What is Cyber Security?
Best Cyber Security Programs in Illinois
If you're considering a cyber security degree and plan to work in Illinois, attending a local college or university can give you a competitive advantage. Many Illinois institutions have established connections with nearby employers and offer programs designed to meet regional hiring standards, increasing your chances of landing a job in the state.
Key Skills and Responsibilities
Cyber security graduates are equipped to tackle a variety of critical tasks, including:
- Monitoring networks for breaches and vulnerabilities.
- Investigating security violations and preparing detailed reports.
- Installing firewalls, encryption software, and other protective measures.
- Conducting penetration tests to identify system weaknesses.
- Combatting cyber threats like malware, phishing, ransomware, and password theft.
- Developing and recommending enhanced security standards.
Illinois cyber security programs often focus on providing hands-on experience and industry-relevant coursework, ensuring graduates are prepared to address today’s most pressing digital security challenges.
Security professionals are essential for safeguarding society as technology becomes integral to daily life, from social media and shopping to work communications and patient records. Their expertise in information security grows increasingly vital with our reliance on technology. Individuals who are best suited for cyber security jobs tend to be highly detailed oriented and often enjoy solving problems. The most successful professionals in the field also likely possess great analytical and ingenuity skills.
Top Ranked Campus & Online Cybersecurity Programs in Illinois
1
Northwestern University
Score: 90.84
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $65,997
- Out-of-State:$65,997
- Net Price: $22,095
- Acceptance Rate: 7%
- Retention Rate: 98%
- Graduation Rate: 97%
- Total Enrollment: 23,161
- Undergrad Students: 8,993
- Graduate Students: 14,168
- Grads Salary: $89,000
- Student-to-faculty: 6:1
2
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Score: 84.54
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $16,004
- Out-of-State:$34,501
- Net Price: $14,544
- Acceptance Rate: 45%
- Retention Rate: 93%
- Graduation Rate: 85%
- Total Enrollment: 56,916
- Undergrad Students: 35,120
- Graduate Students: 21,796
- Grads Salary: $84,000
- Student-to-faculty: 21:1
3
Illinois Institute of Technology
Score: 78.13
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $51,763
- Out-of-State:$51,763
- Net Price: $28,702
- Acceptance Rate: 61%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 75%
- Total Enrollment: 6,943
- Undergrad Students: 3,125
- Graduate Students: 3,818
- Grads Salary: $91,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
4
Millikin University
Score: 74.03
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $43,670
- Out-of-State:$43,670
- Net Price: $10,492
- Acceptance Rate: 75%
- Retention Rate: 70%
- Graduation Rate: 58%
- Total Enrollment: 1,807
- Undergrad Students: 1,708
- Graduate Students: 99
- Grads Salary: $78,000
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
5
Bradley University
Score: 73.85
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $39,680
- Out-of-State:$39,680
- Net Price: $24,053
- Acceptance Rate: 75%
- Retention Rate: 83%
- Graduation Rate: 76%
- Total Enrollment: 5,552
- Undergrad Students: 4,143
- Graduate Students: 1,409
- Grads Salary: $78,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
6
Lewis University
Score: 72.43
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $37,882
- Out-of-State:$37,882
- Net Price: $19,184
- Acceptance Rate: 74%
- Retention Rate: 81%
- Graduation Rate: 62%
- Total Enrollment: 6,513
- Undergrad Students: 3,933
- Graduate Students: 2,580
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
7
Saint Xavier University
Score: 71.87
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $36,840
- Out-of-State:$36,840
- Net Price: $11,302
- Acceptance Rate: 84%
- Retention Rate: 71%
- Graduation Rate: 53%
- Total Enrollment: 3,523
- Undergrad Students: 2,981
- Graduate Students: 542
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
8
University of Illinois Springfield
Score: 70.89
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,252
- Out-of-State:$22,017
- Net Price: $11,733
- Acceptance Rate: 82%
- Retention Rate: 76%
- Graduation Rate: 53%
- Total Enrollment: 4,198
- Undergrad Students: 2,393
- Graduate Students: 1,805
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
9
Olivet Nazarene University
Score: 70.27
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $37,940
- Out-of-State:$37,940
- Net Price: $20,059
- Acceptance Rate: 58%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 67%
- Total Enrollment: 3,255
- Undergrad Students: 2,519
- Graduate Students: 736
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
10
Wheaton College
Score: 69.55
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $43,930
- Out-of-State:$43,930
- Net Price: $29,961
- Acceptance Rate: 88%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 88%
- Total Enrollment: 2,885
- Undergrad Students: 2,163
- Graduate Students: 722
- Grads Salary: $67,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
11
DePaul University
Score: 69.19
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $44,460
- Out-of-State:$44,460
- Net Price: $32,151
- Acceptance Rate: 70%
- Retention Rate: 84%
- Graduation Rate: 69%
- Total Enrollment: 20,917
- Undergrad Students: 14,134
- Graduate Students: 6,783
- Grads Salary: $80,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
12
North Central College
Score: 68.79
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $44,394
- Out-of-State:$44,394
- Net Price: $25,285
- Acceptance Rate: 61%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 63%
- Total Enrollment: 2,695
- Undergrad Students: 2,368
- Graduate Students: 327
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
13
Western Illinois University
Score: 68.47
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,952
- Out-of-State:$14,952
- Net Price: $11,213
- Acceptance Rate: 75%
- Retention Rate: 67%
- Graduation Rate: 47%
- Total Enrollment: 7,643
- Undergrad Students: 5,309
- Graduate Students: 2,334
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
14
Illinois State University
Score: 68.27
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $16,021
- Out-of-State:$28,086
- Net Price: $20,551
- Acceptance Rate: 86%
- Retention Rate: 80%
- Graduation Rate: 67%
- Total Enrollment: 20,683
- Undergrad Students: 18,055
- Graduate Students: 2,628
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
15
Elmhurst University
Score: 68.06
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $41,628
- Out-of-State:$41,628
- Net Price: $24,108
- Acceptance Rate: 76%
- Retention Rate: 80%
- Graduation Rate: 64%
- Total Enrollment: 3,731
- Undergrad Students: 3,027
- Graduate Students: 704
- Grads Salary: $73,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
16
Eastern Illinois University
Score: 67.94
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,403
- Out-of-State:$15,879
- Net Price: $13,380
- Acceptance Rate: 68%
- Retention Rate: 71%
- Graduation Rate: 55%
- Total Enrollment: 8,857
- Undergrad Students: 6,916
- Graduate Students: 1,941
- Grads Salary: $69,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
17
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
Score: 67.9
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,244
- Out-of-State:$13,244
- Net Price: $16,990
- Acceptance Rate: 91%
- Retention Rate: 70%
- Graduation Rate: 49%
- Total Enrollment: 11,107
- Undergrad Students: 8,000
- Graduate Students: 3,107
- Grads Salary: $78,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
18
Illinois College
Score: 67.63
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $37,470
- Out-of-State:$37,470
- Net Price: $16,296
- Acceptance Rate: 77%
- Retention Rate: 73%
- Graduation Rate: 67%
- Total Enrollment: 1,029
- Undergrad Students: 1,028
- Graduate Students: 1
- Grads Salary: $64,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
19
Quincy University
Score: 67.49
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $35,740
- Out-of-State:$35,740
- Net Price: $11,985
- Acceptance Rate: 62%
- Retention Rate: 69%
- Graduation Rate: 50%
- Total Enrollment: 1,307
- Undergrad Students: 1,147
- Graduate Students: 160
- Grads Salary: $69,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
20
Chicago State University
Score: 66.5
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,754
- Out-of-State:$12,754
- Net Price: $6,446
- Acceptance Rate: 49%
- Retention Rate: 55%
- Graduation Rate: 28%
- Total Enrollment: 2,317
- Undergrad Students: 1,450
- Graduate Students: 867
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
21
McKendree University
Score: 65.49
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $34,070
- Out-of-State:$34,070
- Net Price: $22,431
- Acceptance Rate: 68%
- Retention Rate: 75%
- Graduation Rate: 55%
- Total Enrollment: 1,960
- Undergrad Students: 1,534
- Graduate Students: 426
- Grads Salary: $72,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
22
Loyola University Chicago
Score: 64.41
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $51,716
- Out-of-State:$51,716
- Net Price: $37,511
- Acceptance Rate: 79%
- Retention Rate: 81%
- Graduation Rate: 71%
- Total Enrollment: 16,899
- Undergrad Students: 11,703
- Graduate Students: 5,196
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
23
Aurora University
Score: 63.97
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $28,220
- Out-of-State:$28,220
- Net Price: $19,350
- Acceptance Rate: 82%
- Retention Rate: 73%
- Graduation Rate: 60%
- Total Enrollment: 5,918
- Undergrad Students: 4,048
- Graduate Students: 1,870
- Grads Salary: $65,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
24
Roosevelt University
Score: 61.94
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $20,280
- Out-of-State:$20,280
- Net Price: $22,117
- Acceptance Rate: 88%
- Retention Rate: 60%
- Graduation Rate: 43%
- Total Enrollment: 3,725
- Undergrad Students: 2,413
- Graduate Students: 1,312
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
25
Rockford University
Score: 60.87
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $37,300
- Out-of-State:$37,300
- Net Price: $25,047
- Acceptance Rate: 55%
- Retention Rate: 64%
- Graduation Rate: 40%
- Total Enrollment: 1,181
- Undergrad Students: 951
- Graduate Students: 230
- Grads Salary: $72,000
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
