10 Great Value Colleges for an Online Associate in Network Security

online cyber security associate's degree

An associate degree in network security can be a great foot in the door to an IT career or the budget-minded beginnings of a bachelor’s degree in the tech industry. Looking for an associate degree that can be completed 100% online while you continue to meet your personal and professional obligations? The twenty-first century has got you covered. This list of 10 great value colleges for an online associate degree in network security was compiled to help you find schools that offer quality education at affordable rates.

Online education requires a different set of skills than on-campus classwork. Most schools with online programs will have a quick online assessment you can take to see how your abilities stack up in this area. The other box you must check before you can enroll is to make sure that the school you have chosen is authorized to provide educational services in the state where you reside. Not all schools are authorized in every state and this information is constantly changing, so it is worth a quick check before you enroll.

Interested in pursuing an accelerated online associate degree? Check out our ranking of the Fastest Online Associate Degree Programs!

We put together this list of 10 great value colleges for an online associate in network security with an eye on tuition value (ten points), relevancy of the curriculum to the demands of the field (ten points), and the amount of emphasis a school places on individual attention, as evidenced by the student to faculty ratio (ten points). Bonus points were awarded in the cases of national recognition for excellence in online education or superlative student services for digital learners. In case of a tie on points, schools were ranked in order of decreasing tuition.

All tuition, enrollment, and faculty to student ratio numbers come from the National Center for Education Statistics, a service of the US government. The tuition rate quoted is the out-of-state rate, where applicable.

#10 – University of Phoenix

Phoenix, Arizona

Online AA in Information Technology with an Information Assurance and Security Certificate

Website
Points: 20
Enrollment: 95,777
Tuition: $9,552

10 Great Value Colleges for an Online Associate in Network Security: University of Phoenix

The University of Phoenix allows you to evaluate relevant work experience for possible college credit. With a student to faculty ratio of 55:1, their online associate of arts in information technology with an information assurance and security certificate is a 60 credit hour program that includes coursework in IS security concepts and wireless networking concepts. The University of Phoenix offers online access to the Phoenix Career Guidance System that can help you narrow down the career options that are right for you. They are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

#9 – Seminole State College of Florida

Sanford, Florida
Online AS in Network Systems Technology

Points: 21
Enrollment: 18,104
Tuition: $11,456

10 Great Value Colleges for an Online Associate in Network Security: Seminole State College of Florida

Seminole State College of Florida embraces the core values of integrity, respect, excellence, academic freedom, and learning. With a student to faculty ratio of 27:1, their online associate of science in network systems technology is a 60 credit hour program that includes coursework in Cisco scaling networks and configuring Windows devices. The career development center at Seminole State College of Florida provides services and resources relating to career choice and educational development. They are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.

#8 – Baker College

Flint, Michigan

Online AAS in Information Technology with a Cybersecurity Concentration

Points: 22
Enrollment: 9,332
Tuition: $9,920

10 Great Value Colleges for an Online Associate in Network Security: Baker College

Baker College sees its mission as providing education that leads to success. With a student to faculty ratio of 8:1, their online associate of applied science in information technology with a cybersecurity concentration is a 95 credit hour program that includes coursework in database management and firewall architecture. The career services office at Baker College is there to match up employers, recent graduates, and alumni. They are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

#7 – Lake Superior College

Duluth, Minnesota

Online AAS in Network Administration and Cybersecurity

Website
Points: 22.5
Enrollment: 5,281
Tuition: $5,334

10 Great Value Colleges for an Online Associate in Network Security: Lake Superior College

Lake Superior College has the third lowest tuition in the Minnesota State college system. With a student to faculty ratio of 21:1, their online associate of applied science in network administration and cybersecurity is a 72 credit hour program that includes coursework in computer user support and ethical hacking and systems defense. Lake Superior College offers students access to the GPS Life Plan software for self-assessment and career planning assistance. They are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

#6 – Community College of Allegheny County

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Online AS in Cybersecurity

Points: 23
Enrollment: 16,086
Tuition: $11,605

10 Great Value Colleges for an Online Associate in Network Security: Community College of Allegheny County

The Community College of Allegheny County returns $6.67 to the local economy for every publicly invested $1.00. With a student to faculty ratio of 18:1, their online associate of science in cybersecurity is a 60-67 credit hour program that includes coursework in intrusion detection and prevention and computer forensics. The career development and planning office at the Community College of Allegheny County offers job placement and career services assistance. They are accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

#5 – Cerro Coso Community College

Ridgecrest, California

Online AAS in Cybersecurity Technology

Website
Points: 23.5
Enrollment: 6,074
Tuition: $7,702

10 Great Value Colleges for an Online Associate in Network Security: Cerro Coso Community College

Cerro Coso Community College began educating in 1973 and serves an 18,000 mile, four-county region of California. With a student to faculty ratio of 24:1, their online associate of science in cybersecurity technology is a 60 credit hour program that includes coursework in computer network fundamentals and system and network administration. The career center at Cerro Coso Community College can help individuals with resume writing and interview skills. They are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges.

#4 – Guilford Technical Community College

Jamestown, North Carolina

Online AAS in Cybercrime Technology

Points: 24.5
Enrollment: 10,520
Tuition: $7,695

10 Great Value Colleges for an Online Associate in Network Security: Guilford Technical Community College

Guilford Technical Community College offers a total of 197 degrees, diplomas, and certificates across 90 different programs. With a student to faculty ratio of 18:1, their online associate of applied science in cybercrime technology is a 67-69 credit hour program that includes coursework in data recovery techniques and constitutional law. The career services office at Guilford Technical Community College offers workshops and one-on-one appointments for online students. They are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.

#3 – Cincinnati State Technical and Community College

Cincinnati, Ohio

Online ASS in Computer Network Engineering Technology-Cyber-Security

Website
Points: 25
Enrollment: 8,205
Tuition: $8,379

10 Great Value Colleges for an Online Associate in Network Security: Cincinnati State Technical and Community College

Cincinnati State Technical and Community College offers more than a hundred associate degrees and certificates across four schools, business technologies, health and public safety, engineering and information technologies, and humanities and sciences. With a student to faculty ratio of 13:1, their online associate of applied science in computer network engineering technology-cyber-security is a 61 credit hour program that includes coursework in scripting and IT documentation. The career center at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College can help with career planning and set you up with real-world experience in your chosen field. They are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

#2 – Removed by editor

#1 – Minnesota State College Southeast

Red Wing and Winona, Minnesota

Online AAS in Cyber and Information Security

Website
Points: 26
Enrollment: 1,850
Tuition: $5,686

10 Great Value Colleges for an Online Associate in Network Security: Minnesota State College Southeast

Minnesota State College Southeast sees its mission as providing lifelong learning and technical training. With a student to faculty ratio of 16:1, their online associate of applied science in cyber and information security is a 60 credit hour program that includes coursework in wireless communications and networking fundamentals. Minnesota State College Southeast offers access to the website GPS Lifeplan, which can help with goals and career decision making. They are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

This concludes the list of 10 great value colleges for an online associate degree in network security.

This ranking was updated in July 2020.

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