Are There Any Free Online Cybersecurity Degrees?

The idea of earning a free online cybersecurity degree is appealing, especially given the strong career demand in the field. However, fully free, accredited cybersecurity degree programs do not currently exist. Colleges still incur real costs related to instruction, technology infrastructure, academic support, and accreditation.

That said, some online programs come close to “free” when students combine tuition-free models, federal grants, transfer credits, and employer or military education benefits. Understanding how these options work together is key to minimizing out-of-pocket costs while still earning a legitimate cybersecurity degree.

Are There Free Online Cybersecurity Degrees?

The short answer is no; there are no fully free online cybersecurity degrees from accredited colleges or universities. Even schools that advertise tuition-free education still charge some form of assessment, enrollment, or course fees to support academic operations.

Cybersecurity programs also tend to involve higher instructional costs than some other fields due to labs, software access, and specialized faculty. As a result, any program claiming to offer a completely free cybersecurity degree should be approached with caution, especially if accreditation is unclear or missing.

What “Free” Really Means for Cybersecurity Degrees

When colleges use the term “free,” it usually refers to one of several cost-reduction strategies rather than the absence of all expenses. In cybersecurity education, “free” often means tuition-free instruction paired with modest fees, or degrees that can be mostly covered through grants and credit transfers.

In practical terms, a cybersecurity degree may feel free to students who qualify for Pell Grants, apply significant transfer credits, or receive employer or military tuition support. While some costs typically remain, these approaches can reduce total expenses to a fraction of the advertised tuition, making a degree far more affordable than expected.

Low-Cost Online Cybersecurity Degree Options

While no accredited online cybersecurity degrees are completely free, the programs below represent some of the lowest-cost options available. Many students use these schools as part of a broader affordability strategy, combining low tuition with financial aid, transfer credits, or employer benefits to significantly reduce total costs.

1. University of the People

University of the People offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in computer science with a cybersecurity focus using a tuition-free education model. Instead of charging tuition, the university assesses modest fees per course, which helps keep overall costs extremely low compared to traditional cybersecurity degree programs.

The curriculum covers foundational computer science concepts alongside cybersecurity-related topics such as information security and system protection. This program works best for highly self-motivated learners who want an accredited, low-cost pathway into cybersecurity or related information technology roles.

• Program length: 4 years
• Accreditation: Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC)

2. Western Governors University

Western Governors University (WGU) offers a BS in cybersecurity and information assurance built around a competency-based learning model. Students pay a flat rate per six-month term and can complete as many courses as they are able within that period, which can significantly lower total cost for fast-moving learners.

This structure makes WGU a popular option for students with prior IT experience who can move quickly through familiar material. While not free, the combination of flat-rate tuition, transfer credit options, and financial aid can make this program one of the most affordable cybersecurity degrees available.

• Program length: 2 to 4 years
• Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

3. American Public University

American Public University (APU) offers an online BS in cybersecurity designed for working adults and military-affiliated students. The program emphasizes affordability through competitive tuition rates and policies that support transfer credits and prior learning.

For eligible students using military education benefits or employer tuition assistance, total out-of-pocket costs may be significantly reduced. This makes APU a practical option for learners looking to keep cybersecurity degree expenses as low as possible.

• Program length: 4 years
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

4. University of Maryland Global Campus

University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) offers an online BS in cybersecurity technology designed for adult learners and military-affiliated students. The program emphasizes applied learning and uses no-cost digital course materials, which helps reduce additional expenses beyond tuition.

UMGC is also transfer-friendly and accepts a wide range of prior college credit. For students who qualify for federal grants or employer tuition benefits, these features can significantly lower overall degree costs.

• Program length: 4 years
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

5. Fort Hays State University

Fort Hays State University offers online cybersecurity-related bachelor’s and master’s programs through a public university model that keeps tuition relatively low for online students. Flat-rate online tuition helps make costs predictable regardless of residency.

The program is a good option for students who want a traditional university experience at a lower price point. When combined with financial aid or transfer credits, Fort Hays State can be part of a strategy to minimize total cybersecurity degree costs.

• Program length: 4 years
• Accreditation: HLC

How We Rank Schools

To create this list, we review data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), along with program-level details published by each university. Our goal is to highlight low-cost, legitimate options that can help students reduce total degree expenses.

• Accreditation: All programs must be offered by institutions with recognized accreditation to ensure degree validity and eligibility for federal financial aid.
• Affordability potential: We prioritize schools with tuition-free models, low tuition structures, or features that help reduce total cost over time.
• Online availability: Degrees must be available fully online to support flexible learning and cost savings.

State Programs That Can Make Cybersecurity Degrees Free

In some cases, students can earn an online cybersecurity degree with little to no out-of-pocket cost through state-funded tuition programs. These initiatives are typically designed to help residents attend public colleges by covering remaining tuition after federal financial aid is applied.

Often referred to as “last-dollar” scholarships, these programs do not provide cash directly to students. Instead, they cover the gap between tuition and other aid, which can result in a zero-dollar tuition balance for qualifying students enrolled in approved programs. Eligibility usually depends on residency, income limits, enrollment status, and academic progress.

Examples of State-Based Free Tuition Programs

Several states currently offer tuition programs that may apply to online cybersecurity or information technology degrees offered by public universities.

• New York (Excelsior Scholarship): This program covers tuition at State University of New York and City University of New York institutions for eligible residents. Some SUNY schools offer online-friendly cybersecurity, computer science, or information systems programs that may qualify under this initiative.
• Arizona (Arizona Promise): Arizona Promise covers tuition and mandatory fees at Arizona public universities for qualifying low-income residents. This can include online cybersecurity or information technology degrees offered through state institutions.
• Tennessee (Tennessee Reconnect): While primarily focused on associate degrees, Tennessee Reconnect can reduce costs at the community college level and support low-cost transfer pathways into bachelor’s programs with cybersecurity coursework.

Because rules vary widely by state and program, students should review eligibility requirements carefully and confirm whether online programs qualify before relying on state-funded tuition assistance.

Employer-Funded Cybersecurity Degree Pathways

Another realistic way to earn a cybersecurity degree at little to no cost is through employer-sponsored education programs. As cybersecurity skills remain in high demand, many large employers now offer tuition benefits that fully cover undergraduate degrees in technology-related fields.

These programs are designed to help employers build internal talent pipelines while allowing employees to earn accredited degrees without taking on student loan debt. For eligible workers, employer-funded education can result in a fully paid online cybersecurity degree, though options are typically limited to partner schools and approved programs.

Major Employers Offering Free or Fully Funded Cybersecurity Degrees

Several national employers offer education benefits that may apply to cybersecurity, information technology, or closely related degree programs.

• Amazon (Career Choice): Amazon’s Career Choice program covers 100 percent of tuition and fees for eligible employees pursuing degrees at partner institutions. Approved schools often include online-friendly universities that offer cybersecurity or IT-related bachelor’s degrees, allowing employees to complete coursework while continuing to work.
• Walmart (Live Better U): Walmart’s Live Better U program pays the full cost of tuition and books for select online bachelor’s degrees through university partners. Many of these programs align with cybersecurity, information technology, or computer science career paths.
• Target (Dream to Be): Target provides free tuition for a range of undergraduate programs through education partners. While degree options are limited, some programs support technical and cybersecurity-adjacent roles.

Employer-funded degrees typically require continued employment and satisfactory academic progress. While not every cybersecurity degree is eligible, these programs represent one of the most reliable ways to earn a degree with no out-of-pocket tuition for qualifying employees.

Other Ways To Reduce the Cost of an Online Cybersecurity Degree

Even when an online cybersecurity degree is not tuition-free, many students significantly lower total costs by combining financial aid, transfer credits, and alternative learning options. These strategies are most effective when planned early and confirmed with an academic advisor to ensure credits and aid apply correctly to the degree program.

Federal financial aid plays a central role for many students pursuing cybersecurity degrees. Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) determines eligibility for grants, loans, and work-study programs and is often required for access to both federal and institutional aid. For students with financial need, grants can substantially reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket tuition costs at low-cost or public institutions.

Common Cost-Reduction Strategies

Many students reduce the cost of a cybersecurity degree by using a mix of financial aid and credit-earning options outside traditional coursework. When used together, these approaches can dramatically lower the number of credits students need to pay for directly.

• FAFSA and federal grants: Submitting the FAFSA allows students to access federal aid, including Pell Grants, which do not need to be repaid. For eligible students enrolled in affordable or transfer-friendly cybersecurity programs, grant funding may cover a large portion of remaining tuition.
• Transfer credits: Prior college coursework from regionally accredited institutions can often be applied toward general education or cybersecurity-related requirements. This can shorten time to degree completion and reduce total tuition costs.
• CLEP exams and Modern States: Modern States offers free online courses and exam vouchers for College-Level Examination Program exams. If accepted by the receiving institution, these exams allow students to earn college credit at no cost, potentially replacing introductory coursework.
• Industry certifications with academic value: Some cybersecurity programs award credit or course waivers for industry-recognized certifications. When accepted, these credentials can reduce both tuition expenses and the number of required courses.
• Institutional scholarships: Many colleges offer need-based or merit-based scholarships for online learners, adult students, or technology-focused majors. These awards can often be layered with federal aid to further reduce costs.
• Employer tuition assistance: In addition to fully funded degree programs, some employers offer partial tuition reimbursement. When combined with federal aid, these benefits can significantly lower remaining expenses.

While outcomes vary based on eligibility and institutional policies, students who combine FAFSA-based aid with transfer strategies and scholarships often reduce the total cost of an online cybersecurity degree to a fraction of its listed price.

“Free to Start” Cybersecurity Degree Pathways

Some colleges now offer cybersecurity-related degree pathways that allow students to begin learning with little or no upfront cost. These models do not eliminate tuition entirely, but they reduce financial risk by letting students explore coursework or earn credentials before committing to full degree expenses.

“Free to start” pathways typically rely on short-term certificates, micro-credentials, or introductory courses that can later be converted into college credit. Students only pay tuition when they choose to apply those credentials toward a formal degree, which can make this approach appealing for learners who want to confirm their interest in cybersecurity before enrolling fully.

In cybersecurity, these pathways often begin with foundational topics such as information technology basics, networking, or introductory security concepts. Once students demonstrate readiness and decide to continue, they can apply completed coursework toward an accredited cybersecurity or information technology degree, paying tuition only for the credits they choose to formalize.

This model works best for students who want to test the field, manage costs carefully, or avoid committing to a full degree before understanding the academic workload. While not truly free, “free to start” pathways can lower upfront costs and help students move forward with greater confidence and financial control.

FAQs About Free Online Cybersecurity Degrees

Students exploring free or low-cost cybersecurity degrees often have questions about what is realistically possible and where tradeoffs may exist. The FAQs below address those concerns in more detail.

Can Financial Aid Make a Cybersecurity Degree Free?

In some cases, financial aid can cover most or all of the cost of a cybersecurity degree. Federal Pell Grants, institutional scholarships, and employer tuition assistance can significantly reduce out-of-pocket expenses at low-cost or public universities. Eligibility varies based on income, enrollment status, and institutional policies, so outcomes are not guaranteed.

Is University of the People the Closest Option to a Free Cybersecurity Degree?

University of the People is often considered the closest option to a free cybersecurity-related degree because it does not charge traditional tuition. Instead, students pay assessment fees per course, which are far lower than standard tuition rates. For students who qualify for need-based scholarships, these fees may be reduced or eliminated.

Are Free Cybersecurity Courses the Same as a Degree?

Free cybersecurity courses and certificates can help build skills, but they are not equivalent to an accredited degree. Most cybersecurity roles that require a degree specifically ask for a bachelor’s credential from an accredited institution. Free courses are best used as supplements, preparation tools, or stepping stones toward a degree program.

Can Employer-Funded Programs Really Cover One Hundred Percent of Costs?

Many employer education programs cover full tuition and books, but coverage depends on employer policies and partner schools. Some programs limit eligible degrees, require continued employment, or cap annual funding. For employees who meet eligibility requirements, these benefits can result in a fully funded cybersecurity or IT-related degree.

Do State “Free College” Programs Apply to Online Cybersecurity Degrees?

Some state-funded tuition programs apply to online degrees offered by public universities, including cybersecurity or information technology programs. Eligibility is usually limited to in-state residents and may include income caps, enrollment requirements, and academic progress standards. Students should confirm whether their chosen online program qualifies before relying on state aid.

Are “Free to Start” Cybersecurity Programs Worth Considering?

“Free to start” programs allow students to begin learning without paying full tuition upfront, often through certificates or micro-credentials. These pathways can reduce financial risk and help learners confirm interest in cybersecurity before committing to a full degree. Students should understand when costs apply once credits are converted into degree requirements.

Will Employers Respect a Low-Cost or Free Cybersecurity Degree?

Employers generally focus on accreditation, skills, and experience rather than how much a degree cost. Graduates who complete accredited programs and build hands-on experience can remain competitive regardless of tuition model. Degree quality and relevance matter more than price.

Is a Free or Low-Cost Cybersecurity Degree Worth It?

For students who qualify, low-cost or near-free pathways can provide strong long-term value by reducing student loan debt. These options often require additional planning, research, and coordination of financial aid or transfer credits. For many learners, the financial savings make that effort worthwhile.

Explore Affordable Cybersecurity Degrees Online

While truly free online cybersecurity degrees do not exist, low-cost pathways can make earning a degree far more accessible. To compare affordable programs, financial aid options, and cybersecurity career paths, explore cybersecurity degrees on Learn.org and find an option that fits your goals and budget.