Information Assurance and Cyber Security Degrees in Kansas

Demand is high in Kansas for professional equipped with cyber security degrees. The state ranked 10th in the nation, according to Burning Glass, for increase in cyber security job postings. Kansas is a choice destination for cyber security students as well as professionals. Three out of the six schools in Kansas that award cyber security degrees are considered by the NSA to be “National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Security”.

Kansas Cyber Security Jobs

While most careers in cyber security are to be found in a state’s most populous city, the majority of such jobs in Kansas are based in Overland Park, the headquarters for such cyber security companies as Optiv and UnitedLex. FireMon and LockPath, also located in Overland Park, made Cyber Security Venture’s “Cybersecurity 500”, a ranking of top companies in the field. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a mean wage of $73,080 for information security analysts, significantly lower than the national average of $92,600. This discrepancy, however, is largely offset by the state’s remarkably low cost of living; Kansas is the eighth most inexpensive state in which to live.

Cyber Security Degrees in Kansas

Associate’s Degrees in cyber security are available through just one school in Kansas. Butler Community College awards an Associate in Applied Science in Cyber Security.

Bachelor’s Degrees in cyber security are offered by Fort Hays State University, which is recognized by the NSA as a “National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Security” (CAE). The school offers a bachelor’s in Information Networking and Telecommunications with a Concentration in Computer, as well as a Bachelor’s in Networking and Telecommunications with Information Assurance Emphasis.

Master’s Degrees in cyber security are available through a total of four schools, three of which have been designated as CAEs by the NSA.

Certificates in cyber security are offered by two schools: Manhattan Area Technical College, a CAE, and Butler Community College.

Cyber Security Resources in Kansas

State Government Entity/Resource

Professional Association

Professional Association

DefCon 316

Meetup

(ISC)² Wichita Chapter Cyber Security Meetup

Other Resource: Symposium

Cyber Security Degree Providers in Kansas

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.

Butler Community College

El Dorado, Kansas
$ $ $ $ $
Financial Aid Recipients
65%
Retention Rate
59%
NSA Designated
No
Degrees
  • ssociate in Applied Science in Cyber Security Certificate B in Cyber Security

Fort Hays State University

Hays, Kansas
$ $ $ $ $
Financial Aid Recipients
97%
Retention Rate
71%
NSA Designated
Yes
Degrees
  • BA or BS in Information Networking and Telecommunications, Concentration: Computer Networking and Telecommunications with Information Assurance Emphasis Master of Professional Studies – Cybersecurity Master of Professional Studies – Information Assurance Management

Friends University

Wichita, Kansas
$ $ $ $ $
Financial Aid Recipients
100%
Retention Rate
63%
NSA Designated
No
Degrees
  • Master of Science in Cyber Security Master of Science in Information Security

Kansas State University

Manhattan, Kansas
$ $ $ $ $
Financial Aid Recipients
87%
Retention Rate
85%
NSA Designated
Yes
Degrees
  • Master of Science in Engineering – Security Specialization Security with CS Degree

Manhattan Area Technical College

Manhattan, Kansas
$ $ $ $ $
Financial Aid Recipients
93%
Retention Rate
49%
NSA Designated
Yes
Degrees
  • CNSS 4011 Certificate – Information System Security Professionals (INFOSEC)

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas
$ $ $ $ $
Financial Aid Recipients
82%
Retention Rate
81%
NSA Designated
Yes
Degrees
  • Master of Science in Information Technology – Focus Area: Information Security and Assurance