Information Assurance and Cyber Security Degrees in Alaska

With a low population and few cities, cyber security opportunities in Alaska are heating up slowly. Almost half the state’s population is concentrated in the capital city of Anchorage and the surrounding municipality, and the vast majority of cyber security positions naturally cluster there. Two Alaskan schools offer cyber security degrees, one of which has been recognized for excellence by the NSA.

Alaska Cyber Security Jobs

It should come as no surprise that the majority of cyber security jobs in Alaska are based in the biggest and southernmost Anchorage. In addition to cyber security jobs serving IT and communications companies, there are a number of positions in Alaskan government offices and private industries, such as oil, which makes up nearly 85% of the state’s revenue. Alaska has one nation’s lowest levels of cyber security jobs, thanks in large part to the state’s small population. Nonetheless, the average salary for those with cyber security degrees in Alaska is not far below the national average, at around $90,335 according to Glassdoor.

Cyber Security Degrees in Alaska

Associate’s Degrees in cyber security are offered by University of Alaska Fairbanks, which awards an Associate of Applied Science in Information Technology- Network and Cyber Security. The program has been designated by the NSA as a “National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Security”.

Certificates in cyber security are offered by the University of Alaska Southeast, which offers a Healthcare Privacy & Security Certificate.

Cyber Security Resources in Alaska

Professional Association

Professional Association

Professional Association

UAF Cyber Security Club

Meetup

Other Resource: FBI/private partnership

Cyber Security Degree Providers in Alaska

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/CAE.

University of Alaska Fairbanks

Fairbanks, Alaska
$ $ $ $ $
Financial Aid Recipients
84%
Retention Rate
75%
NSA Designated
Yes
Degrees
  • Information Technology – Network and Cybersecurity AAS

University of Alaska Southeast

Juneau, Alaska
$ $ $ $ $
Financial Aid Recipients
77%
Retention Rate
56%
NSA Designated
No
Degrees
  • Healthcare Privacy & Security Certificate