Find programs
A man in a cap and glasses reading lines of code across his monitors in a dim room

2027 Rankings

Best Online IT Degrees at NSA-Designated Schools in 2027

These online IT degrees at NSA-designated schools are ranked below. An online IT degree at an NSA-designated school comes from a college or university that the National Security Agency has named a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense, or CAE-CD. The designation belongs to the institution, not to your degree, so it tells you about the school's cybersecurity program and not about the specific IT program you'd enroll in.

Founder & Editor · B.S. in Computer Science, Temple UniversityUpdated

  • 66programs ranked
  • $470median online rate per credit
  • 25states

Key Points

  • Carnegie Mellon University's Information Technology, MS ranks first, scoring 82.5 of 100 on graduation rate, earnings after graduation, total tuition and accreditation.
  • Total published tuition runs from $11,005 to $229,800, with a median of $57,347 across the 40 programs that publish both an online rate and a credit total.
  • 10 of 66 are self-paced, with no scheduled class meetings, which suits students working full time.
  • 8 hold ABET accreditation.
  • All 66 can be completed fully online. 29 are at public schools, and the list spans 25 states.

Want to narrow this list? Filter these programs by cost, format and accreditation in the Program Finder

How We Ranked Each Online IT Degree at an NSA-Designated School

Only programs the school says can be completed fully online are included, and the order comes from each program's score.

Each program's score out of 100 adds up four measures. The school's graduation rate counts for 40%. Median earnings one year after completion count for 25%. Total published online tuition counts for 25%, and lower is better. Accreditation counts for 10%: ABET accreditation earns all 10 points, and a school designated a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense by the NSA and DHS earns 5.

On graduation rate, earnings and tuition, a program earns credit for how many programs on this list it beats. When a school doesn't publish one of these figures, that measure counts at the middle of the list, so the gap neither helps nor hurts.

A 100 would take first place on all four at once, so real scores sit well below it. That is why a score in the 50s or 60s is still a strong result here: a program scoring 50 places ahead of 33 of the 66 programs on this list (50%), and one scoring 60 places ahead of 44 (67%).

Scores compare programs on this page only, so a score here can't be set against one on another ranking page.

Methodology.

The 25 Best Online IT Degrees at CAE-CD Schools for 2027

Scores compare each program with the other 65 on this list on graduation rate, early earnings, tuition and accreditation. A 100 would mean the best result on every measure at once, and no program gets there: the top program here scores 82.5 and the median program 50.1.

  1. No.1 82.5score of 100

    Carnegie Mellon University

    Information Technology, MS

    • Pittsburgh, PA
    • Private nonprofit
    • Fully online

    Security is one of three concentrations at Heinz College, and the one built around defense is Information Security & Assurance. The security track welcomes students from non-technical fields as well as technical ones, so a manager moving toward security work does not need a computing degree to qualify. The school carries the CAE-CD designation, and this track is where the designation matters most.

    Students choose one concentration of three, the others being Information Technology Management and Business Intelligence & Data Analytics. Database Management and Managing Digital Business serve as foundation courses in the management path. The program is online and part time, with six to eight semesters to finish. There are three entry points, which fall in late August, early January and mid-May. Classmates range from early career professionals to seasoned executives, such as a software engineer sitting beside a pharmaceutical executive.

    Online tuition
    $620 per credit
    Graduation rate
    94%school-wide
    Median earnings
    $138,7811 year after
    Graduates in this field
    6322023-24, all formats
    Accreditation
    MSCHE, CAE-CD schoolMiddle States Commission on Higher Education
    Starts
    January, May, August
    Visit Carnegie Mellon’s MS in Information Technology Compare
  2. No.2 80.6score of 100

    George Mason University

    Applied Information Technology, MS

    • Fairfax, VA
    • Public
    • Fully online

    A Cyber Security concentration is offered fully online at George Mason, a university with the CAE-CD designation. Students in that track take six courses in the concentration after four core courses, which together make up the 30-credit degree. The core includes Algorithms and Data Structures Essentials and AI-Augmented Database Management Systems, giving security students a base in how data is handled.

    Two other concentrations are available online, one in data analytics and intelligence methods and one in machine learning engineering. Online coursework matches the campus version in content and evaluation. Courses are condensed into eight weeks each, taken singly, which suits students who want to concentrate on one security topic at a time. The school expects applicants to arrive with experience in the fundamentals of IT.

    Online tuition
    $950 per credit$28,500 total for 30 credits
    Credits
    30
    Graduation rate
    68%school-wide
    Median earnings
    $130,0141 year after
    Graduates in this field
    512023-24, all formats
    Accreditation
    SACSCOC, CAE-CD schoolSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
    Visit George Mason’s MS in Applied Information Technology Compare
  3. No.3 75.0score of 100

    New Jersey Institute of Technology

    Information Technology Administration and Security, MS

    • Newark, NJ
    • Public
    • Fully online

    Security runs through this 30-credit master's from start to finish. It appears as a component of the core courses and also as its own dedicated security course, so students meet it in both settings. The school is a CAE-CD institution, and the program's name puts administration and security side by side for that reason.

    The degree covers how to administer a modern IT environment and keep it secure, from underlying concepts and principles to day to day techniques. Students gain extensive practical experience doing IT administration, which means the work is hands on rather than purely theoretical. Delivery is online, and the program sits in the Ying Wu College of Computing. Graduates are prepared for leadership jobs such as IT administration manager, enterprise application administrator, or web services, database, network and security administrator. Course details and prerequisites are in the graduate catalog, which is worth reading before applying.

    Credits
    30
    Graduation rate
    73%school-wide
    Median earnings
    $93,6211 year after
    Graduates in this field
    172023-24, all formats
    Accreditation
    MSCHE, CAE-CD schoolMiddle States Commission on Higher Education
    Visit NJIT’s MS in IT Administration and Security Compare
  4. No.4 72.8score of 100

    Illinois Institute of Technology

    Information Technology and Management, MAS

    • Chicago, IL
    • Private nonprofit
    • Fully online

    AI for Cybersecurity is one of the sample courses here, and Illinois Tech carries the CAE-CD designation, which makes this master's a fit for security-focused students. Cybersecurity is both a topic in the program and a specialization option, alongside applied data science and IT management. Students work through real projects and laboratory instruction rather than lectures alone.

    The broader curriculum covers data analytics, software development and IT infrastructure. Cloud Computing Technologies has students completing projects with various cloud technologies, and Applied Artificial Intelligence and Deep Learning rounds out the sample list. The degree is STEM designated and totals 30 credits. A student can finish in two years in person, online or as a hybrid. Applicants use the Illinois Tech graduate application, and since individual programs may add requirements, the department welcomes questions before you apply.

    Credits
    30
    Graduation rate
    75%school-wide
    Median earnings
    $85,9751 year after
    Graduates in this field
    1212023-24, all formats
    Accreditation
    HLC, CAE-CD schoolHigher Learning Commission
    Visit Illinois Tech’s MAS in IT and Management Compare
  5. No.5 72.0score of 100

    Temple University

    Information Science and Technology, MS

    • Philadelphia, PA
    • Public
    • Fully online

    Software security and digital forensics are named among the topics in this master's, and Temple holds the CAE-CD designation. Those subjects sit alongside database design and programming, software engineering methods, quality assurance and testing, and a first look at data structures and coding. A student interested in security therefore builds general technical skills as well as the specialty.

    Applied work is the focus. Evening classes run online or in person, and study can be part time or full time. It is built for people arriving from other fields, so none of this assumes a computer science background. Outside perspective is possible too, since a handful of graduate courses may come from other departments if they relate to the field, which leaves room beyond the technical core.

    Online tuition
    $1,023 per credit$30,690 total for 30 credits
    Credits
    30
    Graduation rate
    75%school-wide
    Graduates in this field
    62023-24, all formats
    Accreditation
    MSCHE, CAE-CD schoolMiddle States Commission on Higher Education
    Format
    Live and self-paced, courses from 16 weeks
    Transfer credits
    Up to 6
    Starts
    Fall, Spring
    Visit Temple’s MS in Information Science and Technology Compare
  6. No.6 71.2score of 100

    George Mason University

    Information Technology, BS

    • Fairfax, VA
    • Public
    • Fully online

    Security shows up in this program at more than one level. George Mason's Information Technology BS counts cybersecurity among its core IT areas, next to information systems, networking and web technologies, and students can choose the Cyber Security concentration from the four on offer. The program also carries the NSA CAE-CD tag on its card.

    Graduates who want to keep studying in the field are pointed to Mason's fully online MS in Applied Information Technology, which has a Cyber Security concentration. The undergraduate degree is 120 credits, delivered 100% online, and closes with a senior design project that ends in IT 493. ABET's Computing Accreditation Commission has accredited the program.

    Credits
    120
    Graduation rate
    68%school-wide
    Median earnings
    $78,8001 year after
    Graduates in this field
    4162023-24, all formats
    Accreditation
    SACSCOC, ABET, CAE-CD schoolSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
    Starts
    January, August
    Visit George Mason’s BS in Information Technology Compare
  7. No.7 69.8score of 100

    Champlain College

    Information Technology, MS

    • Burlington, VT
    • Private nonprofit
    • Fully online

    Champlain is a CAE-CD school, and security work is built into the required courses. The Practice of Digital Investigations and Managing Risk in IT Organizations are both on the list. Students then choose a graduate certificate, and Digital Forensics & Incident Response is the natural pick for a security-minded student. Other options are Business Management, Data Science, and Software Engineering & Project Management.

    The degree is delivered entirely online for people who already hold jobs, with a capstone in information technology at the end. It totals 30 to 33 credits, and terms start in January, March and May. Students who take two courses per term can expect about a year of study at 18 to 20 hours a week. The program suits those with technical backgrounds, including computer and information systems, software development and web design, and applicants must show earlier IT and forensics preparation.

    Online tuition
    $608 per credit$20,064 total for 33 credits
    Credits
    33
    Graduation rate
    65%school-wide
    Graduates in this field
    42023-24, all formats
    Accreditation
    NECHE, CAE-CD schoolNew England Commission of Higher Education
    Format
    Courses from 7 weeks
    Starts
    January, March, May
    Visit Champlain’s MS in Information Technology Compare
  8. No.8 65.8score of 100

    Webster University

    MS in Information Technology Management

    • Saint Louis, MO
    • Private nonprofit
    • Fully online

    Webster carries the NSA CAE-CD designation, and this MS in Information Technology Management is a management-focused option. The coursework centers on planning, implementing, using and maintaining emerging and converging technologies, with a focus on tying people, processes and technology to an organization's strategic growth. Specific courses and a set number of credit hours also count toward eligibility for the PMP exam, which suits graduates heading into project-led roles.

    Study is available online or at the St. Louis and San Antonio campuses. Start dates come five times a year, and terms run eight weeks. Taking one class a term finishes in 30 months, while two a term can bring that down to 14 months at the fastest. Classmates include IT professionals building management skills alongside people from nursing and engineering who are learning IT. An MBA/MS dual degree is also offered.

    Online tuition
    $800 per credit
    Graduation rate
    64%school-wide
    Median earnings
    $92,9441 year after
    Graduates in this field
    5302023-24, all formats
    Accreditation
    HLC, CAE-CD schoolHigher Learning Commission
    Format
    Courses from 8 weeks
    Prepares for
    Project Management Professional (PMP) eligibility
    Visit Webster’s MS in IT Management Compare
  9. No.9 65.2score of 100

    New York University

    Bachelor of Science in Information Systems and Technology

    • New York, NY
    • Private nonprofit
    • Fully online

    New York University's Bachelor of Science in Information Systems and Technology carries the NSA CAE-CD tag, and students who want security depth can elect cybersecurity study or take the Network and Cybersecurity specialization. Other electives can lean toward software engineering, data analytics or information systems management.

    The 120-credit degree pairs a Liberal Arts Core with a second core in Information Systems and Technology that teaches programming, project management, systems analysis and database design. The latest technology, AI included, is built into each course. Students can finish 100% online, mix online and onsite courses, or stay onsite, starting in fall, spring or summer and studying full time or part time. Up to 80 credits transfer in, and internships, capstone projects or senior seminars tie the work to the field.

    Online tuition
    $1,915 per credit$229,800 total for 120 credits
    Credits
    120
    Graduation rate
    88%school-wide
    Median earnings
    $87,6081 year after
    Graduates in this field
    762023-24, all formats
    Accreditation
    MSCHE, CAE-CD schoolMiddle States Commission on Higher Education
    Transfer credits
    Up to 80
    Starts
    Fall, Spring, Summer
    Visit NYU’s BS in Information Systems and Technology Compare
  10. No.10 64.1score of 100

    Liberty University

    Master of Science in Information Technology

    • Lynchburg, VA
    • Private nonprofit
    • Fully online

    Liberty's Master of Science in Information Technology comes from a school with the NSA CAE-CD designation. The courses include Computer Networks, Database Design and Development, Statistical Analysis and Data Mining, plus an Integrated Capstone, with networking and databases taught around modeling and design. The mission is producing IT professionals who hold a Christian worldview, and you learn to build IT systems and networks that match business goals.

    Delivery is 100% online in 8-week courses, though a few courses may require intensive or alternative formats with scheduled meeting times. Discussion boards keep you in regular contact with peers, which builds leadership and collaboration. A specialization can deepen your focus. You may transfer up to 50% of the degree total.

    Online tuition
    $600 per credit
    Graduation rate
    65%school-wide
    Median earnings
    $85,5691 year after
    Graduates in this field
    242023-24, all formats
    Accreditation
    SACSCOC, CAE-CD schoolSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
    Format
    Courses from 8 weeks
    Starts
    January, February, October
    Visit Liberty’s MS in Information Technology Compare
  11. No.11 63.7score of 100

    Towson University

    Applied Information Technology, MS

    • Towson, MD
    • Public
    • Fully online

    Towson holds the CAE-CD designation, and the security coursework here comes through two of the eight graduate certificates: computer forensics and information security and assurance. Computer forensics includes AIT 650 Computer & Network Forensics and Incident Response, AIT 660 Mobile Device Forensics and AIT 745 Case Studies in Computer Forensics. After the certificate you add five graduate courses to reach 30 units.

    You choose between a 100% online path and a hybrid one, and the forensics certificate is among three that need some in-person courses. Evening classes are offered in the fall, spring and summer semesters, on campus and online. The flat per-course tuition rate for masters-level AIT courses applies.

    Online tuition
    $1,911 per course
    Credits
    30
    Graduation rate
    69%school-wide
    Graduates in this field
    422023-24, all formats
    Accreditation
    MSCHE, CAE-CD schoolMiddle States Commission on Higher Education
    Visit Towson’s MS in Applied Information Technology Compare
  12. No.12 62.5score of 100

    Loyola University Chicago

    Information Technology BA

    • Chicago, IL
    • Private nonprofit
    • Fully online

    Loyola University Chicago's Information Technology BA belongs to the NSA CAE-CD tier, and the 39-credit major introduces IT systems, networking and security early on while following current industry standards. From there it moves into IT management, web development, project management, object-oriented software development, Java programming and network administration.

    Delivery is fully online in 8-week sessions, with full-time or part-time attendance and rolling admission. Start terms are Summer, Fall I, Fall II and Spring I. A 2.0 minimum GPA and official transcripts from every school attended are required, and as many as six courses (18 credit hours) can count toward the degree. After 90 hours, students may apply to the dual BA/MS in Information Technology. The program is designed for working adults.

    Online tuition
    $860 per credit
    Graduation rate
    73%school-wide
    Median earnings
    $68,9501 year after
    Graduates in this field
    112023-24, all formats
    Accreditation
    HLC, CAE-CD schoolHigher Learning Commission
    Format
    Courses from 8 weeks
    Transfer credits
    Up to 18
    Starts
    Fall I, Fall II, Spring I, Summer
    Visit Loyola Chicago’s BA in Information Technology Compare
  13. No.13 62.4score of 100

    Stevenson University

    Cybersecurity & Digital Forensics, Bachelor's

    • Owings Mills, MD
    • Private nonprofit
    • Fully online

    Incident Response and Investigation comes alongside Intrusion and Penetration Testing and Forensic Evidence Collection Tools and Techniques in this cybersecurity and digital forensics degree, with Network Security covering firewalls, IDS and countermeasures. The school is a CAE-CD designated institution. Students practice with Kali Linux, Splunk, Metasploit, Wireshark, Autopsy, FTK Imager, EnCase and Magnet Axiom, and they learn to monitor network infrastructure for attacks and to prepare evidence reports from digital forensics work.

    The degree is 100% online and totals 120 credits. Finishing earns a diploma and two certificates of completion (Digital Forensics Examiner, Digital Media Collector) that can be traded in for Department of Defense training course credit. Applicants need a 2.0 cumulative GPA, a high school transcript if they are first-time students, and college transcripts from transfers with 15 or more credits. Up to 30 credits can come from prior learning.

    Online tuition
    $470 per credit$56,400 total for 120 credits
    Credits
    120
    Graduation rate
    68%school-wide
    Graduates in this field
    492023-24, all formats
    Accreditation
    MSCHE, CAE-CD schoolMiddle States Commission on Higher Education
    Visit Stevenson’s Bachelor’s in Cybersecurity and Forensics Compare
  14. No.14 62.2score of 100

    American Public University System

    Associate of Science in Computer Technology

    • Charles Town, WV
    • Private for-profit
    • Fully online

    The school carries the NSA CAE-CD designation, and this 60-credit Associate of Science in Computer Technology is its entry-level path into technology. The coursework is practical and less math- and theory-intensive, covering the basics of computing, web development, productivity software and programming. You assemble a simple computer system out of suitable hardware and software and finish projects that show you can use technology.

    Security credentials come up as a complement to the degree: it pairs well with CompTIA Security+ and A+, and graduates can go on to earn the CIW or Microsoft Office Specialist Excel credentials. Courses are online, begin each month and run 8 to 16 weeks, with up to 45 credits accepted in transfer. Intended paths include IT help and technical support roles, as well as network support and database and systems administration.

    Online tuition
    $360 per credit$21,600 total for 60 credits
    Credits
    60
    Graduation rate
    57%school-wide
    Graduates in this field
    1952023-24, all formats
    Accreditation
    HLC, CAE-CD schoolHigher Learning Commission
    Format
    Courses from 8 weeks
    Transfer credits
    Up to 45
    Starts
    Monthly
    Prepares for
    Microsoft Office Specialist Excel, CIW
    Visit APUS’s AS in Computer Technology Compare
  15. No.15 62.1score of 100

    Colorado Christian University

    Associate of Science in Computer Information Technology

    • Lakewood, CO
    • Private nonprofit
    • Fully online

    Colorado Christian carries the NSA CAE-CD designation, and this associate degree gives you the first layer of technical skills before any specialization. The program centers on beginner computer programming, internet development, software and application design, and database development and administration. Fifteen of the 60 credit hours sit in the major core, and the remainder are general education courses and electives, all taught with a faith-based, Christ-centered outlook.

    Delivery is 100% online. You take courses one at a time, typically in five-week blocks, and you can begin at the start of any adult studies course, so entry points are spread across the year. Admission calls for the online adult undergraduate application, photo ID issued by a state, plus proof that you finished high school, for example a diploma, a GED or a transcript. Transfer credit policies can speed up the degree, and it supports entry-level work in technical support, coding, web design and operating systems.

    Online tuition
    $494 per credit$29,640 total for 60 credits
    Credits
    60
    Graduation rate
    64%school-wide
    Graduates in this field
    22023-24, all formats
    Accreditation
    HLC, CAE-CD schoolHigher Learning Commission
    Format
    Courses from 5 weeks
    Visit Colorado Christian’s AS in Computer IT Compare
  16. No.16 62.0score of 100

    Drexel University

    Information Systems, MS

    • Philadelphia, PA
    • Private nonprofit
    • Fully online

    Cybersecurity approaches are one of the specialist areas in Drexel's online master's, and the university holds the CAE-CD designation. The remaining areas are human-centered computing, data and knowledge management, and software and systems development, so security is studied in context rather than in isolation. Required courses touch on human computer interaction and information systems management as well as software development, and electives reach into data mining and healthcare informatics.

    The approach analyzes what information a user needs and then designs solutions to meet it. The degree suits practicing specialists and professionals with business sense. It is 45 quarter credits and fully online, and a typical student takes about two years. Students can customize the degree, taking one course a term or a heavier load, depending on how much time a security career change leaves them.

    Online tuition
    $1,400 per credit$63,000 total for 45 credits
    Credits
    45quarter credits
    Graduation rate
    78%school-wide
    Graduates in this field
    62023-24, all formats
    Accreditation
    MSCHE, CAE-CD schoolMiddle States Commission on Higher Education
    Transfer credits
    Up to 9
    Starts
    January, September
    Visit Drexel’s MS in Information Systems Compare
  17. No.17 61.9score of 100

    Kennesaw State University

    Master of Science in Information Technology

    • Kennesaw, GA
    • Public
    • Fully online

    IT Security is one of four concentrations in Kennesaw State's master's, and the school carries the CAE-CD designation. The others focus on data analytics, AI and cloud, and enterprise management. Across all of them, the program is aimed at running and joining up IT systems, which gives the security track a systems wide view.

    Students can choose face-to-face or online study. The degree totals 30 credit hours, and a pathway is available for career changers. Admission looks for a bachelor's degree, a statement of purpose and a resume. Foundation courses are available to students who did not study computing as undergraduates, so the security track is not closed to people coming from other majors.

    Online tuition
    $405 per credit$12,150 total for 30 credits
    Credits
    30
    Graduation rate
    52%school-wide
    Graduates in this field
    722023-24, all formats
    Accreditation
    SACSCOC, CAE-CD schoolSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
    Starts
    Fall, Spring, Summer
    Visit Kennesaw State’s MS in Information Technology Compare
  18. No.18 60.7score of 100

    Champlain College

    Information Technology, BS

    • Burlington, VT
    • Private nonprofit
    • Fully online

    The Bachelor of Science in Information Technology at Champlain College Online is tagged as an NSA CAE-CD school, and security is built into the course list through Foundations of Cybersecurity and a cybersecurity fundamentals strand. Networking Fundamentals, Introduction to Operating Systems and Web and Server Administration Proficiency sit beside it.

    Programming is covered too, with Introduction to Python and skills in multiple languages. Other courses include Internet of Things (IoT) and Edge Computing, Cloud Computing Architecture and Solutions, and Relational Database Design and SQL. Students close with a technical internship or a senior seminar project. The degree totals 120 credits, including 48 professional credits. Classes begin in January, March or May, and the program is flexible and transfer-friendly.

    Online tuition
    $342 per credit$41,040 total for 120 credits
    Credits
    120
    Graduation rate
    65%school-wide
    Median earnings
    $72,6521 year after
    Graduates in this field
    112023-24, all formats
    Accreditation
    NECHE, CAE-CD schoolNew England Commission of Higher Education
    Format
    Courses from 7 weeks
    Transfer credits
    Up to 90
    Visit Champlain’s BS in Information Technology Compare
  19. No.19 60.7score of 100

    Champlain College

    Cybersecurity, BS

    • Burlington, VT
    • Private nonprofit
    • Fully online

    Champlain College Online teaches digital forensics in a Forensic VDI, where labs run from creating a hash value with X-Ways Forensics and FTK Imager to examining evidence with The Sleuth Kit, Autopsy or EnCase. The school holds a CAE-CD designation. Cloud Computing Security, Introduction to Python and Networking & Security (with Wireshark and NMAP as supporting tools) round out the core, and the skills you build span intrusion detection and ethical hacking as well as database management and digital forensics. An independent Senior Seminar Project closes the degree.

    The bachelor's totals 120 credits across 54 professional, 42 general education and 24 elective credits, and you can transfer up to 90. Two courses a term takes an estimated 3 years, 6 months, with 15 to 18 hours of work weekly per course. Terms start in January, March and May. Prior-learning credit can shorten the path.

    Online tuition
    $342 per credit$41,040 total for 120 credits
    Credits
    120
    Graduation rate
    65%school-wide
    Median earnings
    $72,6521 year after
    Graduates in this field
    1152023-24, all formats
    Accreditation
    NECHE, CAE-CD schoolNew England Commission of Higher Education
    Format
    Courses from 7 weeks
    Transfer credits
    Up to 90
    Visit Champlain’s BS in Cybersecurity Compare
  20. No.20 60.5score of 100

    University of Mary

    Cybersecurity, BS

    • Bismarck, ND
    • Private nonprofit
    • Fully online

    Securing and defending digital systems across a variety of professional situations is the first outcome this online cybersecurity bachelor's lists, followed by designing secure environments with network technologies and guiding how an organization uses technology strategically. Online study is flexible, and lab activities take place in realistic environments, at a school with CAE-CD designation.

    Three kinds of student are named: people new to cybersecurity, cybersecurity and IT professionals looking to move up, and aspiring leaders in the field. Terms begin in Fall, Spring and Summer, and with transferred credits the degree can be done in as little as 2.5 years. Transfer applicants need at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA. You can ask for prior-learning credit by testing or by submitting a portfolio, including for military service.

    Online tuition
    $510 per credit
    Graduation rate
    67%school-wide
    Graduates in this field
    22023-24, all formats
    Accreditation
    HLC, CAE-CD schoolHigher Learning Commission
    Starts
    Fall, Spring, Summer
    Prepares for
    ISC2 Cybersecurity, CYSA+, PCNSA, Network+ (stackable Cybersecurity Credential Program)
    Visit University of Mary’s BS in Cybersecurity Compare
  21. No.21 60.3score of 100

    Grand Canyon University

    Master of Science in Information Technology

    • Phoenix, AZ
    • Private for-profit
    • Fully online

    Grand Canyon University carries the NSA CAE-CD designation, and this master's puts security into the core of its IT content. Students work with high-level cybersecurity methods and with information assurance and security, next to advanced cloud computing, infrastructure design and networking technologies. Advanced system analysis and design and data management round out the technical side, while professionalism and leadership courses address the business side of the work.

    The degree is 34 credits, delivered online in 8-week courses. Graduates are prepared to pursue advancement into IT management and executive-level leadership roles. Applicants can come from a technology background or a business one. Transfer is capped at 12 credits or a third of the program, whichever is lower.

    Online tuition
    $610 per credit$20,740 total for 34 credits
    Credits
    34
    Graduation rate
    43%school-wide
    Median earnings
    $97,2861 year after
    Graduates in this field
    2172023-24, all formats
    Accreditation
    HLC, CAE-CD schoolHigher Learning Commission
    Format
    Self-paced, courses from 8 weeks
    Transfer credits
    Up to 12
    Visit GCU’s MS in Information Technology Compare
  22. No.22 60.0score of 100

    Drexel University

    Computing & Security Technology, BS

    • Philadelphia, PA
    • Private nonprofit
    • Fully online

    Drexel holds a CAE-CD designation, and this computing and security technology bachelor's trains for roles in system administration and cybersecurity. Every student picks one of two concentrations, Computing Security or Computing Technology. A stated outcome is designing, implementing and evaluating a system, process, component or program that meets a stated need.

    The program is fully online and self-paced, organized into four 10-week quarters per year, and totals 185 quarter credits. Up to 90 quarter credits can transfer from any accredited institution with a grade of C or better, and recently earned IT certifications may add credit, with CompTIA, Microsoft, Oracle, Cisco, SANS Institute and Red Hat named. It is designed for working adults who hold an associate degree or about two years of college work, including IT staff seeking a career change.

    Online tuition
    $621 per credit$114,885 total for 185 credits
    Credits
    185
    Graduation rate
    78%school-wide
    Median earnings
    $78,0891 year after
    Graduates in this field
    762023-24, all formats
    Accreditation
    MSCHE, CAE-CD schoolMiddle States Commission on Higher Education
    Format
    Courses from 10 weeks
    Transfer credits
    Up to 90
    Starts
    March, September
    Visit Drexel’s BS in Computing and Security Technology Compare
  23. No.23 59.4score of 100

    Syracuse University

    Cybersecurity Administration, BPS

    • Syracuse, NY
    • Private nonprofit
    • Fully online

    Digital infrastructure protection, network security, risk management and cybersecurity strategy form the center of this Bachelor of Professional Studies, offered by a CAE-CD designated school. You learn to spot and assess threats, vulnerabilities and risks, work through cyber incidents and build response strategies, and consider the legal, ethical and policy side. Sample courses include Digital Forensics, Enterprise Risk Management and Securing Artificial Intelligence.

    Live class sessions and interactive course videos deliver the material. The degree runs about 40 courses, or 120 to 123 credits, and you can transfer up to 90. Starts come in December, January, March, May, June and August. It is built for working professionals and adult learners. To apply, send a completed application, a personal statement, a resume and transcripts.

    Online tuition
    $750 per credit$90,000 total for 120 credits
    Credits
    120
    Graduation rate
    84%school-wide
    Graduates in this field
    62023-24, all formats
    Accreditation
    MSCHE, CAE-CD schoolMiddle States Commission on Higher Education
    Format
    Live and self-paced, courses from 8 weeks
    Transfer credits
    Up to 90
    Starts
    January, March, May, June, August, December
    Visit Syracuse’s BPS in Cybersecurity Administration Compare
  24. No.24 59.0score of 100

    University of the Cumberlands

    Information Technology, MS

    • Williamsburg, KY
    • Private nonprofit
    • Fully online

    The University of the Cumberlands holds the CAE-CD designation, and the program has a direct security aim. Graduates are expected to apply predictive analytics for spotting cyber threats and for driving policy changes based on data, and the degree strengthens technical skill in cybersecurity and data analytics next to IT leadership.

    Data work supports that aim. Required courses include Business Intelligence, Introduction to Data Mining and Cloud Computing, followed by Database Systems and Human Computer Interaction and Usability. Leadership comes through Organization Leadership and Decision Making plus Operational Excellence. The 31 credit hours close with a project in information technology. Delivery is entirely online, and the curriculum assumes a related bachelor's degree as the starting point.

    Online tuition
    $355 per credit$11,005 total for 31 credits
    Credits
    31
    Graduation rate
    50%school-wide
    Graduates in this field
    9412023-24, all formats
    Accreditation
    SACSCOC, CAE-CD schoolSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
    Format
    Self-paced, courses from 8 weeks
    Visit Cumberlands’s MS in Information Technology Compare
  25. No.25 58.7score of 100

    Purdue University Global

    Information Technology, MS

    • West Lafayette, IN
    • Public
    • Fully online

    Purdue Global is a CAE-CD school, and its online Master of Science in Information Technology offers a cybersecurity concentration for students who want that direction. The concentration develops skills in IT security auditing and assessments, computer forensics, cryptography, network defense, and ethical hacking. It is one of five optional concentrations, along with data analytics, project management, artificial intelligence, and AWS cloud technologies.

    Concentrations are built from the electives in a degree of 10 core and 5 elective courses, 60 quarter credits in all. Students need a bachelor's degree, and people changing careers or coming from an IT-related field are eligible. Completed IT certification exams may count toward credit. The program is entirely online with multiple start dates, and practicing IT professionals do the teaching.

    Online tuition
    $420 per credit$25,200 total for 60 credits
    Credits
    60quarter credits
    Graduation rate
    50%school-wide
    Median earnings
    $84,1331 year after
    Graduates in this field
    2172023-24, all formats
    Accreditation
    HLC, CAE-CD schoolHigher Learning Commission
    Visit Purdue Global’s MS in Information Technology Compare

What CAE-CD Means for Online IT Degrees at NSA-Designated Schools

A CAE-CD designation is the National Security Agency’s way of recognizing a school whose cyber defense education meets published standards. The NSA sponsors the program, and the CAE community describes the designation as one that goes to institutions that commit to producing cybersecurity professionals who reduce vulnerabilities in national infrastructure. The agency lists 454 designated institutions, and the 66 online programs ranked on this page come from schools on that list.

Read the designation as a statement about the school. It is not a seal on your diploma. A school earns it by applying, and the CAE community explains that the NSA awards the designation after a review. Any regionally accredited two-year, four-year, and graduate-level institutions in the United States can apply, which is why you will find community colleges, large public universities and small private colleges on the same list.

The Four Designation Types

There are four types. CAE-CD covers cyber defense, which is the one this page is about. CAE-R is for cyber research, CAE-CO is for cyber operations, and CAE-CAI is the CyberAI program of study for schools that already hold CAE-CD or CAE-CO. Schools pursue different types, so check the exact letters before you rely on a brochure line such as “NSA designated.”

The distinction matters for an IT student because this page is about the defense designation, and a school that holds one of the other types has been reviewed for a different purpose.

Renewal and What the Designation Brings

A designated school must reapply every five academic years, so a designation you see on a school’s website can be out of date. The NSA does not provide funding to designated schools. What the designation does is open doors: a designated school can compete for grants such as the Department of Defense Cyber Service Academy and can apply for the NSF Scholarship for Service program, which funds students who agree to work in government after graduation.

For you, the practical effect is indirect. The designation shows that the school went through the NSA-sponsored application and review, and it does not guarantee a job or replace certifications. Think of it as evidence that the school takes security seriously, which you then verify against the degree you would actually take.

Institution-Level Designation Versus Program Accreditation for Online IT Degrees

Three kinds of recognition show up on these pages, and they answer different questions. Institutional accreditation says the school as a whole is legitimate. ABET accreditation says one named computing program meets a published standard. CAE-CD says the school’s cyber defense education has been reviewed by the NSA. A strong online IT degree can hold all three or only the first.

Institutional Accreditation

All 66 programs here sit at an institutionally accredited school, which is also a condition for the designation. The most common accreditors are the Higher Learning Commission with 27 programs, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges with 18, and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education with 12. This is the recognition that matters for federal financial aid, credit transfer and graduate admission. The database of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation lets you check any school. Our guide to how employers view online IT degrees covers what else a hiring manager looks at.

ABET Accreditation

ABET reviews individual programs, and 8 programs on this page hold ABET accreditation as well as a CAE-CD school. George Mason University’s online Information Technology, BS lists “Accreditation: ABET” on its program page, and Western Governors University states that its B.S. in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance is ABET accredited. Florida A&M describes its online IT major as designed to satisfy ABET program criteria. Search the ABET accredited program list to confirm the exact program, and read our ABET-accredited online IT degrees ranking if program-level review is your priority.

Why the Difference Matters

An IT degree from a designated school is not automatically part of the designated program. The CAE community says an institution or program applies for re-designation, so a designation can be tied to a particular program at a school. If your degree sits in a different college of the same university, the designation may describe a program you are not enrolled in.

How to Verify All Three

Use the CAE community’s institution map to confirm the school’s current designation and the designation types it holds. Then ask admissions two questions in writing: which department holds the designation, and whether your specific online IT degree falls under it. A clear answer takes one email.

How Many Online IT Degrees Are Offered at CAE-CD Schools?

The ranking holds 66 online programs from schools in 25 states. Of those, 29 are at public institutions, 31 at private nonprofit schools and 6 at private for-profit schools. The list includes Capella, Excelsior, Franklin and Western Governors.

What the List Mixes

The page combines associate, bachelor’s and master’s programs, and that changes how you should read it. The program ranked first is the Information Technology, MS at Carnegie Mellon University, and the Applied Information Technology, MS at George Mason University is second. New Jersey Institute of Technology, Illinois Institute of Technology and Temple University follow. All five of those are master’s programs, so a bachelor’s or associate student should scroll for programs at their own level instead of reading the top five as the answer.

Who Holds the Designation

Community colleges sit on the list beside research universities. Bismarck State College offers an associate in applied science that combines cybersecurity with system and network administration, and its classes can be taken online or on campus. Ivy Tech Community College runs a fully online cloud technologies associate. Associate programs can be a route into a bachelor’s. Ask any school where you are headed how its associate coursework counts, since that decides whether the cheaper first two years save you money.

Overlap with Our Other Rankings

The designation runs through the site. 18 of the programs in the online cybersecurity degrees ranking come from designated schools, and so do 17 in the online IT master’s degrees ranking. For the broadest bachelor’s comparison, begin at the best online IT bachelor’s degrees page and treat this one as a filter.

What the Ranking Rewards

Inside the designated pool, the order follows the same score as the other scored rankings: graduation rate (40%), median earnings one year after finishing (25%), total published tuition (25%) and ABET accreditation or a CAE-CD designation (10%). Delivery format and certification prep are not scored. The methodology page lists the weights. Price is the factor to read carefully, because totals mix degree levels and credit systems. Where a school publishes a total price, the median is $57,347, and totals run from $11,005 to $229,800. The lowest totals belong to short master’s programs such as those at University of the Cumberlands and Kennesaw State, and the highest to private bachelor’s programs such as New York University’s, so a figure only means something next to programs at your level.

What You Study in an Online IT Degree at a CAE-CD School

Course sequences differ more than the program names suggest, so the useful way to compare is to read the published curriculum. Four ranked programs show the range.

A Security-Heavy Bachelor’s Sequence

Champlain College’s online B.S. in Cybersecurity splits its degree into professional courses, general education and electives. Its professional core covers intrusion detection, ethical hacking, database management and digital forensics, with labs that run in a forensic virtual desktop environment, and the degree closes with a Senior Seminar Project. The program is 120 credits and runs in 7-week terms.

A Networking-Focused Sequence

Dakota State University’s Cyber and Network Security, BS is a Cisco Networking Academy member. After Networking I, Networking II and Routing & Switching, the program says students are prepared for the CCNA certification, which is how a degree and a Cisco CCNA exam line up in one plan. The coursework also covers servers, routers, switches, firewalls and defensive hacking.

A Dual-Track Sequence

The University of Missouri-St. Louis pairs core coursework in Programming and Data Structures, Secure Software Development, and Information Security Risk Management and Business Continuity with an emphasis area. The emphasis menu includes Data Networks and Security, Database Management Systems and Applied Cryptography for Business. Students also get access to a sandboxed private cloud lab.

A Master’s Sequence

Temple University’s Information Science and Technology MS covers data structures and introduction to coding, software engineering methods, database design and programming, and software security and digital forensics. It accepts students from fields such as biology and business with no computer science background.

Delivery and Schedule

13 programs state a delivery format. Of those, 10 are fully asynchronous, 3 combine live and recorded sessions, and 0 require scheduled live meetings only. Asynchronous delivery suits shift workers, while live sessions give you faster feedback. Read each program’s page for how labs and exams are handled.

An IT degree focuses on running and securing systems, while computer science leans toward theory and software design. The split is covered in our IT versus computer science guide, and degrees built wholly around security are in the cybersecurity ranking above.

What Online IT Degrees at CAE-CD Schools Cost

Cost depends on school control first and level second. The table shows per-credit tuition on semester-credit rates, grouped by who runs the school. Some quarter-credit schools in the ranking use different units, so compare totals as well as rates.

School controlLowMedianHigh
Public, in-state$76$236$1,023
Public, any student$192$492$1,035
Private nonprofit$342$502$1,915
Private for-profit$360$360$610

Sample sizes differ by row. The public in-state row draws on 17 programs and the private nonprofit row on 24. The for-profit row rests on only 3 programs, so read its median as the price at a few schools and not as a market rate. Rates also leave out books, technology and exam proctoring costs.

Public Residency Rules

13 public programs charge different rates to in-state and out-of-state online students, and 11 charge one rate to everyone. On its cybersecurity bachelor’s, Old Dominion University charges Virginia residents $281 per credit and everyone else $972. Dakota State lists $374 for residents and $492 otherwise. Kennesaw State’s online cybersecurity bachelor’s comes to $192 per credit.

Fees Beyond Tuition

30 programs publish fees on top of tuition. George Mason University lists a $35/credit distance learning fee, and Webster University lists $100 per credit hour for Success Studies (GSS 5000); $150 matriculation fee; $50 application fee. Towson University lists: $14 per unit technology fee, up to $143 per term. Add these to the per-credit rate before you compare two schools. A distance learning fee charged per credit can add up to a meaningful sum across a full degree.

Flat-Rate Pricing

3 programs bill a flat amount each term, so a heavier course load spreads the flat price over more credits. The other 53 price by the credit, so a lighter semester costs less.

Paying for It

Most of these schools take federal aid, which starts with the FAFSA at studentaid.gov. Veterans and service members can check what the VA education benefits page says about online study. Some employers offer tuition assistance, and the terms vary, so ask HR before you enroll.

How Long an Online IT Degree at a CAE-CD School Takes and What Transfers

A 120-credit bachelor’s degree takes about four years full-time and longer part-time. An associate degree of 60 credits takes two years full-time. The median bachelor’s program here lists 120 credits, and the shortest master’s lists 30. The timeline shifts with three things: shorter courses, credits you bring with you, and certifications a school will count.

Accelerated Terms

Of the 27 programs that publish a term length at all, 23 run courses of eight weeks or shorter. 4 publish terms of five weeks or less. Colorado Christian University’s associate program takes courses one at a time, and the University of Missouri-St. Louis cites courses as short as 4 weeks. Short terms let you concentrate on one subject at a time.

Pacing While You Work

Drexel describes its program as flexible and fully online, with four ten-week quarters per year, and Champlain estimates completion times based on two courses per seven-week term. Ask each school how long a gap can run before you must reapply, since policies differ.

Transfer Credit

Transfer caps range from 6 to 94 semester credits across the 16 programs that publish one, and the median is 90. Franklin University accepts up to 94 credits from a community college. Southern New Hampshire University’s cybersecurity bachelor’s allows 90. Temple’s master’s takes up to 6.

An associate degree from a CAE-CD community college can be a strong starting point. Wayne Community College notes that you can transfer credits to East Carolina University, and Ivy Tech’s cloud technologies associate lists 60 credits for the degree. Ask the bachelor’s school which associate courses it counts as major credit and which ones become electives.

Credit for Certifications

9 programs award credit for certifications, at Drexel University, Purdue University Global, Excelsior University, Southern New Hampshire University and Franklin University. Franklin says many industry certifications can stand in for select coursework, and Southern New Hampshire University names CompTIA A+, Network+ and Linux+ as examples. If you hold a CompTIA Network+ already, ask whether it counts. Drexel’s online B.S. in Computing & Security Technology offers credit for prior learning to students who recently completed IT certifications from CompTIA. Always ask for the credit schedule in writing before you pay the exam fee.

Careers and Pay After an Online IT Degree at a CAE-CD School

Security is the strongest draw for this ranking, so start with security pay. Information security analysts earned a median of $129,180 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The lowest-paid tenth earned $75,090 and the highest-paid tenth earned $199,850. The BLS Employment Projections program forecasts 21% growth for the occupation from 2025-35, with about 14,100 openings a year, and the entry education is a bachelor's degree.

Roles to Aim For

BLS counts information security analysts separately from the network and systems administrators covered below, so read the right row when you compare pay. The occupation pays about $62.11 an hour at the median, and 190,650 people held the job in May 2025. Kennesaw State’s cybersecurity bachelor’s names Cyber Security Analyst, IT Auditor, Vulnerability Analyst and Cybersecurity Engineer as target titles. Ivy Tech says its graduates can earn CompTIA A+, Network+ and Security+, and ECPI University describes preparation for Security+ and CEH, so a degree and an entry certification can arrive together. The certifications hub lists the exams that pair with each role.

Where a Designated Degree Helps

The designation is a statement about the school, so check the posting for the roles you want and see whether it asks for anything of the kind. For entry-level support work, CompTIA A+ is a separate credential worth looking into. If you are unsure which direction you want, pick a program with room for security electives and decide later. Our information security analyst career page and its salary breakdown cover the path in detail.

The Administration Side

Under one BLS code, Network and Computer Systems Administrators, network administrators and systems administrators are counted together. The median there is $99,130, but BLS projects -4.1% change from 2025-35, so the field is shrinking even as 13,400 openings a year come from turnover. Management pays more: computer and information systems managers earned a median of $175,140, and the highest-paid tenth earned $297,510. BLS lists work experience of five years or more as typical for this occupation. BLS projects 15.8% growth for the occupation from 2025-35. Our IT manager salary page breaks down pay by level, and the network administrator career page covers the administration track.

How to Choose an Online IT Degree at a CAE-CD School

Use this checklist to narrow 66 programs to the two or three you will apply to. Work through it in order. The first two items remove programs you cannot attend, the middle items compare the ones left, and the designation check comes last because it only breaks ties between programs that already fit your life and budget. Each item names one program as an example from the ranking.

Confirm the Program Is Actually Online

Read the program page for words like “fully online” before anything else. Florida International University’s page describes a fully online Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, and Dakota State lists its cybersecurity program as available fully online or on campus. Some programs require campus visits, and a few split coursework between formats.

Match the Delivery Format to Your Week

University of the Cumberlands and Grand Canyon University are among the asynchronous master’s programs, and both run 8-week courses. Syracuse University mixes formats, and so does ECPI University, so confirm the live requirements before you apply.

Price the Whole Degree

Per-credit rates mislead when programs have different credit totals. University of the Cumberlands lists a total of $11,005 for its master’s, while Grand Canyon lists $20,740. Add fees and any residency surcharge.

Read the Transfer Policy

If you have credits, a high cap matters. Franklin University lists a cap of 94 credits, and ECPI University lists 90.

Look for Embedded Certifications

Ivy Tech says graduates can earn CompTIA A+, Network+ and Security+, and ECPI describes preparation for Security+ and CEH. Across the ranking, 18 programs name certifications their curriculum prepares you for. See the online IT degrees with certifications ranking for more.

Check Accreditation and Start Dates

Pair the designation with institutional accreditation and, if you want it, ABET. 27 programs publish start dates, and 6 start monthly. Carnegie Mellon’s part-time master’s, for example, lists late August, early January and mid-May starts, with application deadlines a few months ahead of each one. Once two or three programs pass every item, email admissions, ask for the written designation answer described above, and request a credit evaluation if you have prior coursework.

Online IT Degrees at CAE-CD Schools by State

Designated programs cluster in a handful of states. Indiana has 7 ranked programs, all at public institutions, and the cheapest in-state public rate there comes to $178 per credit. See the Indiana page for the full list. Ivy Tech Community College, Vincennes University and Purdue University Global are among them.

North Carolina and Virginia

North Carolina has 6 programs, with 6 at public schools and an in-state low of $76 per credit, the cheapest in-state rate on the page. Wayne Community College and North Carolina A&T are on the list. See North Carolina for details.

Virginia has 6 programs, 3 of them public, starting at $281 in-state. George Mason University and Old Dominion University are the public options, and Liberty University is private. The Virginia page has the full list.

Public Options and In-State Rates

An in-state rate only helps residents of that state, so the lowest figure on the page is not the one you will pay unless you qualify. North Carolina A&T’s online M.S. in Information Technology lists $303 per credit for residents and $1,035 for everyone else, with a total of $31,064. The University of Maryland Global Campus lists $337 in-state and $499 otherwise for its cybersecurity technology bachelor’s, and accepts up to 90 transfer credits. If you live in a state without a ranked public option, compare the nonprofit private programs and the national totals above.

New York and Pennsylvania

New York has 4 programs and 0 public options, since Syracuse University and New York University are both private. Pennsylvania has 4, with 1 public and an in-state rate of $1,023 per credit. The pages for New York and Pennsylvania list each program. For the full map, open online IT programs by state.

Choosing Between Neighboring States

If you live near a state line, look at both sides. Public schools often set a lower rate for residents, so compare the full total and the fee list for programs on both sides of the line, and confirm that the program accepts students from your state before you apply.

Online IT Degree at an NSA-Designated School FAQ

What is a CAE-CD designation?

CAE-CD stands for Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense. The National Security Agency awards it to colleges and universities that meet its published requirements, and a school must reapply every five academic years. It recognizes the institution's cyber defense education and is not an accreditation of any single degree, so confirm which program the designation covers.

Is a CAE-CD school the same as an accredited program?

No. ABET accreditation reviews one named program, while a CAE-CD designation recognizes an institution's cyber defense education as a whole. A designated school can still offer IT degrees outside that scope. Of the programs on this page, 8 also hold ABET accreditation, and those are the ones that carry both signals.

Does a CAE-CD degree help me get a federal job?

Not directly. The CAE community says a designated school can apply for the NSF Scholarship for Service program, which funds students who agree to work in government after graduation, but the designation itself is a statement about the school and not a credential you hold. If a federal job is your goal, read the posting for what it requires and ask the school whether its scholarship eligibility applies to your degree.

How much does an online IT degree at a CAE-CD school cost?

On this page, per-credit rates start at $192, reach $1,915 and have a median of $470. In-state public rates start at $76. Totals depend on level and length, from short master's programs at the low end to long private bachelor's programs at the high end. Compare programs at your own degree level, and add fees to the rate before you decide.

How do I check whether a school is really CAE-CD designated?

Search the CAE community institution map at maps.caecommunity.org for the school. Designations must be renewed every five academic years, so confirm the school is current. Then ask admissions whether the online IT program you want falls under the designation, and get the answer in writing, naming the department that holds it.

Keep researching

Sources

  1. Each school's own program and tuition pages 66 program pages: tuition, credits, format, transfer credit, start dates and certifications. Each card links to its page.
  2. NCES IPEDS Graduation rate (school-wide), institution directory, and the distance education flags used to find fully online programs.
  3. College Scorecard Median earnings one year after completion for the school's graduates in the field, and institutional accreditation.
  4. ABET accredited program search Program accreditation by the Computing Accreditation Commission.
  5. NSA/DHS National Centers of Academic Excellence map CAE-CD school designations.

How these combine into the order above is set out in our methodology.