What EC-Council University does

EC-Council University (ECCU) is a fully online, U.S.-based private institution specializing in cybersecurity education, founded as the academic extension of EC-Council Group — a globally recognized cybersecurity training organization known for the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) credential. The university offers an integrated portfolio of degree and certificate programs delivered through the Canvas Learning Management System with embedded virtual labs. Core products include a Bachelor of Science in Cyber Security ($27,900 total tuition), a Master of Science in Cyber Security with five specializations ($19,440), a Master of Science in Computer Science, an MBA with two cybersecurity-focused concentrations, six graduate certificate programs ($4,860–$8,100), and twelve non-degree certification courses ($1,395 each). Degree programs are designed around a course-to-certification mapping that embeds EC-Council credentials such as CEH, CPENT, CHFI, and CND, allowing graduates to earn both academic credit and industry-recognized certifications.

The institution is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC, recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and CHEA), holds membership in the American Council on Education, and participates in NC-SARA for multi-state authorization. ECCU is VA-approved and accepts Post-9/11 GI Bill, Fry Scholarship, Yellow Ribbon, and Dependents Educational Assistance benefits. It operates an inside sales go-to-market supported by content marketing, webinars, email campaigns, and a Community College Connect Initiative, alongside a growing channel of academic institutional partnerships — most notably a February 2025 MoU with KL Deemed to be University in India for international curriculum integration.

The business model is primarily recurring tuition revenue from individual students enrolling in self-paced, asynchronous online programs, supplemented by certification exam fees (paid to EC-Council) and one-time non-degree course purchases. Target customer segments include working IT and cybersecurity professionals seeking career advancement, U.S. military members and veterans using federal education benefits, community college transfer students, and career switchers pursuing cybersecurity credentials. The institution is led by President Lata Bavisi, is headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and employs 101–250 people; it reports no external institutional investment or public ownership.

Name

EC-Council University

Legal name

EC-Council University

Website

https://eccu.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

EC-Council University is a fully online, U.S.-accredited institution offering cybersecurity degree and certificate programs that integrate EC-Council certifications (CEH, CPENT, CHFI, CND), serving working professionals, military/veterans, community college transfers, and career switchers globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education - Cybersecurity Degrees and Certifications

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Computer Training (61142)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Information Technology (IT) & Cybersecurity Certifications (EDAAANAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Information Technology & Cybersecurity Certification Prep (CompTIA, Cisco, Microsoft, AWS, ISC2/ISACA) (EDANAIAF), Online/Distance Education Quality & Accreditation Bodies (EDADACAK)

Keywords

• Online cybersecurity degrees
• Graduate certificate programs
• Cybersecurity certification training
• Information assurance programs
• Higher education online

Headquarters

HQ city

Albuquerque

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Tuition - Bachelor's Degree: Online Bachelor of Science in Cyber Security priced at $27,900 total tuition ($465 per credit hour). Application fee of $35, technology fee of $50 per term, graduation fee of $200. Textbooks provided at no extra cost; additional textbook purchases may cost $250-$900 if desired.
2. Tuition - Master's Degrees: Online Master's degree programs priced at $19,440 total tuition ($540 per credit hour). Specialization fees apply for Security Analyst ($1,200) and Executive Leadership ($999 exam fee). Application fee of $65.
3. Graduate Certificate Programs: Graduate Certificate Programs priced between $4,860 and $8,100 depending on specialization. Information Security Professional at $4,860; Security Analyst and Incident Management at $6,480; Enterprise Security Architect, Digital Forensics, and Executive Leadership at $8,100.
4. Non-Degree Status Courses: Individual certification courses priced at $1,395 per course. These are focused, career-driven learning pathways designed to quickly build job-ready cybersecurity skills with industry-recognized EC-Council certifications.
5. EC-Council Certifications: Revenue generated from certification exam fees. While passing ECCU courses waives educational requirements for certifications, students still cover the cost of certification exams. Certifications include CEH, CPENT, CHFI, CND, and others.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

EC-Council University is a 100% online institution delivering cybersecurity-focused higher education. It offers bachelor's, master's, and MBA degree programs plus graduate certificate and non-degree certificate courses, with curricula that embed globally recognized EC-Council certifications (CEH, CPENT, CHFI, CND). Delivery is asynchronous through the Canvas LMS with virtual labs for hands-on practice.

Product overview

EC-Council University (ECCU) is a fully online institution specializing in cybersecurity education, offering a comprehensive portfolio of degree programs and professional certificates. The core offerings include Master of Science in Cyber Security (with 5 specializations), Master of Science in Computer Science, Master of Business Administration (with 2 specializations), Bachelor of Science in Cyber Security, Graduate Certificate Programs (with 6 specializations), and Non-Degree Certificate Courses (12 courses). All programs integrate EC-Council certifications (CEH, CPENT, CHFI, CND) and provide virtual labs for hands-on learning. ECCU operates as a 100% online, asynchronous learning institution with embedded certifications and credit transfer options.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Master of Science in Cyber Security A 36-credit online master's degree program for working professionals, offering five specializations (Security Analyst, Cloud Security Architect, Digital Forensics, Incident Management and Cyber Operations, and Executive Leadership in Information Assurance) that integrate EC-Council certifications such as CEH, CPENT, CHFI, and CND. Total tuition $19,440 ($540 per credit hour) with a 2-year duration.
• Master of Science in Computer Science An online master's degree program that bridges technical expertise and executive strategy, covering cutting-edge cybersecurity technology, AI, blockchain, and robotics for working professionals and technology leaders.
• Master of Business Administration Online MBA program merging cybersecurity with business administration, governance, and leadership practice, with two specializations: Cybersecurity, and Cybersecurity Executive Leadership and Governance.
• Bachelor of Science in Cyber Security A 60-credit online bachelor's degree that integrates technical proficiency with strategic cybersecurity methodologies, equipping students to defend critical infrastructures and mitigate cyber risks. Total tuition $27,900 ($465 per credit hour) with a 2-year maximum duration; up to 90 credits transferable.
• Graduate Certificate Programs Online graduate certificate programs offered in six specializations (Information Security Professional, Security Analyst, Enterprise Security Architect, Digital Forensics, Incident Management and Business Continuity, and Executive Leadership in Information Assurance), designed to build competencies for advancement into managerial, directorial, and CIO roles. Pricing ranges from $4,860 to $8,100 with a 9-month duration.
• Non-Degree Certificate Courses A catalog of 12 individual cybersecurity courses priced at $1,395 each covering Managing Secure Network Systems, Ethical Hacking and Countermeasures, Investigating Network Intrusions and Computer Forensics, Security Analysis and Vulnerability Assessment, Conducting Penetration and Security Tests, Secure Programming, Disaster Recovery, Incident Handling and Response, Designing and Implementing Cloud Security, Managing Risk in Information Systems, Auditing IT Infrastructures for Compliance, and Offensive AI Security. Course credits can transfer into degree programs.
• Certificate in Identity and Access Management A professional education certificate offered through ECCU's Center of Professional Education, focused on identity and access management concepts and practices for working professionals.
• Certificate in Linux Administration A professional education certificate offered through ECCU's Center of Professional Education, covering Linux administration fundamentals for IT and cybersecurity professionals.

Quantifiable outcome

• 50% of graduates secured $100K+ salaries
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• KL Deemed to be University (KLH Hyderabad)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 February 2025KLH Bachupally signed an MoU with EC-Council University to integrate globally benchmarked cybersecurity curricula and certification pathways into their academic model. This partnership enables KLH students to access EC-Council certifications as part of their degree programs, creating pathways for international recognition of cybersecurity competencies.
• CareerTiQminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 27 February 2025KLH Aziznagar partnered with CareerTiQ and Fortinet alongside the EC-Council partnership to integrate globally benchmarked cybersecurity curricula and certification pathways into academic delivery.
• EC-Council GroupcoreOthersEC-Council University is an academic extension of EC-Council Group, leveraging the organization's 20+ years of leadership in cybersecurity education and its portfolio of globally recognized certifications including CEH, CPENT, CHFI, CND, and others. This parent organization provides curriculum, certifications, and industry credibility.
• U.S. Department of Veterans AffairscoreOthersEC-Council University is a VA-approved institution accepting GI Bill education benefits including Post-9/11 GI Bill, Fry Scholarship, Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA/Chapter 35), and Yellow Ribbon Program. The VA School Certifying Official submits enrollment information to process benefits.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• (ISC)²: Global cybersecurity certification body (CISSP, CCSP). Not a degree provider, but a key credentialing peer; ECCU competes with (ISC)²'s certification-only pathway as an alternative route to cybersecurity careers.
• EC-Council Group: Parent organization and creator of CEH, CPENT, CHFI, CND certifications. Not a competitor but the structural counterpart to ECCU — provides the certification engine, content library, and brand equity that ECCU's degrees are built around.

Direct peers

• Purdue University Global: Online-focused university offering cybersecurity and IT degrees with multiple specializations, including stackable credentials. Comparable on online delivery, adult learner focus, and tiered program structure.
• Southern New Hampshire University: Large private nonprofit university with extensive online cybersecurity and IT degree offerings at price points competitive with ECCU. Comparable on online delivery, working-adult target market, and broad program portfolio.
• Western Governors University: Large, fully online nonprofit university with IT and cybersecurity degrees, including stackable certifications. Operates a similar competency-based, self-paced model serving working adults at scale — the most direct competitive comparable to ECCU.
• SANS Technology Institute: Cybersecurity-focused graduate school offering MS degrees and industry-recognized GIAC certifications. Closest pure-play comparable on integrating hands-on cybersecurity credentials (GIAC) with academic degrees for working professionals.
• Colorado Technical University: For-profit university offering online cybersecurity and IT degrees with concentration options. Comparable on online-only delivery, career-focused curriculum, and tuition/financing models for working adults.
• University of Maryland Global Campus: Major online university with strong cybersecurity degree portfolio and deep military/veteran and government-affiliated enrollment. Directly comparable to ECCU on online-only delivery, cybersecurity focus, and reliance on adult/affiliated learners.
• Champlain College: Private college known for online cybersecurity bachelor's and master's programs serving working professionals. Directly comparable on online cybersecurity degree focus and applied/practical curriculum emphasis.

Broad incumbents

• Northeastern University (Khoury College of Computer Sciences): Major R1 university with well-regarded cybersecurity and computer science programs including online master's options. A broader incumbent offering overlapping cybersecurity degrees, competing for similar graduate student segments.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/EC_Council_Univ
• Facebookfacebook.com/ECCouncilUniversity
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/ec-council-university

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about EC-Council University