter is recognized by the NSA as a “National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Security” (CAE).
Master’s Degrees in cyber security are available through three schools: Kentucky State University, Sullivan University, and University of the Cumberlands. The latter is designated as a CAE.
Certificates in cyber security are offered by Kentucky Community and Technical College System, Kentucky State University, Northern Kentucky University, and the University of Louisville. Of these, the latter two are considered by the NSA to be CAEs.
Cyber Security Resources in Kentucky
State Government Entity/Resource
Professional Association
Professional Association
Professional Association
Meetup
Other Resource: Conference
Other Resource: Conference
Other Resource: Research center
Cyber Security Degree Providers in Kentucky
Below we’ve included some of the most pertinent information for choosing a cyber security degree program. Affordability looked at the average in-state tuition rate (where applicable) and divided the range of tuition rates into five bins. Each bin contains a roughly $8,000 jump in tuition. So one $ contains schools from roughly $1,000 in in-state tuition to $9,000, $$’s contains schools from >$9,000 to $17,000, and so forth. Retention rate is one of the best predictors of undergraduate education quality. While the NSA/CAE designation marks programs deemed excellent by the NSA.
Eastern Kentucky University
98%
74%
No
Degrees
- B.S. in Network Security and Electronics
Kentucky Community and Technical College System
N/A%
N/A%
No
Degrees
- AAS in Computer and Information Technologies – Information Security Track Security+ Certificate
Kentucky State University
100%
60%
No
Degrees
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Science – Computer Information Security Option Cyber Security Certificate M.S. in Computer Science Technology – Cybersecurity Option
Northern Kentucky University
96%
72%
Yes
Degrees
- Certificate in Corporate Information Security Cybersecurity Certificate Secure Software Engineering Certificate
Sullivan University
99%
N/A%
No
Degrees
- Associate of Science in Network Security Bachelor of Science in Network Security Master of Science in Cyber Security
University of Louisville
97%
80%
Yes
Degrees
- BSBA in Computer Information Systems – Information Security Concentration Graduate Certificate in Network and Information Security
University of the Cumberlands
100%
66%
Yes
Degrees
- Master of Science in Information Systems Security