Information assurance (IA) is an emerging in-demand, lucrative tech field. The best online information assurance bachelor’s degrees will give you a balanced education of technological skills, analytical skills, and problem-solving skills to land an IA job.
Schools offering the best online Bachelor’s Degree in Information Assurance provide incoming students with the right skillsets. These include using information protection tools and enhancing analytical and leadership skills.
This article is a guide to the best schools offering online information assurance bachelor’s degrees. We give you information about various online programs, including admission requirements and tuition fees. We also include details on the highest-paying information assurance bachelor’s degree jobs.
Where Can I Get an Information Assurance Bachelor’s Degree Online?
Some of the best schools to get an information assurance bachelor’s degree online are Arizona State University, Baker College, Davenport University, Penn State University World Campus, and Western Governors University.
These schools offer online information assurance bachelor’s degrees aligned with tech industry standards. The programs are 100 percent online and designed to boost the students’ employment chances and opportunities.
What Schools Offer the Best Information Assurance Bachelor’s Degrees?
- Arizona State University
- Baker College
- Davenport University
- Penn State University World Campus
- Western Governors University
What Are the Admission Requirements for an Online Information Assurance Bachelor’s Degree?
The admission requirements for an online information assurance bachelor’s degree are official transcripts, diploma, GPA, and SAT or ACT scores. Applicants may submit their GED certification and transcripts in place of a high school diploma. Some schools may require a transcript request form. Prospective students must also meet the minimum GPA to be eligible for admission.
Online Information Assurance Bachelor’s Degree Admission Requirements
- High school diploma or GED certification
- Transcripts
- ACT/SAT scores
- Transcript request form
- Minimum GPA
How to Get an Information Assurance Bachelor’s Degree Online
The best way to get a Bachelor’s Degree in Information Assurance is by fulfilling all the graduation requirements. To earn the degree, students need an average of 120 credits. Some programs may require a capstone project or thesis and an internship.
Information Assurance Online Degree Requirements
- Students need an average of 30 credits in general education subjects
- 40 to 70 credits in information technology fundamental subjects required across various concentrations
- 12 to 36 credits in information assurance-specific online courses
- An average of 6 credits for a senior year project, which is usually a capstone project or a thesis
- Minimum of 6 credits in non-essential business or technology-related subjects
- Minimum of 6 credits or 150 hours in an internship program
Best Online Information Assurance Bachelor’s Degree Programs and Schools: Overview
| School | Program | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona State University (ASU) | Bachelor of Arts in Business – Information Security | Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International) |
| Baker College | Bachelor of Science in Information Systems – Information Assurance |
Higher Learning Commission (HLC) |
| Capella University | Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, Information Assurance and Cybersecurity | Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance/Cyber Defense (CAE IA/CD) |
| Davenport University | Bachelor of Science – Cyber Defense (Information Assurance Specialty) | National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyberdefense Education (NSA/DHS CAE-CDE) Higher Learning Commission (HLC) |
| Kennesaw State University | Bachelor of Business Administration in Information Security and Assurance (BBA-ISA) | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance/Cyber Defense Education |
| Liberty University | Bachelor of Science in Information Systems – Information Assurance | Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, Accreditation Commission Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) |
| Pennsylvania State University World Campus | Bachelor of Science in Security and Risk Analysis – Information and Cyber Security |
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) National Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) in Cyber Defense |
| Purdue University Global | Bachelor of Science in Information Technology – Information Security and Assurance | Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC) of ABET |
| Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) | Bachelor of Science in Computer Science – Concentration in Information Security | New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) |
| Western Governors University (WGU) | Bachelor of Science in Online Cybersecurity and Information Assurance | Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense |
Best Schools for Information Assurance: Top Online Information Assurance Bachelor’s Degree Programs
Some of the best schools for an online information assurance bachelor’s degree include Arizona State University, Liberty University, and Davenport University. To help you with your school search, we have compiled a list that includes all you need to know about the application process, tuition rates, and admission requirements.
What Is an Online Information Assurance Bachelor’s Degree?
An online information assurance bachelor’s degree provides a core foundation of knowledge and applied expertise in information security controls, information risk management, and incident response. Many online programs offer flexible and fixed schedules.
An online Bachelor’s Degree in Information Assurance covers various areas of computer science, Internet protocols, data management, and cyber security. Many students have landed exciting and high-paying tech careers through this bachelor’s degree level program.
Online vs In-Person Information Assurance Degrees
Prospective students can earn their information assurance bachelor’s degrees online or in person. Both learning formats can get you an accredited bachelor’s degree. Whether online or in-person, the best programs are updated with the current cyber security issues and methodologies and offer skillsets that meet the technological demand.
Online enrollment is increasing each year, especially since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there are critical differences between online and on-campus education.
Top 5 Benefits of an Online Bachelor’s Degree in Information Assurance
- Immersion. The cyber security program takes place almost exclusively in an online, networked environment. Immersion courses help students to solve real-world issues in online labs.
- Flexibility. Prospective students with full-time jobs and family responsibilities benefit from the flexibility provided by online education. They can customize their learning experience and tailor it around their schedule and availability.
- Accessibility. Ecampuses and online schooling foster easy access to education, whether live or in forums.
- Affordability. Online education costs less than in-person schooling.
- Environmental impact. Online learning is more environmentally efficient. It reduces carbon emissions due to less travel and less paper usage since all coursework is submitted online.
Top 5 Benefits of an In-Person Bachelor’s Degree in Information Assurance
- On-campus amenities. Campuses offer state-of-the-art laboratories that online students cannot access from their home computers or laptops. The lab can be helpful in research projects and valuable hands-on simulation training with equipment available only to cyber security professionals.
- Social interactions. Students meet their teachers and peers face-to-face and can establish relationships with others. In-person learning is more interactive and group-oriented.
- Access to faculty. Students can drop by the faculty room to see their instructors if they have any questions. They can get real-time answers to their queries instead of waiting online.
- Learning structure. Consistency is more established in in-person learning.
- Learning environment. A prosperous education requires concentration and attention. Classrooms, laboratories, and lecture halls provide tightly focused, distraction-free learning environments with all the tools needed for students to dedicate themselves to lessons.
What Types of Online Bachelor’s Degrees Can You Get in Information Assurance?
There are two types of online Bachelor’s Degrees in Information Assurance. You can get a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT) or a Bachelor of Arts in Business (BAB). Both degrees have an information assurance concentration option.
The critical difference between the two degrees is the primary subject concentration. The BSIT is focused more on the technological aspect of information assurance. The BAB concentrates on the practical application of information assurance in a business setting.
Is It Better to Get an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree in Information Assurance?
It is better to get a Bachelor’s Degree in Information Assurance than an associate degree. A two-year associate can help jumpstart your career path. However, a bachelor’s degree provides a greater depth of knowledge in a field and provides students with marketable skills for the job market. It also gives a job applicant a competitive edge, and bachelor’s degree graduates can command a higher median salary.
How Much Does an Information Assurance Bachelor’s Degree Cost?
The online Bachelor’s Degree in Information Assurance costs an average of $16,647 per year in tuition fees across all institutions. Private institutions are more expensive, and you could end up paying about $32,769 per year, while the average amount for public institutions is about $9,349 per annum.
How Long Does It Take to Get an Information Assurance Bachelor’s Degree Online?
It takes three to four years to get a Bachelor’s Degree in Information Assurance online. There are a few options open to you if you want to complete your degree earlier. Some schools allow students to undertake more credits than the maximum allowed. Others provide an accelerated learning format to help students graduate early. Check with the admissions office to find out which options are available to you should you want to graduate early.
Are Online Information Assurance Degrees Respected?
Yes, online information assurance degrees are respected. Online degrees undergo the same stringent accreditation and review that in-person classes experience. These online programs are measured based on industry standards.
Is Information Assurance Hard to Learn Online?
No, information assurance is not hard to learn online. It can be challenging due to the significant organizational skills required for risk management. It is best to learn information assurance and cyber security in an online, networked environment.
Most information assurance skills are easy to acquire for those who are tech-savvy. The abundance of online learning resources, including beginner to expert tutorials, makes the online learning of information assurance easier and more accessible.
Why You Should Get an Information Assurance Bachelor’s Degree Online
You should get a Bachelor’s Degree in Information Assurance online if the field of cyber security fascinates you. You can use your passion for computers while studying to get different types of cyber security jobs. An online degree is also cost-effective and provides industry immersion within the comfort of your own home and at your own pace.
Schools offering the best online information assurance bachelor’s degrees provide online support and resources to their students, including career services. They also have their own learning platforms that are accessible anywhere and anytime. Doctoral-level and award-winning faculties facilitate these degree programs.
What Courses Do You Take in an Online Bachelor’s Degree Program in Information Assurance?
Bachelor’s Degree in Information Assurance online courses include network security, cyber security, digital forensics, and software development. The required courses vary depending on the school’s curriculum. However, some subjects are standard across several schools’ curricula. Below is the list of major courses in most information assurance bachelor’s degree programs.
Network Security
Network security is one of the fundamental subjects that cyber security students need to understand. It’s about network access control, application security, network analytics, security software, firewalls, and VPN encryption.
The subject discusses computer network protection methodologies and the various cyber security threats and exploitation. It trains students in monitoring computer systems and designing secure networks to reduce data theft and mitigate threats.
Cyber Security and Digital Forensics
Another foundation course in an information assurance bachelor’s degree is cyber security and digital forensics. This course teaches students how to use technology methodologies to investigate, prevent, and manage security breaches.
Topics covered include encryption algorithms, public-key cryptography, network security, endpoint security, and digital forensics. Practical project themes include security and vulnerability analysis, mobile app security, and cyber intelligence analysis.
Software Development and Software Engineering
This subject discusses the foundation of protected software and network systems. It trains students in bug testing, debugging, restructuring, and changing the software application functionality to develop a secured software design.
Students learn software system development, design, and analysis, uncovering flaws and vulnerabilities to establish and strengthen existing security policies to safeguard computer networks, software systems, and databases.
Risk Management
The risk management course introduces students to different cyber threats and attacks, risk identification and assessment, and the process of minimizing threats. The course familiarizes students with finance issues, cyber attacks, legal issues, natural disasters, competitors, and human resource problems. Students will learn to assess and determine the best defense for each threat through a careful and well-developed risk management process.
Cryptography
Cryptography is the key to secure communication, and it is another required course in information assurance. It discusses the methodologies of securing all transmitted information, developing authentication processes, and receiving, accessing, and processing the information. This subject is needed to diminish data loss, theft, and exploitation.
Continuing Education Paths for Online Information Assurance Bachelor’s Degree Graduates
The best path to take after an online information assurance bachelor’s degree is an advanced degree such as a Master of Science or a PhD. You can also enroll in various certificate courses to develop skills and gain more valuable knowledge to succeed in your chosen career paths.
It would also be best to get at least one information security certification, like Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), CompTIA Security+, Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), and Certified Information Security Auditor (CISA).
Related Online Information Assurance Degrees
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What to Look For in the Best Information Assurance Bachelor’s Degree Programs
Things to look for in the best information assurance bachelor’s degree programs are accreditation, accelerated degree options, dual degree options, cost, and employment outcomes. These are a few factors you need to consider when choosing an online information assurance bachelor’s degree. Read below to learn how these factors can impact your education decision.
Accreditation
The higher education institution you plan on attending should meet the acceptable levels of educational quality. An accredited program guarantees that the curriculum equips students with skills and knowledge applicable in a work setting.
Accelerated Degree Options
An accelerated degree option allows students to undertake additional credits per term to expedite their studies. Students graduate earlier with this option and can land higher-paying jobs earlier than others.
Dual Degree Options
Some schools offer dual degree options. By adding another year of study to your four-year bachelor’s program, you’ll be eligible for a master’s degree. You’re getting an advanced degree in this option, significantly increasing your career opportunities.
Cost
Cost is one of the important factors when pursuing education. Knowing the total cost will help you organize your finances and apply early for financial aid like student loans, income share agreements, or scholarships to help you with your finances.
Employment Outcomes
You must ensure that your chosen school can deliver positive employment outcomes for its students. Getting a well-paying job is one of the main reasons people study. A bachelor’s degree provides a competitive edge when you’re job hunting.
What Is the Most Affordable Online Information Assurance Bachelor’s Degree?
The most affordable online information assurance bachelor’s degree is the Bachelor of Science in Online Cybersecurity and Information Assurance offered by Western Governors University. It would cost about $7,900 per year to approximately $31,600 for four years. WGU charges a fixed $3,950 per six-month term and allows students up to 28 credit units per term.
Can I Get an Information Assurance Bachelor’s Degree Online for Free?
No, you can’t get an information assurance bachelor’s degree online for free. There are financing options available if the tuition costs hinder you from acquiring a Bachelor’s Degree in Information Assurance. Besides FAFSA, schools offer scholarships, payment plans, and discounts.
Salary and Job Outlook for Online Information Assurance Bachelor’s Degree Graduates
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics expects a 13 percent growth from 2020 to 2030 in employment opportunities in the computer and information technology field. It projects 667,600 new jobs to open up within the decade. The demand will continue to increase for tech professionals such as information assurance analysts.
How Hard Is It to Get a Job With an Information Assurance Bachelor’s Degree?
It is not hard to get a job with an information assurance bachelor’s degree. Information assurance is one of the rising in-demand computer specialties with many job opportunities. Big global companies prefer to hire degree-holders in information assurance positions.
What’s the Average Online Information Assurance Bachelor’s Degree Salary?
The average online information assurance bachelor’s degree salary is $78,000 per year, according to PayScale. The pay range rises exponentially with the specialization you have taken. The more in-demand the profession is, the higher the annual salaries offered. The location also plays a vital role in how much you earn. New Jersey and California have the highest compensation for computer and information technology jobs.
What Jobs Can You Get With an Online Information Assurance Bachelor’s Degree?
Jobs you can get with an online Bachelor’s Degree in Information Assurance are computer network architects, information security analysts, computer systems analysts, and network administrators.
A bachelor’s degree opens a variety of career options in the information and cyber security fields and can help you achieve any career goal you may have. You can land higher-paying specialized positions like security managers and business intelligence.
Information Assurance Degree Jobs
- Computer Network Architects
- Information Security Analysts
- Computer Systems Analysts
- Database Administrators
- Network Administrators
Potential Careers With an Online Information Assurance Degree
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How Much Money Can You Make With an Online Information Assurance Bachelor’s Degree?
You can earn between $49,560-$168,890 per year with an online Bachelor’s Degree in Information Assurance. An online information assurance bachelor’s degree combined with highly in-demand specialized technical knowledge can help you land your dream high-paying tech job. The following section details the best online information assurance bachelor’s degree jobs and salaries.
Highest-Paying Online Information Assurance Bachelor’s Degree Jobs and Salaries: Overview
| Information Assurance Bachelor’s Degree Jobs | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Computer Network Architect | $120,520 |
| Information Security Analyst | $102,600 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $99,270 |
| Database Administrator | $98,860 |
| Network Administrator | $80,600 |
Best Jobs for Online Information Assurance Bachelor’s Degree Grads
The best jobs for online Bachelor’s Degree in Information Assurance grads are computer network architect, information security analyst, computer systems analyst, database administrator, and network administrator. An online Bachelor’s Degree in Information Assurance provides you with the technical skills and edge to work in various information technology jobs. Read below to learn more about the available careers with an online information assurance bachelor’s degree.
Best Jobs According to Your Major
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Is an Online Information Assurance Bachelor’s Degree Worth It?
Yes, an online Bachelor’s Degree in Information Assurance is worth it. Cyber crime and cyber warfare continue to grow every day, increasing the demand for cyber security and information assurance professionals. Cyber security and information security jobs tend to be more stable than others, with significantly higher pay.
Job projections for graduates of this program are optimistic. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts careers in this field will grow up to more than 30 percent by 2028. This forecast makes cyber security one of the top ten fastest-growing jobs globally.
Additional Reading About Information Assurance
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Online Information Assurance Bachelor’s Degree FAQ
Yes, coding and knowledge of programming languages are required in information assurance. Some required typical courses, such as software development and network security, use coding to develop and test security protocols, secure software, and network design.
No, information assurance and cyber security are slightly different. Cyber security protects against cyber attacks and unauthorized use of computer systems, networks, programs, and data. Information assurance gives you the practical experience to protect digital and non-digital information assets, including physical servers, databases, and storage devices.
High school subjects you should take to qualify for an information assurance program include algebra, calculus, computer technology, and statistics. Advanced placement courses and high SAT or ACT scores will also help you earn a computer security degree concentrating on information assurance.
The top programming languages used in information assurance and cyber security are Java, JavaScript, Python, SQL, PHP, PowerShell, and C.
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