A cybersecurity masters degree can help you land leadership positions (like an Information Security Manager) that often require a MS to even apply.

If you do decide to pursue a master’s in cybersecurity, there are 277 programs in the US alone. So you’ll have plenty of options.

Notably, we’re seeing a growing number of schools incorporate AI-focused material into their course curriculum. Plus, quite a few online/hybrid options.

It’s important to note that a graduate degree in cybersecurity isn’t for everyone. That’s why we’ll walk you through course content, costs, and career outcomes for this degree.

The Latest Data On Cybersecurity Masters Degrees 

We recently analyzed 125 cybersecurity-focused master’s programs in the United States (you can find the raw dataset here). Here are some of our most interesting findings:

Cost

Using the University’s public 2025/2026 rates, we estimated total tuition for a Master’s in cybersecurity degree.

The average cost of a cybersecurity master’s degree in 2026 is $36,984.

In-state tuition averaged $32,995. While the mean out of state tuition was $40,974.

Credits

Across all 125 cybersecurity master’s programs, the required credits cluster tightly around a traditional 30–36 credit master’s structure. Specifically, we found that the average cybersecurity master’s program required 32 credits. The lowest credit requirement was 27. The highest credit requirement was 49.

CAE Designations

46.4% of programs in the dataset are associated with an institution holding at least one Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity designation (CAE).

We also looked into which CAE designations were most common. Please note that these figures are non-exclusive because one institution may hold multiple CAE designation types.

Cost Per Credit

Like with tuition in general, cost per credit varies quite a bit based on your residency. Here’s the full breakdown:

Scenario Mean Median Min Max
In-state per-credit estimate (all programs; single-rate treated as same) $1,033.83 $897.16 $247 $2,665
Out-of-state per-credit estimate (all programs; single-rate treated as same) $1,288.81 $1,146.00 $369 $2,827
Single-rate programs only $1,223.37 $1,112.00 $369 $2,665

Delivery Method

According to our dataset, 53.6% of cybersecurity master’s programs offer an online option (either fully online or hybrid).

GRE Requirement

Only 13.6% of the cybersecurity master’s degree programs we analyzed required a GRE.

79.2% stated that a GRE isn’t required. While around 7% said submitted GRE scores were optional.

Cybersecurity Master’s Degree: Courses and Timelines

You’ll typically need around 30 credits to complete your cybersecurity master’s degree.

These credits can be split up in all sorts of different ways. At NYU, there are only 4 core units, and you get to pick 6 electives. But at Florida Tech, you’ll only choose 2 electives.

You also have the choice of a thesis or non-thesis cybersecurity master’s degree. Completing a thesis is not the norm, but institutions such as UT San Antonio or Mississippi State give you the option to do so.

If you’re not completing a thesis, you’ll likely have a final capstone project. In a few cases (like Duke) your final assessment will come from an internship instead. 

The length of a cybersecurity master’s degree varies. The average time to completion is about 2 years, but there are shorter programs (e.g. as little as 12 months at Old Dominion) and part-time options (e.g. University of Washington). 

With all those caveats, here’s a somewhat typical cybersecurity master’s degree program timeline and course structure:

Year 1

Fall:

Spring:

Year 2

Fall:

Spring:

Should I Get A Cybersecurity Master’s Degree?

A cybersecurity master’s degree can be incredibly valuable. But it is not the correct route for everybody.

It is undoubtedly true that some senior job listings will list a master’s degree as a requirement or strong preference. Here’s a recent example:

However, it is also true that it’s possible to achieve most titles in cybersecurity with the right experience. Often, a master’s degree reduces the number of years’ experience an employer asks for, but does not function as a necessary condition.

For example, Director of Cybersecurity is among the most senior job titles in cybersecurity. Here’s a listing from Calamos Investments that does not explicitly require a master’s degree:

Even so, if you’re aiming for the very top jobs, a cybersecurity master’s degree is likely to be beneficial. It equips you with knowledge that is not only deep but also broad, which will position you to oversee numerous teams with different roles and responsibilities.

If you’re interested in a more specialized area of cybersecurity (like penetration testing) then you may be better off looking into certifications.

(But make sure to double-check your specific field. For instance, cryptography often requires a master’s degree.) 

And if you’re looking to advance through the ranks in a specific hands-on role, like a security engineer, then there’s a case to be made for prioritizing industry experience. But a master’s degree may still help differentiate you from other candidates, especially if you choose a program that comes with some hands-on practice. 

You should definitely get a cybersecurity master’s degree if:

You should probably get a cybersecurity master’s degree if:

A cybersecurity master’s degree is probably not the right choice if:

Methodology: Ranking Factors for Top Cybersecurity Master’s Degrees

There are over 250 cybersecurity master’s degree programs offered nationwide. So selecting the top 25 programs was a significant project.

To set about making a list, we employed a unique Programs.com methodology. We considered the key factors that matter to prospective students, awarding every program a score in each category:

Cost

Cost is a critical factor when choosing a cybersecurity master’s degree. Well-respected industry certifications cost less than a master’s, so you need to be getting genuine value to justify the degree route.

The cheapest programs (below $20,000) are given the highest scores in this category.

This means that more expensive programs have to be adding demonstrable value in other ways (e.g. the standout graduate outcomes at Carnegie Mellon) in order to make our top 25.

Curriculum relevance

Cybersecurity in 2026 does not look the same as it did a few years ago. AI in particular has completely transformed the sector, and the best master’s degree programs have adapted.

We rewarded programs that focus on techniques and threats relevant to today’s cybersecurity landscape.

For example, Johns Hopkins receives credit in our rankings for its courses on space systems cybersecurity, assured autonomy (securing driverless vehicles), and cyber AI.

Academic quality

Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) designations are designed to recognize universities with dedicated cybersecurity credentials. CAE-CD (cyber defense), CAE-R (research), and CAE-CO (cyber operations) status helps to mark out elite institutions, and they factor into our rankings.

For instance, Mississippi State is one of a small number of institutions to be triple-designated. It has consequently outperformed in our rankings in relation to its general reputation as a University compared to Ivy League and other elite institutions.

That said, outside of CAE designations, we’ve also acknowledged schools with outstanding overall reputations (e.g. Duke, Berkeley).

Hands-on practice

If your degree is not honing practical skills, there’s every chance you’d be better off gaining more real-world experience instead of earning a master’s.

With this in mind, we gave significant credit to programs that offer internship and placement opportunities. Our scoring specifically highlights institutions that have aligned their programs to practical certifications (e.g. CISSP, CEH).

Some programs even offer the chance to earn certifications along the way. SANS and Western Governors are best known for this; they narrowly missed out on the top 25, but they do feature on our list of the top online cybersecurity master’s programs. 

Admissions

This criterion awards marks for more flexible GPA requirements. It also credits programs that do not require Graduate Record Examinations (GRE). 

It is a secondary ranking factor, so as not to unduly penalize highly selective schools.

Accessibility

Although there are many benefits to studying on campus, it’s not always a practical option for every prospective student. Programs that are offered in hybrid or online formats therefore receive a small amount of additional credit (equal weighting to admissions).

Taken together, these factors helped us determine the best graduate cybersecurity programs in the country.

Top 25 Cybersecurity Master’s Degree Programs

1

Georgia Institute of Technology

Atlanta, GA

Overview

  • Cybersecurity (MS)
  • Format: Campus or online
  • Estimated total tuition: $11,936 Online | $19,424 Campus (in-state rate)
  • Best for: Affordability
  • Accreditation: SACSCOC

Program summary

Georgia Tech earns the #1 spot for its blend of elite affordability and genuinely strong academic credentials. For less than $12,000 for online learning and $19,424 for on-campus (in-state rate), you’ll get a master’s from a top-rated public university. Students can tailor the program by opting into one of three specializations: policy, information security, and cyber-physical systems. In 2026 these specialties are actually offered by three different schools (the schools of Public Policy, Cybersecurity and Privacy, and Electrical and Computer Engineering), so you’ll get teaching from the most relevant members of faculty. Georgia Tech also holds a CAE-R designation.

Program overview
2

Mississippi State University

Mississippi State, MS

Overview

  • Master of Science in Cyber Security and Operations
  • Format: Campus or online
  • Estimated total tuition: $18,678 (in-state or online), $49,502 (out-of-state)
  • Best for: Affordability and academic quality
  • Accreditation: SACSCOC

Program summary

Mississippi State might be the most eye-catching entry on our list. It’s punching well above its weight in terms of overall reputation, but it more than justifies its second-place ranking. First off, it’s one of fewer than 12 schools nationwide to hold all 3 of the CAE designations. This effectively guarantees you’ll be getting expert cybersecurity teaching. Not only that, but it offers concentrations that are directly aligned with its cyber defense (CD) and cyber operations (CO) designations. Crucially, this all comes at a highly affordable price, with the same “in-state” rate charged for both online and campus study. If you intend to study on campus as a non-resident, the price increases significantly, and you are likely to be better off with other options.

Program overview
3

University of Maryland Global Campus

Adelphi, MD

Overview

  • Online Master’s Degree in Cybersecurity Technology
  • Format: Online
  • Estimated total tuition: $20,820
  • Best for: Hands-on practice
  • Accreditation: MSCHE

Program summary

UMGC is a consistent leader in online study, and its cybersecurity master’s degree comes with a lot of positives. You’ll have access to the Multi-Dimensional Applied Relevant System (MARS), an AI-driven immersive environment for testing practical skills. There’s a very competitive flat-rate fee for all students. And you can also opt for a dual master’s, saving 9 credits on an MBA. The major drawback is that in-person study is not available. If you’re keen on a campus option, the Maryland Applied Graduate Engineering School does offer a very solid cybersecurity master’s at College Park, but it’s a separate program.

Program overview
4

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA

Overview

  • Master of Science in Information Security
  • Format: Campus
  • Estimated total tuition: $92,265
  • Best for: Academic quality and graduate outcomes
  • Accreditation: MSCHE

Program summary

Carnegie Mellon is one of a select few schools that has an elite overall reputation and a clear cybersecurity specialism. Triple CAE-designated, the median salary for 2024 graduates after 1 year is $147,000. This demonstrable ROI helps to offset the well-above-average program cost. Offered through the College of Engineering, this program is not to be confused with the online Information Security & Assurance program offered by Heinz College (also part of Carnegie Mellon). 

Program overview
5

Auburn University

Auburn, AL

Overview

  • Master of Science in Cybersecurity Engineering
  • Format: Campus, online, hybrid
  • Estimated total tuition: $21,219 (campus, in-state)  $31,317 (online), $65,175 (campus, out-of-state)
  • Best for: All-around
  • Accreditation: SACSCOC

Program summary

Auburn is another of the triple CAE-designated schools to fare well on this list. You’ll be getting certified cybersecurity expertise at a very reasonable price, especially if you’re an Alabama resident. It’s great for accessibility, with campus, online, and hybrid options. (Note: Auburn charges a flat fee for online study. So if you are a resident but choose to get your master’s online, you’ll be missing out on residents’ rates). Dedicated AI courses are not explicitly required, but you can opt to take up to two AI for Security courses as electives: one at foundational level, one focused on R&D. Campus-based students can also choose some cryptography classes, opening up an interesting and specialized area of study. There’s a mandatory capstone engineering project which provides some hands-on practice.

Program overview
6

University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley, CA

Overview

  • Master of Information and Cybersecurity
  • Format: Online
  • Estimated total tuition: $73,224
  • Best for: Academic quality
  • Accreditation: WSCUC

Program summary

It’s worth saying right from the start that the UC Berkeley cybersecurity master’s is not the correct fit for everyone. Far more academic than some other programs on this list, it boasts a “leadership-focused” curriculum that places cybersecurity within a wider societal context. You’ll be incredibly well set up for management positions, especially with such a strong institutional name on your resume. But if you’re solely hoping to develop your practical skills, there are more cost-effective options with more direct cybersecurity credentials. Having said that, the program is excellent for staying up to date, with a privacy engineering course that focuses specifically on advances in AI/ML threats. Berkeley is marked down slightly for only offering its program online.

Program overview
7

New York University

New York, NY

Overview

  • Cybersecurity, M.S.
  • Format: Campus, online, hybrid
  • Estimated total tuition: $75,750
  • Best for: Curriculum relevance and electives
  • Accreditation: MSCHE

Program summary

If you’re looking for a top school which you can attend on campus, online or in a blended format, New York University is a standout. Whereas Berkeley only has an online option and Carnegie Mellon’s MSIS can only be completed on campus, NYU boasts top-level accessibility. It also enjoys double CAE designation (CAE-CO and CAE-CD—NYU it lost its coveted triple status in 2021). The curriculum is both up-to-date and flexible: you have four core units, and get to pick six electives (3 breadth, 3 depth). You’ll be choosing from relevant courses such as AI governance, applied blockchain, and deep learning.

Program overview
8

Duke University

Durham, NC

Overview

  • Cybersecurity Master of Engineering
  • Format: Campus or online
  • Estimated total tuition: $107,040 (campus), $76,635 (online)
  • Best for: Hands-on experience
  • Accreditation: SACSCOC

Program summary

Duke stands out as one of the few cybersecurity master’s programs with an internship built in. This allows you to build more real-world experience at the same time as earning your degree. Employers seem to like it: nearly 90% of graduates are in work or further education within 6 months. Away from the internship, the program stands out for its highly relevant AI and Security track. It’s important to be aware that the Duke cybersecurity master’s program requires an in-person residency, even when taken online, so it is not the most accessible option on this list. It’s also extremely expensive, although you will be able to earn money during your internship.

Program overview
9

University of Washington

Bothell, WA

Overview

  • Master of Science in Cybersecurity Engineering
  • Format: Campus
  • Estimated total tuition: $47,952
  • Best for: Accessibility for working professionals
  • Accreditation: NWCCU

Program summary

At first glance, it may seem strange to see the University of Washington being credited for its accessibility, given that it’s only available on campus. But it makes excellent accommodations for working professionals, including evening classes and the option of part-time enrollment. The program requires 48 credits rather than the typical 30, which adds to the bottom-line tuition cost, but also allows for plenty of electives in interesting topics. There’s also a flexible “culminating experience”: you can choose a project, thesis, coursework, or internship, depending on which best aligns with your goals. If you’re looking to earn your cybersecurity master’s while working full-time, Washington is a standout pick.

Program overview
10

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD

Overview

  • Cybersecurity Master’s Program
  • Format: Online, hybrid
  • Estimated total tuition: $56,200
  • Best for: Curriculum relevance
  • Accreditation: MSCHE

Program summary

You’ll be getting a particularly specialized degree if you choose a cybersecurity master’s at Johns Hopkins. You’ll have to pick a “focus area” (basically a concentration), in which you must take at least 3 courses out of the 10 required to earn the degree. The options are eye-catching, and will place you on the cutting edge of cybersecurity developments. While not available fully on campus, there is the option of taking a small number of courses in-person. Cost is competitive for such a prestigious name, although Johns Hopkins is not currently CAE-designated.

Program overview
11

Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester, NY

Overview

  • Cybersecurity MS
  • Format: Campus
  • Estimated total tuition: $129,084
  • Best for: Academic quality
  • Accreditation: MSCHE

Program summary

While RIT loses marks for being a campus-only program, it’s certainly an impressive campus. You’ll get access to the ESL Global Cybersecurity Institute, a large purpose-built facility designed for advanced education and training. Rochester also boasts CAE-CD and CAE-R designations. Admittedly, the tuition fees match up with these excellent credentials: $129,084 is comfortably the highest headline tuition cost on our list. However, 100% of first-year graduate students receive financial aid. And employers tend to recognize RIT’s cybersecurity expertise, with a 94% positive outcomes rate within 6 months, and an average first-year graduate salary of $88,400.

Program overview
12

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA

Overview

  • Master of Science in Cyber Security Engineering
  • Format: Campus or online
  • Estimated total tuition: $76,776
  • Best for: Hands-on practice, graduate outcomes
  • Accreditation: WSCUC

Program summary

USC is excellent for making sure cybersecurity master’s students get hands-on practice. The courses could be a little more up to date in respect of AI developments, but most of them incorporate real-world scenarios and extensive labs. This prepares students for the workplace: albeit from a small sample size, 88% of the class of 2024 were employed within a year. The average reported salary was $112,200, and employers included Bloomberg, Boeing, and NASA.

Program overview
13

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Charlotte, NC

Overview

  • Master of Science in Cybersecurity
  • Format: Campus
  • Estimated total tuition: $16,038 (in-state), $42,348 (out-of-state)
  • Best for: All-around
  • Accreditation: SACSCOC

Program summary

If you’re a North Carolina resident, then UNC Charlotte should be shooting right toward the top of your list. In-state rates make this a hugely affordable option. Even if you’re out-of-state, it is worthy of consideration: it is double CAE-designated, with a selection of courses that give you an excellent cybersecurity grounding. An internship is available as one of two required security electives, or you can opt to do a thesis. It’s important to be aware that UNC Charlotte requires GRE/GMAT scores if you do not have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0.

Program overview
14

University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) 

San Antonio, TX

Overview

  • Master of Science in Cybersecurity Science
  • Format: Campus
  • Estimated total tuition: $39,624
  • Best for: Curriculum relevance
  • Accreditation: SACSCOC

Program summary

UT San Antonio offers its cybersecurity master’s degree through the College of AI, Cyber, and Computing. As the name suggests, it has kept up to date with developments in the field, and there are courses dedicated to AI, machine learning, and cryptocurrencies. There are thesis and non-thesis options, as well as an optional internship. All of this makes UTSA a well-rounded choice, with CAE-CD designation for good measure.

Program overview
15

Dakota State University

Madison, SD

Overview

  • Cyber Defense, MS
  • Format: Campus or online
  • Estimated total tuition: $11,811 (campus, South Dakota resident), $19,281 (campus, Minnesota resident), $20,943 (campus, non-resident), $14,871 (online, South Dakota resident) $18,402 (online, non-resident)
  • Best for: Affordability
  • Accreditation: HLC

Program summary

Dakota State could certainly make a case to be even higher up this list, but that just goes to show the strength of the top 25 schools. It offers an incredible value pitch: a triple CAE-designated institution where you can potentially acquire your master’s for as little as $11,800. Beyond cybersecurity, the school’s national status is not especially high, so you might have to work a bit harder to prove its value to certain employers outside of government/defense circles (where the CAE system is typically afforded the most weight). Having said that, the master’s program boasts a 100% placement rate, and an average graduate salary of $101,758. The coursework could benefit from a slight update for the era of AI cybersecurity, and a little more hands-on practice, but you’ll still get a strong education on a shoestring budget.

Program overview
16

University of Colorado

Colorado Springs, CO

Overview

  • Master of Engineering in Cybersecurity
  • Format: Campus
  • Estimated total tuition: $25,713 (in-state), $45,843 (out-of-state)
  • Best for: All-around
  • Accreditation: HLC

Program summary

University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (UCCS) provides a rigorous education in the key techniques and tools needed to actually work in cybersecurity. It has a distinct engineering focus, and the ability to build secure systems is one of the key program outcomes. With CAE-CD and CAE-R designation, you can be confident you’re getting solid teaching. When it comes to admissions, you may need a GRE score of 148 if your undergraduate GPA is below 3.0, although you can be admitted provisionally if your GPA averages at least 2.75 within the past five years.

Program overview
17

University of Delaware

Newark, DE

Overview

  • M.S. Cybersecurity 
  • Format: Campus or online
  • Estimated total tuition: $34,470
  • Best for: Hands-on practice
  • Accreditation: MSCHE

Program summary

The University of Delaware pitches its master’s degree at current cybersecurity professionals seeking advanced training. Courses are all laser-focused on practical industry skills: core courses include system hardening, digital forensics, secure software design, penetration testing, and applied cryptography. You’ll also pick from a range of hands-on concentrations for your electives, including secure systems, secure software, and security AI. With a fully online option, you can complete the program on your own time alongside existing employment.

Program overview
18

George Washington University

Washington, DC

Overview

  • Master of Engineering in Cybersecurity
  • Format: Online
  • Estimated total tuition: $37,500
  • Best for: Management concentration
  • Accreditation: MSCHE

Program summary

George Washington offers its Master of Engineering degree in either cybersecurity analytics or cybersecurity policy and compliance. The latter route contains courses like risk management and privacy, alongside more standard core cybersecurity courses. This strikes a nice balance for anyone intending to pursue a career in management. Be mindful of the fact that George Washington offers numerous other cybersecurity master’s programs, both online and in person. All of them have their merits, but the Master of Professional Studies (MPS) is almost entirely non-technical, and would not be a sensible option for anyone seeking an orthodox cybersecurity program.

Program overview
19

University of Michigan Dearborn

Dearborn, MI

Overview

  • Cybersecurity and Information Assurance, MS
  • Format: Campus, online, hybrid
  • Estimated total tuition: $34,800 (in-state), $43,500 (out-of-state, online), $58,200 (out-of-state, campus/hybrid)
  • Best for: Electives and program personalization
  • Accreditation: HLC

Program summary

If you already have very specific ideas about what you want to study and research, Michigan Dearborn could be a great option for you. Just 9 out of 30 credits come from core courses. Another 12 will come from within your chosen concentration: you can pick data and application security, network and system security, or software security. Each of these concentrations contains 9 or 10 different courses from which to select. For your final 9 credits, you have a further 3 options. You can either take 3 free electives (from a vast list of up-to-date options), 2 electives and a supervised project, or 1 elective and a thesis. This vast potential for personalization, along with campus/online/hybrid options, makes Michigan Dearborn an interesting and unique candidate to consider.

Program overview
20

Florida Institute of Technology

Melbourne, FL

Overview

  • Cybersecurity, M.S.
  • Format: Campus
  • Estimated total tuition: $40,500
  • Best for: Hands-on practice
  • Accreditation: SACSCOC

Program summary

The Florida Institute of Technology program is designed around “workforce-centric competencies in cyber defense”. In order to guarantee a practical, applicable program, it offers just 2 electives. The 8 core courses will give you a thorough grounding in genuine cybersecurity skills. Interestingly, 2 of those courses are dedicated to programming, which doesn’t always get such prominence in cybersecurity programs. As a CAE-R designated school, you can also be confident that Florida Tech is staying up to date with industry developments.

Program overview
21

DePaul University

Chicago, IL

Overview

  • MS in Cybersecurity
  • Format: Campus or online
  • Estimated total tuition: $48,144
  • Best for: Curriculum relevance and admissions
  • Accreditation: HLC

Program summary

DePaul offers one of the few cybersecurity master’s degrees where you can specifically opt for an artificial intelligence engineering concentration. Within this and other concentrations, you’ll get a good blend of theory and practical skills, made possible by the expanded 48-credit model. This does also inflate the cost, but a reasonable per-credit rate means DePaul is still within a normal range of affordability. Campus students get access to the CDM Security Lab, and everyone has to complete a practical capstone project designed to prove immediate readiness for the workplace. With a 2.5 GPA requirement, DePaul also has one of the most generous admissions policies out there.

Program overview
22

George Mason University

Fairfax, VA

Overview

  • Cyber Security Engineering, MS
  • Format: Campus
  • Estimated total tuition: $21,900 (in-state), $47,130 (out-of-state)
  • Best for: Curriculum relevance
  • Accreditation: SACSCOC

Program summary

George Mason is a particularly viable option if you’re targeting work in a specific industry after graduation. You can select a concentration in secure advanced manufacturing and supply chains, the cybersecurity of autonomous vehicles, or secure AI systems. Any of these would also stand you in good stead for government roles, as would the school’s double CAE designation (CAE-CD and CAE-R) and its physical proximity to a host of agencies and contractors in Virginia.

Program overview
23

Old Dominion University

Norfolk, VA

Overview

  • Cybersecurity (M.S.)
  • Format: Campus or online
  • Estimated total tuition: $15,300 (in-state), $19,860 (online), $40,830 (out-of-state)
  • Best for: Accessibility and affordability
  • Accreditation: SACSCOC

Program summary

If your number one goal is to add a master’s degree to your resume in the most efficient way possible, Old Dominion deserves your consideration. You can complete it in as little as a year, either in person or online, and you’ll pay under $20,000 unless you’re coming from out of state to study on campus. And don’t assume it’s just a box-ticking exercise: Old Dominion is triple CAE-designated, so you’ll be getting a high-quality education. Like George Mason, it’s well-placed within Virginia to feed into government agency roles. Having said that, national prestige is limited, especially outside of cybersecurity circles.

Program overview
24

Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw, GA

Overview

  • Master of Science in Cybersecurity
  • Format: Campus or online
  • Estimated total tuition: $9,180 (in-state, campus), $15,876 (online), $35,250 (out-of-state, campus)
  • Best for: Admissions and affordability
  • Accreditation: SACSCOC

Program summary

You have to be from Georgia, but Kennesaw State is just about the only place that anyone can get a cybersecurity master’s degree for under $10,000 in total tuition fees. And the online format is only marginally more expensive, regardless of your residency. As well as being budget-friendly, Kennesaw does not impose especially exacting entry requirements. The master’s is pitched at people with or without an existing Bachelor’s in cybersecurity, and you’ll be admitted with a GPA of 2.75. Candidates with a lower GPA are also considered on a case-by-case basis. The program itself gives a good grounding in cybersecurity fundamentals, with CAE-CD designated teaching.

Program overview
25

New Jersey Institute of Technology

Newark, NJ

Overview

  • M.S. in Cyber Security and Privacy
  • Format: Campus or online
  • Estimated total tuition: $34,290 (online), $34,500-$46,000 (campus, in-state), $45,000-$63,000 (campus, out-of-state)
  • Best for: All-around
  • Accreditation: MSCHE

Program summary

NJIT is a really strong all-around choice to close out our list. You’ll cover security, privacy, and cryptography, and you can opt for an additional management and communication track. You’ll be studying at a CAE-CD designated institution. And you’ll also benefit from excellent industry links as a result of the proximity to New York. Tuition depends on a number of factors including residency, choice of campus (Jersey City is cheaper than Newark), and course load per semester. But the online rate is fixed, and comes in slightly below average.

Program overview

Choosing the Right Cybersecurity Master’s Program

You’ll need to consider several factors when choosing a cybersecurity master’s degree program. You can refer back to our methodology section for a detailed breakdown of the factors we consider most important for 2027.

But as a reminder, these are some key things to look for:

We used these factors to create our rankings precisely because they align with what you need to be looking for as a prospective student. A program that does well in all six criteria is likely to be a good choice for anybody.

Having said that, the one thing our rankings cannot take into account is your personal preferences and circumstances. You might consider one factor (e.g. cost) to be particularly important, and you might have additional requirements (e.g. location).

That’s why we recommend supplementing our list with your own research. When you do this, refer back to the criteria we’ve laid out here to help focus your search for the right cybersecurity master’s degree. 

Cybersecurity Master’s Degree Admission Requirements

GPA

A typical cybersecurity master’s degree program requires a 3.0 GPA from your Bachelor’s degree.

But some schools will accept a less impressive academic background. For example, DePaul only asks for a GPA of 2.5.

And a specific GPA isn’t always a non-negotiable requirement. UCCS drops its 3.0 requirement for candidates who have also completed the GRE test and scored 148 or higher, while Kennesaw considers applicants with a GPA below 2.75 on a case-by-case basis. Most schools will be prepared to discuss any exceptional personal circumstances. 

GRE/GMAT

GRE/GMAT is increasingly unusual as a requirement for cybersecurity master’s degrees, but it is always worth checking if you’ll need to take the test. For instance, the New York Institute of Technology requires it if your Bachelor’s is from a foreign university, or if your GPA is lower than 2.85. 

Background

A cybersecurity or computer science background is typically expected from cybersecurity master’s degree applicants. But some institutions, e.g. Dakota State, accept students with unrelated backgrounds as long as they are prepared to take some extra foundational courses.

Career Options with a Master’s in Cybersecurity

A master’s in cybersecurity opens up an array of career options. It’s only a prerequisite for a handful of careers, but will make you a more desirable candidate in almost any area of cybersecurity.

Cybersecurity careers that require or significantly prefer a master’s degree:

Cybersecurity careers where a master’s degree could help land senior roles and/or roles at top companies: