A cybersecurity course recommended for college credit can cost $250 per course, though some students may have access to a monthly plan. The right price depends on how long you need access, how many courses you plan to take, and whether your college will apply the recommended credit to your degree.
How much do cybersecurity courses cost?
Costs vary by provider and payment model. For a useful comparison, look at the total you expect to pay during your study period, not just the advertised monthly amount.
The table shows UPI Study’s payment options for the Cybersecurity course and its broader course plans.
| Option | Price |
|---|---|
| One course, lifetime access (everyone) | $250 |
| US: monthly, all courses | $99/month |
| US: 4 months | $279 |
| US: 1 year | $495 |
| US: lifetime, all courses | $599 |
| International: 6-course bundle | $1,400 |
| International: 12-course bundle | $2,300 |
| International: 24-course bundle | $4,000 |
For a US student taking only this course, two monthly payments cost less than the single-course purchase; three monthly payments cost more. The single-course purchase provides lifetime access to that course, so the better choice also depends on whether you want ongoing access and whether you intend to take other courses. International students can choose the per-course option or a bundle, but not a subscription or all-course lifetime plan.
What is the cheapest online degree in cybersecurity?
There is not enough information here to identify the cheapest online cybersecurity degree. A single course can be part of a degree plan, but its price is not the price of the full degree.
When comparing programs, ask each college for the total cost to finish based on your existing coursework. Check how many credits you still need, which courses must be taken at that college, and any other charges that apply.
For a way to think through the starting point, see the cybersecurity degree pathway guide.
Which colleges have matched Cybersecurity? 17 colleges confirm UPI Study's Cybersecurity (Computer Science 270, 3 credits), according to their equivalency pages on UPI Study. Here are 12 of them, with the course it counts as at each:
| College | Course it counts as | Credits | How it counts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas Edison State University | CYB-1200 Introduction to Cybersecurity | 3 | Transfers |
| Southern New Hampshire University | CYB200 Cybersecurity Foundations | 3 | In SNHU's Work & Life Experience database |
| University of the People | General Elective (UoPeople) | 3 | Transfers (Elective) |
| Penn State | SRA – Security and Risk Analysis Transfer Credit | 3 | Transfers |
| Post University | CIS 1XX - CIS Elective | 3 | Transfers |
| Strayer University | Network Security Fundamentals (CIS333) | 3 | Transfers |
| Columbia Southern University | Open Electives | 3 | Transfers |
| Indiana Tech | CYS 1100 Introduction to Cybersecurity | 3 | Transfers |
| UA Grantham | IS211 (Intro to Information Systems Security) | 3 | Transfers |
| University of Management and Technology | CST 310 Introduction to Cybersecurity | 3 | Transfers |
| Crestpoint University | General Elective (Crestpoint) | 3 | Transfers (Elective) |
| Dunlap-Stone University | General Education Technology | 3 | Transfers |
Also confirmed by Maestro, Newlane, Nexford, Pathways, Woodmont.
See Cybersecurity on UPI Study →
ACE and NCCRS have over 2,100 cooperating colleges that will consider accepting credits; the final decision is with the universities. Each college confirms the course when it evaluates your transcript.
What are the cheapest cybersecurity options compared in universities?
Compare options by the requirements they satisfy, not just their course prices. A lower-priced course may be less useful to you if your college applies it as an elective when you need a specific cybersecurity requirement.
Ask an academic advisor to review the course name, code, credit recommendation, and syllabus. Ask whether it would count toward your major, a general requirement, or an elective, and get the answer in writing before enrolling.
The following table summarizes the course details you can bring to that conversation.
| Cybersecurity | Detail |
|---|---|
| Course code | Computer Science 270 |
| College credits | 3 semester credits |
| Credit recommended by | ACE and NCCRS |
| Format | Self-paced, online, on UPI Study's platform |
| Chapters | 14 chapters, 67 study hours in the syllabus |
| To pass | A score of 70 or above (NCCRS requirement) |
| Price (one course, lifetime access) | $250 |
| US plans (all courses) | $99/month · $279/4 months · $495/year · $599 lifetime |
The Complete Resource for Cybersecurity Costs
UPI Study has a full resource page built specifically for cybersecurity costs — covering which courses count and how to get started at $250 per course with no deadlines. Your college decides how credits transfer.
See the Cybersecurity course →What is a cyber security course all about?
A cybersecurity course introduces ways to protect systems and data, identify threats, and respond to incidents. For example, network security covers how to limit unwanted access, while incident response covers what to do after a suspected attack.
The syllabus below outlines UPI Study’s Cybersecurity topics, lessons, and study hours. It includes networking, cryptography, web security, cloud security, and hands-on labs.
| # | Chapter | Lessons | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to Cybersecurity | Understanding Cybersecurity: Importance and Scope; Cyber Threat Landscape: Types of Cyber Threats; The CIA Triad: Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability; Security Principles: Least Privilege, Defense in Depth, Zero Trust | 3 |
| 2 | Networking Basics for Cybersecurity | Understanding Networks: LAN, WAN, Internet; IP Addressing, Subnetting, and CIDR; TCP/IP Model vs. OSI Model; Common Network Protocols: HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, DNS, SMTP | 5 |
| 3 | Cyber Threats & Attack Techniques | Malware Types: Viruses, Trojans, Ransomware, Worms, Rootkits; Phishing, Spear Phishing, and Social Engineering; DoS and DDoS Attacks: How They Work and Prevention; Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) Attacks | 7 |
| 4 | Operating System Security | Windows Security: UAC, Windows Defender, BitLocker; Linux Security: Permissions, iptables, SELinux; MacOS Security: Gatekeeper, XProtect, System Integrity Protection; Hardening Operating Systems: Patching, Least Privilege | 5 |
| 5 | Cryptography & Secure Communications | Symmetric vs. Asymmetric Encryption; Hashing and Digital Signatures; TLS/SSL: How HTTPS Works; PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) | 5 |
| 6 | Web Security & Application Security | Web Application Attacks: SQL Injection, XSS, CSRF; OWASP Top 10: Understanding Web App Security Risks; Secure Coding Practices for Developers; API Security: Threats and Best Practices | 5 |
If the terminology is new, the cybersecurity glossary for beginners can help you understand common security terms.
What courses do you need for cyber security?
The courses you need depend on your college’s degree requirements and your goals. A program may include networking, operating systems, programming, and security topics alongside general education courses.
Before choosing an individual course, compare its syllabus with your degree plan. Ask your advisor whether it fills a requirement you still need rather than repeating material you have already completed.
Which colleges list Cybersecurity on an equivalency chart?
These colleges show Cybersecurity (Computer Science 270) on their equivalency charts with UPI Study. Open a college for its full chart.
| College | Equivalent course | Credits | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSU | Open Electives | 3 | Confirmed on the college's chart |
| Dunlap-Stone | General Education Technology | 3 | Confirmed on the college's chart |
| Indiana Tech | CYS 1100 – Introduction to Cybersecurity | 3 | Confirmed on the college's chart |
| Newlane | Elective | 3 | Confirmed on the college's chart |
| Nexford | Technology Elective | 3 | Confirmed on the college's chart |
| Penn State | SRA – Security and Risk Analysis Transfer Credit | 3 | Confirmed on the college's chart |
| Post University | CIS 1XX - CIS Elective | 3 | Confirmed on the college's chart |
| SNHU | CYB200 – Cybersecurity Foundations | 3 | Confirmed on the college's chart |
See the rest of the equivalency on the Cybersecurity course page, or open a college above for its full chart. ACE and NCCRS have over 2,100 cooperating colleges that will consider accepting credits; the final decision is with the universities.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cybersecurity Costs
UPI Study’s Cybersecurity course costs $250 when purchased per course, with lifetime access to that course. US students can also choose an all-course plan, while international students can choose a per-course purchase or bundle.
The cost depends on the college, the program, and the coursework you still need. A single course price does not represent the cost of an entire degree, so ask each college for an estimate based on your situation.
There is not enough information here to identify the cheapest degree. Compare each program’s estimated cost to finish and how it would apply your existing coursework.
Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting digital systems, networks, and data from threats. It includes preventing attacks, detecting problems, and responding when incidents occur.
CIA stands for confidentiality, integrity, and availability. These principles concern keeping data private, keeping it accurate, and making it accessible when needed.
SOC stands for security operations center. It is a team or function that monitors for security threats and helps respond to incidents.
SIEM stands for security information and event management. A SIEM system collects and analyzes security data, such as logs, to help identify suspicious activity.
A distributed denial-of-service, or DDoS, attack overwhelms a service with traffic from multiple sources. The goal is often to make the service unavailable to legitimate users.
Final Thoughts on Cybersecurity Costs
Start by asking your college how the course would count toward your degree. Then choose a payment option based on your expected study time and whether you need access to other courses.
Three roads, one of them is yours
Ready to Earn College Credit?
Credit recommended by ACE and NCCRS · Self-paced · Your college decides how credits transfer · $250/course or $99/month (US)
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