Best Cybersecurity Degrees in Colorado Springs Colorado

Key Takeaways

• Colorado Springs is a major cybersecurity hub, home to U.S. Space Command, Peterson Space Force Base, and a growing defense contractor ecosystem.
• The top cybersecurity degrees in Colorado Springs are offered by University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak State College, and Colorado Technical University.
• Look for NSA-designated programs, ABET accreditation, strong internship pipelines, and certification alignment with CompTIA, CISSP, and Security+.
• Entry-level cybersecurity salaries in the Colorado Springs region typically range from $70,000 to $95,000 depending on clearance status and credentials.
• Programs that integrate hands-on labs, cyber ranges, and Department of Defense partnerships offer the strongest return on investment.

Why Study Cybersecurity in Colorado Springs?

Colorado Springs is one of the most strategically important cybersecurity regions in the United States. With multiple military installations, aerospace companies, and federal agencies located in the area, cybersecurity talent demand remains consistently strong.

Key regional employers include:

• U.S. Space Force and Space Command
• Northrop Grumman
• Lockheed Martin
• Raytheon Technologies
• Booz Allen Hamilton

This concentration of defense and aerospace industries creates robust internship pipelines, clearance-based employment opportunities, and above-average cybersecurity salaries compared to many U.S. metro areas.

How We Evaluated the Best Cybersecurity Degrees

To determine the strongest programs in Colorado Springs, the following criteria were evaluated:

• Accreditation and NSA Center of Academic Excellence designation
• Degree levels offered: associate, bachelor’s, master’s
• Hands-on labs, cyber ranges, and research facilities
• Industry partnerships and internship pipelines
• Tuition costs and financial aid availability
• Certification alignment with CompTIA, CEH, CISSP, and Security+
• Career outcomes and placement support

Top Cybersecurity Degree Programs in Colorado Springs

InstitutionDegree LevelsFormatNotable StrengthUniversity of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS)Bachelor’s, Master’sOn-campusNSA Designation, Research FocusPikes Peak State College (PPSC)AssociateOn-campusAffordable Workforce EntryColorado Technical University (CTU)Bachelor’s, Master’sOnline & HybridFlexible Scheduling

University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS)

UCCS offers one of the most academically rigorous cybersecurity programs in the region. Its Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with a cybersecurity track and related graduate programs emphasize secure software development, network defense, cryptography, and advanced computing systems.

Strengths include:

• Strong ties to military and federal cybersecurity employers
• Research labs focused on information assurance and secure systems
• Preparation for Security+, CISSP, and CEH certifications
• Competitive internship placements with defense contractors

This program is ideal for students pursuing high-level cybersecurity engineering or research roles.

Pikes Peak State College (PPSC)

PPSC offers an Associate of Applied Science in Cybersecurity and network security related pathways. The program focuses heavily on technical skills and rapid workforce entry.

Program highlights:

• Lower tuition compared to four-year institutions
• Hands-on training in network defense and system administration
• Direct preparation for CompTIA certifications
• Transfer pathways to four-year Colorado universities

This option is well-suited for students who want to enter IT security roles quickly or later complete a bachelor’s degree.

Colorado Technical University (CTU)

CTU provides flexible undergraduate and graduate degree programs in cybersecurity, including online options that benefit working professionals and military personnel.

Key advantages include:

• Multiple start dates per year
• Curriculum aligned with current cybersecurity certifications
• Focus on practical, applied security skills
• Support for active-duty military and veterans

CTU is particularly strong for adult learners balancing education with career responsibilities.

Degree Levels and Career Alignment

Associate Degree in Cybersecurity

Typical roles:

• IT Security Technician
• Network Support Specialist
• Junior Systems Administrator

Average local salary range: $55,000 to $75,000 depending on certifications and clearance.

Bachelor’s Degree in Cybersecurity

Typical roles:

• Cybersecurity Analyst
• Security Engineer
• Information Assurance Analyst

Average local salary range: $70,000 to $95,000. Security clearance significantly increases compensation.

Master’s Degree in Cybersecurity

Typical roles:

• Cybersecurity Architect
• Security Consultant
• Information Security Manager

Average regional salary often exceeds $110,000, particularly in defense-focused organizations.

Tuition and Financial Aid Considerations

Costs vary by institution and residency status. Community colleges offer the lowest tuition for in-state students, while public universities provide competitive rates compared to private institutions.

Students should explore:

• Federal Pell Grants
• GI Bill benefits for veterans
• Department of Defense Cyber Scholarship Programs
• Institution-specific cybersecurity scholarships

Participation in work-study or paid internships with defense contractors can offset education costs while building security clearance credentials.

What Makes a Cybersecurity Program Stand Out?

NSA Center of Academic Excellence Designation

This recognition signals that a program meets rigorous federal cybersecurity education standards. It can enhance employer trust and internship access.

Cyber Ranges and Hands-On Labs

Strong programs include simulated cyber attack environments where students practice real-time defense strategies.

Industry Partnerships

Programs connected to local contractors and military installations provide job pipelines unavailable in many other regions.

Certification Integration

Top programs align coursework with:

• CompTIA Security+
• Network+
• Certified Ethical Hacker
• CISSP

Local Cybersecurity Job Outlook

Cybersecurity demand in Colorado Springs continues to grow due to expansion in space defense and national security operations. Positions requiring security clearance are especially competitive and offer higher salary ranges.

Employers in the region frequently prioritize candidates with:

• Hands-on experience
• Active or eligible security clearance
• Certification credentials
• Bachelor’s degrees or higher

This makes selecting a program with strong federal and defense partnerships critical for long-term career success.

How to Choose the Right Cybersecurity Degree for You

• If you want rapid workforce entry, consider PPSC’s associate pathway.
• If you aim for engineering or architecture roles, UCCS offers stronger research depth.
• If you need scheduling flexibility, CTU provides online and hybrid accessibility.
• If your goal is defense-sector employment, prioritize programs with federal internship pipelines.

Selecting the best cybersecurity degree in Colorado Springs depends on your career timeline, financial considerations, and desired employer sector. The region’s strong defense presence makes it one of the most strategic locations in the country to launch or advance a cybersecurity career.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cybersecurity Degrees in Colorado Springs

Why should you study cybersecurity in Colorado Springs?

You study cybersecurity in Colorado Springs to be close to major defense and space employers, including U.S. Space Command and large contractors. This gives you strong access to internships, clearance-based roles, and higher-than-average entry-level salaries in security.

Which schools offer the top cybersecurity degrees in Colorado Springs?

You will find leading cybersecurity options at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS), Pikes Peak State College (PPSC), and Colorado Technical University (CTU). UCCS focuses on research depth, PPSC on affordable workforce entry, and CTU on flexible online and hybrid formats.

What should you look for in a Colorado Springs cybersecurity program?

You should look for NSA Center of Academic Excellence designation, regional or ABET accreditation, hands-on labs or cyber ranges, and coursework that lines up with certifications like CompTIA Security+, CEH, and CISSP. Strong ties to local defense and federal employers are also important for internships and jobs.

How much can you earn with a cybersecurity degree in Colorado Springs?

With an associate degree, you often earn around $55,000 to $75,000 in roles like security technician or junior admin. With a bachelor’s, common starting pay is about $70,000 to $95,000, and a master’s can help you move into roles that often exceed $110,000 in defense-focused organizations, especially with a security clearance.

Is an associate, bachelor’s, or master’s in cybersecurity better for you?

If you want to enter the workforce quickly, an associate degree at PPSC can be a good fit. If you aim for analyst, engineer, or architect roles, a bachelor’s or master’s at UCCS or CTU offers deeper theory and leadership paths. Your choice depends on how fast you want to start work and how far you plan to advance.

How can you reduce the cost of a cybersecurity degree in Colorado Springs?

You can lower costs by starting at a community college like PPSC, using federal aid such as Pell Grants, applying GI Bill benefits if you are a veteran, and looking for DoD cyber scholarships and school-based awards. Paid internships and co-op roles with local defense contractors can also help you earn while you study and build clearance eligibility.