Northern Virginia Community College Online Cybersecurity, A.A.S.

NOVA's A.A.S. in Cybersecurity is a 65-credit associate degree at $232.05 per credit for Virginia residents, about $15,083.25 in total, with a 24/7 virtual lab and prep mapped to CompTIA Security+. It suits a Virginia resident who wants hands-on practice and certification credit at community-college prices. Out-of-state students pay $480.40 per credit.

Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) is a public community college headquartered in Annandale, Virginia, with an enrollment of 56,457 students. The Associate of Applied Science in Cybersecurity is listed under NOVA Online in the college catalog, and the college says its classes come in person, online and hybrid.

That last point is worth knowing. The discovery page describes a range of formats, so confirm with an adviser which required courses are offered online each term before you plan a fully remote schedule.

You earn an Associate of Applied Science in Cybersecurity. The college lists certification prep for CompTIA A+, Network+, Linux+ and Security+, the Google IT Support Professional Certificate, ISC2's CISSP and EC-Council's Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH).

Prep means the content lines up with those exams, not that the degree includes them. Federal data shows graduates of NOVA's programs in this field earn a median $77,908. That's a number to compare against the roles you're aiming at.

Where this degree can lead: Cybersecurity Degree Jobs.

Who It Fits

• You live in Virginia. The in-state rate is less than half the out-of-state one, and that gap is the reason this program stands out on cost.
• You already hold a certification such as CompTIA Security+. NOVA says you can gain credit for coursework you've already mastered.
• You want to practice, not just read. The college offers a 24/7 virtual lab with remote access to cybersecurity tools from your own device.
• You want an internship built into the plan. A coordinated internship course, ITN 290, is listed in the plan of study.

Who Should Skip It

• You live outside Virginia. At $480.40 per credit, the program loses most of its price advantage.
• You want classmates who are almost all online. Federal data shows only 23% of NOVA undergraduates study exclusively online, so most of the campus community is local.

NOVA builds the coursework around the National Security Agency (NSA) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Knowledge Units, the topic lists those agencies use to define a cyber defense education. The college names these courses: Network Security Basics, Network Attacks, Computer Crime and Hacking, Computer Forensics, Malware Analysis, and Legal Topics in Network Security.

That mix covers the technical side, from attacks to forensics to malware, and a legal course that most associate programs skip. The college also hosts cybersecurity competitions, including the Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition. Ask whether online students can take part.

Courses the School Names

• Network Security Basics
• Network Attacks, Computer Crime and Hacking
• Computer Forensics
• Malware Analysis
• Legal Topics in Network Security

Standout Features

• 24/7 Virtual Lab with remote access to cybersecurity tools from your own device
• Coursework built around NSA and DHS Knowledge Units
• Hosts hands-on cybersecurity competitions including the Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition

NOVA publishes two rates for Fall 2026, Spring 2027 and Summer 2027. Virginia residents pay $232.05 per credit, which comes to $15,083.25 for the 65 credits. Out-of-state students pay $480.40 per credit, or $31,226.

Both rates include tuition and fees, including a $22.50 per credit fee for NOVA All Access textbooks, which you can opt out of. If you'd rather buy books yourself, ask what that does to your cost.

65 credits at $480.40 a credit comes to $31,226 in tuition, before fees. At the in-state rate of $232.05, the same 65 credits come to $15,083.

NOVA Online is the college's name for its distance classes. Federal data shows 23% of NOVA undergraduates study exclusively online, a lot of people in absolute terms at a college this large, but a minority.

The virtual lab is the part that makes online study workable. Remote access to cybersecurity tools means you can practice on your own laptop at night. Ask whether the lab includes the tools used in the courses you're taking in your first year, and who answers questions when something won't load.

The full rubric is on the methodology page.

• Federal data shows an 8-year completion rate of 23% for transfer-in students, which is low. Ask what advising exists for part-time students.
• The catalog lists in-person, online and hybrid classes, so not every course may be offered online every term.
• At 65 credits, the degree is longer than a standard 60-credit associate.
• Out-of-state students pay $480.40 per credit, so the savings depend on your residency.

• Can I finish all 65 credits online, and are any required courses in person only?
• Which certifications can I use for credit, and how do I submit them?
• How does the internship course ITN 290 work for someone studying online?
• Can I opt out of the $22.50 per credit textbook fee, and what would books cost instead?
• Does my residency status qualify for the Virginia rate?
• Can online students join the cybersecurity competitions NOVA hosts?

• Best Programs With Internships Rank 2 of 10, associate
• Best Programs With Certifications Rank 6 of 10, associate
• Best Online Programs in Virginia Rank 1 of 2, associate

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