Illinois Cybersecurity Degree Programs

School Program Admissions
Pace University Online Master of Science in Cybersecurity
NSA- and DHS-designated. 100% online. No GRE/GMAT. Hands-on, specialized learning.
Website
Utica University Online BS in Cybersecurity
Specializations: Network Forensics and Incident Response, Cybercrime and Fraud Investigation, and Cyber Operations.
Website
Maryville University Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
The online BS in Cybersecurity from Maryville University will teach you how to protect digital assets and information systems in various industries, from finance to healthcare. No SAT or ACT scores required.
Website
Maryville University Master of Science in Cybersecurity
Earn your MS in Cybersecurity online from Maryville University in as few as 12 months.
Website
University of California, Berkeley Master’s in Cybersecurity
Complete your degree in 20 months. Join the global UC Berkeley alumni network of technology, data science, privacy, and policy professionals.
Website
i sponsored

Click for more sponsored online cybersecurity degree programs currently taking applications for 2024.

Illinois Cybersecurity Degrees Overview

In the state of Illinois, there are 12 institutions that have been designated with the majority of them being in cyber defense and two-year curricula.

Only the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is through cyber research and there are no cyber operation designations. Some of the more popular universities on this list along with the flagship Urbana-Champaign location includes DePaul University and Illinois State University.

Jump to list of campus and online Illinois cybersecurity degrees.

Are there NSA CAE designated cyber security degrees in Illinois?

Yes. Here is a list of Illinois universities that are NSA CAE Designated Institutions and have a cybersecurity degree.

Why consider NSA CAE designated institutions for cyber security in Illinois

The National Security Agency (NSA) endorses cybersecurity programs in higher education by designating them as one of the National Centers of Academic Excellence (CAE). With the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), many of these institutions will fall under Cyber Defense, either setting an education (CAE CDE) or research (CAE-R) standard.

There is a separate designation for two-year degrees, which are generally reserved for community or specialized school. A handful of colleges have been designated as a CAE in Cyber Operations (CAE-CO).

Online Cyber Security Programs in Illinois

Pursuing an online program is an easier way to complete a cybersecurity degree in higher education, and Pennsylvania has many institutions that offer certifications, undergraduate, and graduate programs.

Courses can be offered in a synchronous format, where students can watch lectures remotely and take part in a virtual classroom, or watch videos of lectures recorded on demand. Coursework is typically completed at any time of the day, either at the students' own pace, or in order to keep up with the rest of the class, they will have to meet weekly deadlines. All interaction is done through a content management system either created by the university or with a third-party service, such as Blackboard.

Featured online cybersecurity programs:

Online BS in Information Systems Security at the University of Illinois Springfield

The University of Illinois at Springfield has an online Bachelor of Science in Information Systems Security through the Department of Computer Science. 36 credit hours are needed to complete the curriculum, which does not include an entrance and exit assessment taken at the beginning and end of the program.

Courses that students are required to take are Foundations of Network Security and Information Assurance, Systems Programming Languages, Windows Network Administration, and Systems Security and Information Assurance capstone project. Three electives are needed from the computer science department and give the ability for students to customize their degree.

List of the best cyber security degrees in Illinois

Undergraduate Cybersecurity Degrees

Click to view all online Associate and Bachelor in Cyber Security degrees that are taking applications.

School Program City
College of DuPage
☑ CAE
Associate in Applied Science in Cybersecurity and Defense Glen Ellyn
Illinois Tech
Applied Cybersecurity and Information Technology (B.S.) Chicago
John A Logan College
☑ CAE
Associate in Applied Science in Computer Forensics Carterville
John A Logan College
☑ CAE
Associate in Applied Science in Cyber Security/Information Assurance Carterville
Lincoln Land Community College
☑ CAE
Associate in Applied Science in Computer Systems: Networking Track Springfield
Loyola University Chicago
B.S. in Cyber Security Chicago
McHenry County College
Network Security AAS Crystal Lake
Northeastern Illinois University
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science: Computer Networks and Security concentration Chicago
Rock Valley College
☑ CAE
Data Assurance & IT Security Rockford
Roosevelt University
☑ CAE
Bachelor of Science in Cyber and Information Security Chicago
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering: Illinois Cyber Security Scholars Program Champaign
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (Engineering): Illinois Cyber Security Scholars Program Champaign
University of Illinois, Springfield
Information Systems Security Bachelors Springfield

Illinois Graduate Cybersecurity Degrees

School Program Admissions
Pace University Online Master of Science in Cybersecurity Website
Maryville University Master of Science in Cybersecurity Website
University of California, Berkeley Master’s in Cybersecurity Website
University of West Florida Online M.S. in Cybersecurity Website
Syracuse University Master of Science in Cybersecurity Website
Arizona State University Online Master of Computer Science - Cybersecurity Website
Utica University Online MS in Cybersecurity Website
Fairleigh Dickinson University Master of Science in Cyber and Homeland Security Website
Stevens Institute of Technology Master of Science in Computer Science Website
i sponsored

Click to view all online Graduate level Cyber Security degrees (Master and Doctorate) that are taking applications.

School Program City
Illinois Institute of Technology
☑ CAE
Master of Cyber Forensics and Security Program Chicago
University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign
Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering: Illinois Cyber Security Scholars Program Champaign
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Juris Doctor: Cyber Security Scholars Program Champaign
Notice a missing or inaccurate program? Our data is hand-collected and edited. If you notice a missing data science program, please contact us on our About page to request a cybersecurity program to be reviewed or to adjust a current listing.

Master’s in Cyber Security Degrees in Illinois

Due to the complicated nature of information technology and network security, it is recommended that those who are looking to get into engineering or managerial roles should consider a Master’s program. This provides the education needed to advance along in a specific career, or make the switch into cybersecurity for those working in a different segment of the IT sector. In order to gain entry into a Master’s program, students will typically need to have an undergraduate degree with a 3.0 cumulative GPA, prior coursework in computer science and mathematics, and they will need to submit official transcripts, an updated resume, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement declaring why they are pursuing this degree.

The Armour College of Engineering at the Illinois Institute of Technology offers a Master of Cybersecurity Engineering, which explores theories behind data privacy and the methods in which we protect sensitive information, and implements regulatory classes with a focus on e-commerce, social networks, and forensics. Up to 13 credit hours are needed in various computer engineering classes, like Object-Oriented Programming and Computer Simulation, Digital Communication Principles, and Statistical Pattern Recognition. At least 30 credit hours are needed to complete the program, and this will prepare graduates for roles as a cybersecurity systems engineer or specialist.

Getting Started Working in Cyber Security in Illinois

Regardless of background in computer science, there is a pathway for anyone interested in a cybersecurity career. Illinois provides a dozen schools that offer certifications and undergraduate or graduate programs for those that have no experience and are looking for entry-level positions, or gaining advanced knowledge to further their career into a managerial or executive position. Many opportunities in the cybersecurity field are in the state’s biggest city, Chicago.

Illinois Cyber Security Careers

The metropolis area of Chicago, Naperville, and Elgin within the states of Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin, has one of the highest levels of employment for information systems analysts according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Over 3,220 employees work in the profession, which is only lower than Washington, DC, New York City, and Dallas-Fort Worth. Average salary sits at just over $99,400 on an annual basis. According to CompTIA, Illinois hires the fifth-most tech professionals in the United States and continues to add them at a generous rate.

Illinois Cyber Security and Tech Employers and Organizations

Crowe is a technology and consulting firm that offers security solutions for organizations. Some of their services include risk analysis, penetration testing, data privacy, and cyber resilience – the latter is the ability to respond to current attacks to minimize damage, prevent further data exploitation, and get back on track with quick disaster recovery efforts. The company offers consistent job opportunities in the Chicago and Oak Brook areas in Illinois.