University of Phoenix Online Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity

The University of Phoenix online B.S. in Cybersecurity is built around EC-Council certification alignment, a Computer Forensics Lab and two capstone projects, delivered in 5- to 6-week courses. It's a good match for working adults who want certification-ready coursework in a fully online format, and a pricey one once the per-course resource fee is added.

The University of Phoenix is an online-focused private for-profit university based in Arizona. The Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity is 120 credits, with 3 credits per course, and the courses run five to six weeks each. What sets it apart on paper is the certification link.

Phoenix says its courses align to EC-Council certification exams, including the Certified Secure Computer User, Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) and Certified Network Defender, and it offers discounts on third-party exam fees. The degree also lists a Computer Forensics Lab and two capstone projects that require a demonstration of cybersecurity knowledge and skills learned in the program.

Phoenix also offers an associate and a master's in the same field, so you can start at the level that fits your background.

Phoenix charges $398 per credit, and the degree is 120 credits, so tuition comes to $47,760. A $170 resource fee applies to each course, and a typical 3-credit course is $1,364. Because the fee comes on every course, it adds a large amount over a 120-credit degree, so ask for a full cost estimate including fees.

Phoenix says it offers discounts on third-party exam fees, which can matter if you plan to sit for the CEH or the other exams. For comparison, the associate degree is 63 credits at the same $398 rate, and the master's is 39 credits. If you have an associate degree or earlier college credit, transfer is the biggest way to lower this bill, so ask what Phoenix will accept.

120 credits at $398 a credit comes to $47,760 in tuition, before fees.

Who It Fits

• Working adults who want certification-ready coursework. The program page lists three EC-Council exams its courses align with.
• Students who want to practice forensics skills, because the program includes a Computer Forensics Lab.
• People who prefer short courses. Five- to six-week classes mean you focus on one subject at a time.
• Students starting from scratch, since Phoenix also offers a 63-credit associate degree that can serve as a first step.

Who Should Skip It

• Students watching the total price. Tuition is $398 per credit, which is $47,760 for 120 credits, and a $170 resource fee applies to each course.
• Anyone for whom graduation odds matter most. The federal graduation rate for the school is 21 percent.
• Students who want a public university or a research-heavy curriculum.

Phoenix points to EC-Council certification alignment as the backbone of the program. The Certified Secure Computer User is an entry-level awareness exam, the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) tests offensive techniques, and the Certified Network Defender covers defending networks. That ladder gives you a reason to study each topic, since each course maps to something an employer may ask about.

The program also names a Computer Forensics Lab, which is where students practice investigating incidents. The coursework ends with two capstone projects that ask you to demonstrate what you've learned, which gives you something concrete to show an interviewer. Ask which courses map to which exam so you can plan your study order.

Standout Features

• Computer Forensics Lab
• Courses align to EC-Council certification exams including Certified Ethical Hacker
• Discounts on third-party exam fees

The federal data shows 100 percent of students at Phoenix are enrolled exclusively online, and the school's enrollment is 111,248. In practice the school is built for distance students, with courses designed for working adults.

Courses run five to six weeks, so term deadlines come quickly and falling behind is costly. Ask whether classes are live or self-paced. The Computer Forensics Lab is part of the offering, and you should ask how it works for distance students.

Phoenix lists three EC-Council exams its courses align to: Certified Secure Computer User, Certified Ethical Hacker and Certified Network Defender. Alignment is not the same as an exam pass or a free voucher, so ask whether exam fees are included or only discounted.

Ask whether the degree carries any programmatic accreditation. Federal data lists median earnings of $71,385 for the school's graduates, a figure that covers the school broadly and isn't specific to cybersecurity.

Where this degree can lead: Cybersecurity Degree Jobs.

The full rubric is on the methodology page.

• The $170 resource fee on each course adds to tuition of $47,760.
• The federal graduation rate is 21 percent.
• Short 5- to 6-week courses leave little room to catch up after a busy week.
• Ask about the transfer-credit limit and programmatic accreditation before you enroll.

• What is the all-in cost for 120 credits, including the $170 resource fee on each course?
• How many credits from my earlier college work or associate degree will you accept?
• Which courses align to the Certified Ethical Hacker and Certified Network Defender exams?
• Are exam vouchers included, or only discounted?
• How does the Computer Forensics Lab work for online students?
• What do the two capstone projects require, and who reviews them?

Online-focused university based in Arizona.

• Best Programs With Certifications Rank 7 of 10, bachelor's
• Best Online Programs in Arizona Rank 1 of 5, bachelor's

• Master of Science in Cybersecurity

  M.S., Master's

  Fully Online $698 per credit Score 54.9

• Associate of Science in Cybersecurity

  A.S., Associate

  Fully Online $398 per credit Score 51.4

• Colorado Technical University

  Bachelor of Science in Computer Science - Cybersecurity Engineering Concentration

  Colorado $340 per credit Score 55.2

• Fort Hays State University

  Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Information Networking and Telecommunications (Cybersecurity)

  Kansas $275.65 per credit Score 55.4

• Stevenson University

  Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics, B.S.

  Maryland $470 per credit Score 55.9

• Old Dominion University

  Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity

  Virginia $453 per credit Score 56.1