Southern Arkansas University Tech Online Associate of Applied Science in Cybersecurity

This is a low-priced way to start a cybersecurity career, and it includes something many budget programs lack: a Cyber Range virtual lab where you simulate real attacks. It is a two-year applied degree from a small public college in Camden, Arkansas, aimed at entry-level work and at Security+, Network+ and Linux administration. Check how the credits transfer before you pick it if a bachelor's degree is your end goal.

Southern Arkansas University Tech is a public college in Camden, a rural town in Arkansas. The Associate of Applied Science in Cybersecurity is available in person and fully online, and the college lists 100% online associate degrees as part of its online campus.

The program stands out for two reasons. The first is the Cyber Range, a virtual lab built through a partnership with CyberBit, where students simulate real-world cyberattacks. The second is price: OnlineU has rated it one of the most affordable online cybersecurity degrees in the U.S.

Federal data shows 4 awards per year in this field at the college, so you are joining a small program, not a lecture hall of hundreds.

The full rubric is on the methodology page.

Tuition is $120 per credit hour for Arkansas residents and $170 for everyone else. Listed tuition is not the whole bill: the college also charges per-credit-hour processing, facility use, technology, activity, security and internet course fees.

The school advertises $579 per 3-credit course for online students, which is the number to plan around because it already includes those add-ons. The all-in cost per credit is therefore higher than the tuition line suggests, which is why the course price is the better planning figure.

Ask the bursar for a full-program estimate before you enroll.

Who It Fits

• Arkansas residents, who pay $120 per credit hour for tuition, compared with $170 for everyone else.
• Beginners who want a first credential and a practical path to entry-level IT and security work, with Security+, Network+ and Linux administration preparation.
• People who learn by doing and want lab time inside the degree. The Cyber Range is a stated feature.
• Budget-conscious students anywhere, since the out-of-state tuition rate is also modest at $170 per credit.

Who Should Skip It

• Students whose main goal is to transfer into a four-year cybersecurity program. An applied science degree is built for the workforce, so check with the bachelor's school you want about how these credits count.
• Students who want a large online community. Federal data shows 30% of undergraduates at the college study exclusively online, so many classmates are on campus.
• Anyone who wants to compare a full course map against other programs before applying. Request the degree plan from the school first.

The program prepares you for three areas. Security+ and Network+ are entry-level certifications that show up on many help desk and junior security job descriptions. Linux administration covers the operating system behind a large share of servers and security tools.

The Cyber Range is the standout. Through the CyberBit partnership, students work in a virtual lab and simulate real-world cyberattacks. That kind of practice makes a résumé line concrete in an interview, because you can describe what you actually did, not only what you studied.

Because this is an applied associate, expect coursework that leans toward skills you can use on the job. Ask for the degree plan if you want to see the course sequence.

Standout Features

• Cyber Range virtual lab through a CyberBit partnership where students simulate real-world cyberattacks
• Rated one of the most affordable online cybersecurity degrees in the U.S. by OnlineU

The program is offered both in person and fully online, so you can choose. The online campus lets students finish entire associate degrees without coming to Camden.

Because the lab is a virtual Cyber Range, the hands-on work travels with you. Confirm term lengths and start dates with an advisor if you are working around a job.

The degree prepares you for Security+, Network+ and Linux administration. These are certifications you earn separately by passing an exam, so budget for exam fees on top of tuition.

Federal outcome data lists a 62% graduation rate for the college overall and 56% of transfer-in students earning an award within eight years. Both are school-wide numbers, not specific to this program, but they suggest it is realistic to finish. The rural setting does not limit the online degree, though local internship options will depend on where you live.

Where this degree can lead: Cybersecurity Degree Jobs.

• It is an A.A.S., which is designed for entering the workforce, so not every bachelor's program will accept all of the credits.
• Tuition is only part of the cost because several per-credit-hour fees apply on top of it.
• The school is small and the program is small, so the course list and alumni network are limited compared with a large university.

• How many credits is the degree, and can I see the full course sequence?
• Which bachelor's programs have accepted this degree for transfer, and how many credits did they take?
• Does the Cyber Range lab work count toward specific courses, and can online students use it on any schedule?
• Is any help available with exam fees for Security+ and Network+?
• What is the all-in cost per 3-credit course for my residency status after fees?

• Best Online Cybersecurity Degrees Rank 4 of 10, associate
• Best Online Associate Programs Rank 4 of 10, associate
• Best Affordable Online Programs Rank 5 of 10, associate
• Best Public University Programs Rank 4 of 10, associate
• Best 100% Online Programs Rank 4 of 10, associate
• Best Programs With Certifications Rank 1 of 10, associate

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