Minnesota State College Southeast Online Cybersecurity and Network Administration (A.A.S.)

This is a practical, low-cost associate degree for someone who wants both networking and security skills and a clear tie to industry certifications. The school says the program aligns with 10 industry certifications from partners such as CompTIA, Cisco and Microsoft. It is a small program at a small college, so ask plenty of questions about course details before you apply.

Minnesota State College Southeast is a public two-year college in Winona, Minnesota. Its Cyber and Information Security programs are listed on an online campus, and this 60-credit Cybersecurity and Network Administration Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) is delivered fully online.

The name tells you the angle. Network administration is in the title, so you learn how business networks are built and run, and then how to protect them. That mix suits help desk and junior network jobs where one person handles both the setup and the security.

The college also offers a Cyber and Information Security A.A.S. That degree blends networking, cybersecurity and digital forensics with criminal justice coursework on evidence handling and testifying in court. This one stays on the network and systems side.

The full rubric is on the methodology page.

The college cost estimate is about $13,206 in tuition and fees for the full degree, plus roughly $750 for books and supplies.

This is a public two-year college, so the price is low compared with most bachelor's degree routes. The estimate comes from the college, and it is worth confirming whether your residency changes the number. Ask about technology fees for online students and whether certification exams cost extra.

Who It Fits

• People aiming at network administrator, systems administrator or junior security analyst roles
• Students who want coursework tied to CompTIA, Cisco and Microsoft certifications
• Minnesota-area learners and others who want a public two-year price tag
• Career changers who want a two-year credential before deciding on a bachelor's degree

Who Should Skip It

• Anyone interested in digital forensics and legal procedure, who should look at the college's Cyber and Information Security A.A.S.
• Students who need a school with a large number of cybersecurity graduates each year, since this is a small program
• Learners who want a bachelor's degree outcome without checking how the credits transfer first

The program requires 60 credits. The school describes it as designed to align with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and National Security Agency (NSA) curriculum for earning the NSA CAE-CD (Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense) designation. That is alignment, not a stated designation, so treat it as a sign of the curriculum's focus rather than a credential for the school.

The more useful detail is the certification alignment. The program ties into 10 industry certifications from partners such as CompTIA, Cisco and Microsoft. In practice, that means the courses are built around the same topics those vendors test: networking fundamentals, operating systems, and security basics.

If you want a forensics and criminal justice course mix, the sibling program is the better fit.

Standout Features

• Aligns with 10 industry certifications from partners such as CompTIA, Cisco and Microsoft
• Designed to align with the Department of Homeland Security and NSA curriculum for the NSA CAE-CD designation (alignment, not a stated designation)

The program is listed on an online campus, and all 60 credits can be completed online. Federal data shows 37% of Minnesota State College Southeast undergraduates study exclusively online, so you will be one of many distance students instead of an exception.

The college is a small campus in a town setting, with about 2,331 students. A small school often means you can reach instructors directly, which helps in a technical program where one stuck lab can cost a week.

Ask how labs are delivered. Networking practice usually needs virtual equipment or simulation tools, and you should know what software and hardware you need at home.

Certifications are the main credential story here. The program lists CompTIA, Cisco and Microsoft as the certification partners, with alignment to 10 certifications in all. Ask which specific exams the courses prepare you for, such as Security+ or CCNA.

For a hiring manager, a degree plus one or two of these certifications is a stronger package than either alone. Plan to sit the exams close to the courses that cover them while the material is fresh.

The college's federal graduation rate is 47%, and the completion rate for students who transfer in is 50.5%.

Where this degree can lead: Cybersecurity Degree Jobs.

• The program is small, with very few awards each year, so there is less track record to judge than at a large school.
• The NSA alignment is a curriculum design goal, not a designation held by the school.
• The tuition figure is the college's estimate, so confirm the final bill with the college, including any exam costs.

• Which of the 10 aligned certifications do the courses actually prepare me to take, and are exam vouchers included?
• How are the networking labs delivered online, and what equipment or software do I need at home?
• How do the credits transfer to a bachelor's degree program in Minnesota or elsewhere?
• What jobs have recent graduates of this program taken?
• How does this degree differ from the Cyber and Information Security A.A.S. in the courses I take?
• What is my actual tuition if I am not a Minnesota resident?

A public two-year college in Winona, Minnesota, whose Cyber and Information Security programs are listed on an online campus.

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