Key takeaways
- Many good colleges in Alaska offer cybersecurity degrees as the state’s remote location, leaves it particularly susceptible to cyberattacks, which can have severe consequences for its economy, especially the tourism sector.
- The University of Alaska Fairbanks and the University of Alaska Anchorage offer excellent bachelor’s programs in cybersecurity.
- Alaska has experienced a significant increase in cybercrime incidents in recent years, with reported losses reaching millions of dollars.
- Cyberattacks on Alaska’s infrastructure, such as airports and public services, can disrupt daily life and cause substantial economic damage.
- The growing number of cyber threats has created a pressing need for qualified cybersecurity professionals in Alaska.
- Despite the demand, Alaska has a relatively small number of colleges offering cybersecurity programs compared to other states, thus students turn to online colleges for cybersecurity degrees.
- A career in cybersecurity in Alaska offers both professional fulfillment and financial rewards, with competitive salaries and ample job opportunities.
Alaska wasn’t always a part of the US. It was transferred from Russian territory to the United States in the Treaty of Cession of 1867, and it became a part of the US in 1959 as the 49th state. Owing to its interesting history, and important geographical location, Alaska has several military establishments, making it an ideal place to study cybersecurity.
In this article, we list some of the good colleges in Alaska for cyber security bachelor’s and provide guidance on how to find the ideal one. Those wishing to know more about cybersecurity bachelors can explore the All Bachelor Degrees cybersecurity FAQ guide.
Complete list of good colleges in Alaska offering cybersecurity majors
If you search for the ‘colleges in Alaska list’, you will find a total of 6 colleges. Out of the six, the list of colleges with cybersecurity majors is even smaller. However, some of the best colleges with cybersecurity majors in the US offer online programs that students can enroll in.
Here are a few of the best available options for students wishing to pursue cybersecurity education in Alaska.
University of Alaska – Fairbanks
The Cybersecurity and Information Technology Management concentration at the University of Alaska Fairbanks offers a comprehensive program that equips students with the technical skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the high-demand field of cybersecurity.
By combining real-world expertise with theoretical foundations, the program prepares students to protect businesses and governments from cyber threats. Graduates can expect to learn about various aspects of cybersecurity, including cyber resilience, risk management, incident response, and ethical hacking.
With the growing importance of cybersecurity in today’s digital world, students can look forward to successful careers as cybersecurity experts, working to defend against cybercrime and protect valuable information. University of Alaska Fairbanks is one of the top colleges for cybersecurity in Alaska, making it the ideal option for a successful career.
| Location | Minimum GPA | Acceptance rate | Tuition |
| Fairbanks, Alaska | 3.46 | 65% | $7,896 (in-state)
$22,032 (out-of-state) |
University of Alaska – Anchorage
The Bachelor of Science in Applied Technologies Leadership at the University of Alaska Anchorage offers a flexible and customizable path to a bachelor’s degree, designed for students with a strong technical background. If you are looking for flexible colleges for cybersecurity in Alaska, this is the ideal option for you.
Through online and distance learning, the program equips students with advanced professional and communication skills, preparing them for leadership roles in their field. Students can tailor their coursework to their specific interests and career goals, exploring their chosen discipline through upper-division courses and culminating in a capstone experience.
This degree is ideal for graduates of applied science programs and those with relevant technical experience, providing a solid foundation for a successful career in leadership roles in technical fields such as cybersecurity.
| Location | Minimum GPA | Acceptance rate | Tuition |
| Anchorage, Alaska | 3.42 | 65% | $7,508 (in-state)
$21,635 (out-of-state) |
Purdue University (online colleges in Alaska list)
An online cybersecurity degree from Purdue University offers a comprehensive education that prepares students for successful careers in the field. By combining technical skills like secure coding, cryptography, and digital forensics with analytical thinking and criminology, the program equips students with the knowledge and tools to protect networks and data from cyber threats.
Through hands-on projects and industry internships, students gain practical experience and develop the skills needed to address the growing demand for cybersecurity professionals. Purdue’s cybersecurity curriculum provides a strong foundation for a rewarding and impactful career in this dynamic field.
| Location | Minimum GPA | Acceptance rate | Tuition |
| West Lafayette, Indiana | 3.8 | 52.7% | $9,992 (in-state)
$28,794 (out-of-state) |
Maryville University of St. Louise
Maryville University’s online cybersecurity degrees offer a comprehensive and flexible path to a successful career in the rapidly growing field of cybersecurity. Students can choose from bachelor’s and master’s programs, each designed to provide in-depth knowledge of security principles, practical skills, and industry-recognized certifications.
The curriculum covers a wide range of topics, including digital forensics, ethical hacking, network security, cryptography, and risk management. With a focus on hands-on learning and expert faculty, Maryville equips students with the tools and expertise needed to excel in this dynamic and high-demand field.
| Location | Minimum GPA | Acceptance rate | Tuition |
| Saint Louise, Missouri | 3.52 | 88% | $24,766 |
Why study cybersecurity at good colleges in Alaska?
Alaska is the largest and one of the most important states in the US. Thus, naturally, it is subject to cyber threats and attacks. In fact, according to Alaska Public Media, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center reported that more than 1600 Alaskan citizens were victims of cybercrime in 2022. The total reported loss amounted to more than $17 million.
The detailed report of cybercrime instances highlighted that the three common crimes include personal data breaches, ransomware attacks or extortion, and technical support scams. According to top cybersecurity officials in the state, Alaska’s remoteness makes it vulnerable to cyberattacks.
An attack on the state’s infrastructure could cause severe damage to its economy, as it has been. The tourism sector in Alaska is the state’s second-largest employer and income source. The attacks are becoming faster and more sophisticated.
In August 2024 a major cyberattack on Alaska airport took place, causing major disruptions in flight schedules reports Fox News. A malware attack caused chaos in Matanuska-Susitna resulting in massive losses in 2018, according to BBC. Employees found themselves locked out of their workstations, an animal shelter lost essential data on medications needed by shelter animals, and more.
Thus, the need for cybersecurity experts in Alaska rose, and colleges stepped up to offer cybersecurity college courses and degrees. Students wishing to pursue employment in the cybersecurity field can enroll in one of the top colleges for cybersecurity in Alaska.
Unsure of whether a career in cybersecurity is ideal for you? Here are 5 signs that indicate you are cut out for a career in cybersecurity.
How to shortlist good colleges in Alaska for cybersecurity?
Even though Alaska is the largest US state by land, it ranks 48th in terms of population size. Thus, there are only 6 4-year colleges in Alaska catering to its population of 733,391. The number may seem small compared to the most populous state California, but it is more than enough for Alaskan residents.
The search for cybersecurity colleges and universities in Alaska is relatively easy. To find one that suits your requirements, students must keep in mind the following factors.
Career goals
The first step in your college planning should be to determine which career path you want to follow. When it comes to cybersecurity, this is even more important given that 4-year colleges in Alaska offer several specialization options in the cybersecurity field.
If you want to become a cybersecurity engineer, you will need to apply for a B.S. in Cybersecurity Engineering, such as that offered by George Mason University. However, if you want to become a cybersecurity analyst, a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity with relevant practical experience can suffice.
You can also explore cybersecurity online colleges in Alaska if you are unable to find the cybersecurity degree you seek in traditional colleges.
Program curriculum
A typical cybersecurity bachelor’s degree program equips students with a strong foundation in computer science, networking, and security principles. Core courses often include programming, data structures, operating systems, and network security.
Specialized cybersecurity courses delve into topics such as digital forensics, cryptography, ethical hacking, risk management, and incident response. Many programs also offer hands-on experience through labs, internships, and capstone projects, allowing students to apply their knowledge to real-world scenarios and develop practical skills.
The specialized courses and choice of elective courses vary by institute and program type. Students must choose the ideal combination of both, keeping in mind their career goals. All Bachelor Degrees in-depth guide on cybersecurity bachelor program can help you choose the right cybersecurity college courses.
Available specializations
Additionally, students can choose to pursue further specializations in the cybersecurity field. Some colleges offer cybersecurity degrees with a focus on security engineering, information technology, network architecture, and more.
If you wish to pursue employment in a specialized field, you should choose a relevant focus study area. Keep in mind, the niche you specialize in directly governs the career opportunities available to you.
Available specializations include network security, forensic science, cloud security, application security, penetration testing, and more. Still confused? Read through the essential things to know about a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity.
Admission criteria
Now that you have your career goals aligned with the degree programs you have shortlisted from good colleges in Alaska for cybersecurity, check the admission criteria. Typically, colleges require a high school diploma, minimum GPA, Standardized Test Scores, essay of interest, and recommendation letters.
However, for a cybersecurity bachelor, students with an associate degree can transfer their credits to 4-year colleges in Alaska. The requirements vary by the institute but usually include completion of 60 transferable credits. Students with an appropriate associate degree can generally complete their bachelor’s degree in an additional two years.
Some colleges provide detailed information on the preferred range of high school courses that students must have taken. Make sure you conduct an exhaustive search of the admission requirements of individual colleges and universities in Alaska.
Tuition
Tuition cost is a significant consideration factor when searching for good colleges in Alaska. The average cost of a bachelor’s degree in the United States is $38,270 per year for each student. However, if you are looking for cheap colleges in Alaska, look for public colleges. They offer cheaper tuition rates, especially for in-state students.
Private for-profit colleges generally have the highest tuition rates. Those looking for a cheaper alternative can explore online cybersecurity degrees by searching for online colleges in Alaska.
Accreditation
All educational institutions in Alaska are accredited by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. However, the voluntary accreditation from the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) is ideal for colleges for cybersecurity.
In fact, employers in the cybersecurity field actually prefer graduates from the ABET-accredited cybersecurity majors. Make sure, you browse the general eligibility criteria for different cybersecurity career paths and choose a program accordingly.
What makes Alaska great for cybersecurity education?
The need for cybersecurity professionals in Alaska is at an all-time high. With rising cyber-attacks on the critical infrastructure of the country, enrolling in the best colleges in Alaska for cybersecurity education is a must. Even if that means choosing online colleges for cybersecurity education.
Additionally, government initiatives such as Cybersecurity Awareness Month aimed at educating students on the need for cybersecurity experts are fueling investment in cybersecurity education. Moreover, cybersecurity professionals are among the most well-paid technical experts.
As of October 2024, the average salary of an entry-level cybersecurity analyst position in Alaska is $132,292. The salary range varies from city to city but typically falls between $113,864 to $148,325.
Fight against cybercrime by getting cybersecurity degrees from good colleges in Alaska!
If there is a state that really needs cybersecurity experts and fast, it is Alaska. There have been several disruptions owing to the rising cybersecurity attacks in the state over the past decade or so.
If you want to get an education and find employment in a state where it really counts, choose cybersecurity colleges in Alaska.