Information Assurance and Cyber Security Degrees in North Carolina

Manufacturing and agriculture; finance and banking services; research, technology, and healthcare: North Carolina’s diverse economy makes it one of the best states in the US for cyber security opportunities. In particular, the Research Triangle, composed of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, is a major talent magnet and the state’s most educated, business- and tech-savvy region, boasting top-tier employers and research universities. At least a dozen North Carolina colleges and universities have degrees in cyber security, half of which align with CAE standards set by the NSA and DHS.

Cyber Security Jobs in North Carolina

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, North Carolina information security analysts earn between $100-120k per year in mean wages, which is above the national average. Charlotte, Durham, Raleigh, and Cary are among the state’s biggest employment hubs, but plenty of smaller areas offer cyber jobs as well: Southeast Coastal North Carolina ranks among the top 5 nonmetropolitan areas for information security employment, concentration, and pay. Entry- and senior-level IS roles make up a third of job openings, but the majority are quality mid-level roles at businesses like Wells Fargo, Bank of America, BB&T, TEKSystems, MetLife, DXC Technology, and General Dynamics Information Technology. North Carolina’s large military presence offers opportunities for professionals in cyber defense, ethical hacking, engineering, and other security fields.

Cyber Security Degrees in North Carolina

Certificates in cyber security are available from nearly a dozen schools, including East Carolina University, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and several community colleges.

Associate degrees in cyber security are offered by Craven Community College, Forsyth Technical Community College, and Rowan-Cabarrus Community College

A bachelor’s concentration in cyber security is available from University of North Carolina at Charlotte (BA in Software and Information Systems).

Master’s degrees in cyber security are available at North Carolina A & T State University, which offers two computer science tracks with concentrations in Cyber Security and Secure Software Engineering; and University of North Carolina at Charlotte, which offers two master’s in IT with concentrations in Network Security Administration and Secure Software Development. A PhD in Computing and Information Systems is offered, as well.

The 5 Best Cyber Security Degree Providers in North Carolina

Perhaps unsurprisingly, there are many high quality cyber security (and related field) degree providers in the state of North Carolina. We’ve taken a look at all cyber security degree providers in the state (and you can too in our directory below) and pulled out the top programs based on our detailed ranking methodology. Factors in the ranking of a school include whether they are an NSA Center of Academic Excellence, the range of cyber security-related degrees offered, and a wide range of metrics checking out academic quality, affordability, return on investment, and student satisfaction. For a detailed rundown of our ranking methodology as well as national cyber security degree rankings, check out our rankings page.

1. Rowan-Cabarrus Community College

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College (RCCC) is a public 2-year institution located in Salisbury, North Carolina. There are 5,338 students enrolled, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 12:1. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredits RCCC to award associate’s degrees and professional certifications. According to Carnegie RCCC classifies as a high vocational and technical mixed college. To support their students RCCC offers remedial help, academic counseling, career counseling, employment for their students, and even credits for life experience. The degree offerings reflect their mission and include programs in welding, cosmetology as well as biotechnology, information technology, and more. To further aid their nontraditional learners, RCCC offers online degree and currently offers 250 online associate’s, professional certifications, and diplomas.

RCCC offers a number of cyber security-related certifications and degrees including the following: Online Certification in Cyber Investigations, Online Certification in Cybercrime Essentials, Online Certification in Security Fundamentals, and their Associate in Applied Science in Cyber Security, Associate in Applied Science in Cybercrime and Digital Forensics. We selected this school for their affordable tuition rate and for the quality of academics. You won’t need to worry whether your certification has clout as RCCC is a NSA CAE designated institution. We like this option for any individual who needs an affordable route to a great high-paying career.

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• Average Net Price Undergrad: $4,780

Online Cyber Security Degree Programs

• Online Certification in Cyber Investigations, Online Certification in Cybercrime Essentials, Online Certification in Security Fundamentals
• Associate in Applied Science in Cyber Security, Associate in Applied Science in Cybercrime and Digital Forensics.

2. East Carolina University

East Carolina University (ECU) is a public research institution located in Greenville, North Carolina. There are 28,962 students enrolled, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 18:1. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredits ECU to award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctor’s degrees as well as professional certifications. According to U.S. News ECU ranks as the 207th best school in the nation, 113th top public school, 14th best school for online graduate criminal justice programs, 18th best online graduate education programs, 34th best online graduate nursing programs, 91st best online MBA programs, and 143rd for best online bachelor’s programs. As you can see, ECU works hard to ensure that nontraditional students find great online options. To support their students, ECU offers remedial help and academic and career counseling. Their academic offerings are wide-ranging and vast including programming in urban planning, African-American studies, Adult and Continuing Education, Apparel and Textiles, Foreign languages, Medicine, Art History and more. ECU currently offers over 50 online degrees and professional certifications.

ECU provides quality online degrees and certifications. The university offers an online certification in information assurance. We selected this program for the high quality of the programming and the affordable tuition rate. For this certification you will study five classes: Internet Research Methods, Information Security Management, Fundamental Network Security, Network Intrusion Detection and Incident Response, and Legal and Ethical Issues in Information Technology. The average job in information assurance pays $85,000 per year according to Glassdoor. We view this program as a sound investment in yourself. To top it of this course has a NAE-CAE designation.

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• Average Net Price Undergrad: $12,817

Online cyber Security Degree Programs

• Online Certification in Information Assurance

3. Craven Community College

Craven Community College is a public 2-year institution located in New Bern, North Carolina. There are 2,883 students enrolled, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 14:1. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredits Craven CC to award associate’s degrees, diplomas, and professional certifications. Carnegie classifies Craven CC as a high transfer mixed traditional/nontraditional institution. The college supports their students with remedial help, academic counseling, career counseling, and even credit for life experience. As with a number of community colleges, Craven’s academic offerings are vocational in nature or ready students for life in a 4-year program. Students study, business, health and IT as well as mechanics, nursing, welding and more. Currently Craven CC offers 20 online degrees and professional certifications.

Craven Community College offers a number of cyber security-related degrees including their Associate in Applied Science in Cybersecurity. This 2-year degree may be completed either full-time or part-time and requires 74 credit hours for completion. The diploma in information technology with an emphasis in cyber security requires 4 semesters for completion and is just 45 credit hours. You will study web, programming, and DB foundations, network and security foundations, computer ethics, operating concepts, hardware and software support, and Linux. Craven Community College also offers a number of certifications programs in related areas including their Cyber Security Administration Certificate, Cyber Security Concepts Certificate, Cybersecurity Technician Certificate, Information Assurance Concepts Certificate.

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• Average Net Price Undergrad: $8,028

Cyber Security Degree Programs

• Online Certification in Cyber Security, Cyber Security Administration Certificate, Cyber Security Concepts Certificate, Cybersecurity Technician Certificate, Information Assurance Concepts Certificate
• Associate in Applied Science in Cybersecurity

4. North Carolina A&T State University

North Carolina A&T State University (NCAT) is a public 4-year institution located in Greensboro, North Carolina. There are 11,177 students enrolled, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 19:1. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredits NCAT to award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctor’s degrees as well as professional certifications. According to U.S. News NCAT ranks as the 231st best university in the nation, 8th for historically black colleges and universities, and 40th for online graduate computer information technology programs. The university supports its students with remedial help, academic counseling, career counseling, and placement for completers. When it comes to academics NCAT offers a wide-range of programs including in agricultural economics, information technology, nanotechnology, romance languages, and graphic design. Currently, NCAT offers 10 online degrees and certifications.

NCAT offers two advanced degrees in Cyber Security: The Master of Science in Cyber Security and the Master of Science in Secure Software Engineering. All students entering these programs must be fluent in a “high-level” language such as Java, C,and C++. We selected this program for the affordable tuition rate and high percentage of student satisfaction. If you are worried about designation, don’t sweat it. NCAT is a NSA-CAE designated institution. For a fast track to a high paying job, you can’t go wrong with a master’s degree in cyber security.

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• Average Net Price Undergrad: $9,548

Cyber Security Degree Programs

• Master of Science in Cyber Security; Master of Science in Secure Software Engineering

5. University of North Carolina at Greensboro

University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) is a public 4-year institution located in Greensboro, North Carolina. There are 19,647 students enrolled, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 18:1. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredits UNCG to award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctor’s degrees as well as professional certifications. According to U.S. News UNCG ranks as the 231st best school in the nation, 11th best school for online graduate nursing programs, 27th best school for online graduate computer information technology, 31st best school for online graduate education programs, and 165th best school for online bachelor’s programs. The university supports their students with academic counseling, career counseling, and placement for graduates. When it comes to academics, UNCG offers a wide-range of degrees including in fields like architecture, education, foreign language, psychology, computer information sciences, and the performing arts. UNCG currently offers 20 online degrees.

UNCG offers a graduate certificate in cyber security. This course is for individuals who have already hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or institution. We like this program for the affordable tuition and for the high percentage of student satisfaction. You will learn about information security and privacy technologies to equip you for a job in information assurance. Students with a master’s degree may also be eligible for the post-graduate program in information technology. This program is presented from a business perspective. If you are in the field of business and looking for more in depth information in cyber security, this program may be the right fit.

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• Average Net Price Undergrad: $10,403

Cyber Security Programs

• Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security

Cyber Security Resources in North Carolina

Cyber Security Degree Providers in North Carolina

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.