Cybersecurity professionals often pursue a master’s degree to prepare them for higher-paying jobs, leadership roles, or a job in an adjacent field. Learning about some of the best Cyber Security schools will help you to choose which one is the best fit for you.
When choosing a master’s degree program, it is important to compare schools and programs to find the one that best aligns with your situation and aspirations. To help you in your search for the best program for you, we’ve listed 18 of the best cyber security master’s degree programs below.
For each program, we will break down the following to help inform your decision:
- Tuition
- Graduation Rate
- Job Placement
- Minimum Entrance GPA
- Average Graduate GPA
- Length of Program
- Return on Investment
- Accreditation
- Admissions Rate
18 Best Cyber Security Schools to Earn Your Master’s Degree
The best cyber security schools are:
- University of Arizona
- George Mason University
- Iowa State University
- University of Maryland
- Georgia Institute of Technology
- Webster University
- Robert Morris University
- Embry-Riddle
- Syracuse University
- Champlain College
- Drexel University
- New York University
- University of Delaware
- Lewis University
- University of California Berkeley
- University of San Diego
- University of Dallas
- John Hopkins University
University of Arizona
| Location | Online |
| Tuition | $3,996 per three-credit course |
| Graduation Rate | 64% |
| Minimum Entrance GPA | 3.0 |
| Admissions Requirements | At least one of the following: – Three years of technical experience (excluding internship) – Relevant industry certificate – Or graduated within one year of application with a related degree |
| Length of program | 33 credits |
| Accredited | Yes, by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) |
This fully online program allows its master’s in cyber security students to also earn the Department of MIS’s Enterprise Security Certificate.
This masters program combines the three strongest departments of the university:
- Systems and Industrial Engineering
- Management Information Systems
- Electrical and Computer Engineering.
There are two concentration options: Information Systems Track and Physical Systems Track. Each track will have its own core courses of focus.
George Mason University
| Location | Online or Fairfax, VA |
| Tuition | $797 per credit hour for VA residents, $1,575 for nonresidents |
| Length of Program | 30-36 credits, 16 months |
| Award | “#23 top online program” from US News & World Report |
| Accredited | Yes, by NSA, CAE |
This cyber security master’s degree program offers students valuable education and boasts that it is the highest-ranked online program at George Mason. Its graduates have gone on to jobs like cyber security manager, business systems analyst, and senior IT consultant.
Students specialize in either system or network security. Taking part in a week-long global residency is required. Students must also write a thesis or scholarly paper.
Iowa State University
| Location | Online |
| Tuition | $253 to $590 per credit hour |
| Admissions Requirement | 3 letters of recommendation |
| Job placement | 74.5% |
| Length of Program | 30 credits |
Iowa State University is the largest higher education institution in Iowa. A thesis will be required to graduate from its cyber security program. Classes are streamed virtually for maximum flexibility for students. Students may be able to transfer up to six credits.
Some of the courses in Iowa State’s cyber security program include:
- Information Warfare
- Advanced Computer Networking
- Cryptography
- Wireless Security
- A Capstone Project
University of Maryland
| Location | Adelphi, MD (Online or on-campus) |
| Tuition | $694 per credit |
| Graduation Rate | 15% |
| Length of Program | 36 credits, 2 years |
The University of Maryland and Global Campus is the largest public, online university in the US. Its cyber security management and policy program is specifically designed for students who are already working. The goal of the master’s program is to create cyber security professionals, so there is no IT experience or background required.
Georgia Institute of Technology
| Location | Online or on campus |
| Tuition | $1,100 per credit hour |
| Graduation Rate | 86.6% |
| Job Placement | 81.6% |
| Minimum Entrance GPA | 3.0 |
| Average Graduate GPA | 3.7 |
| Length of Program | 2 – 3 years |
| Awards | Top-10 ranked public university |
Georgia Tech’s master’s degree program in cyber security lets students choose a specific track: Energy systems, policy, or information security. This will you sharpen your knowledge base for your target job position. Its online classes also allow your education to be flexible. Georgia Tech’s cyber security master’s degree teaches students about privacy, security risks, and public policy laws.
Webster University
| Location | Online and several campus locations |
| Tuition | $780 per credit hour |
| Graduation Rate | 59% |
| Minimum Entrance GPA | 2.5 |
| Length of Program | 36 credit hours |
| Awards | Top-10 return on investment school in Missouri |
Webster University was originally a women’s college, but is now open to all. Its Master’s Degree in Cyber Security program teaches students techniques to be a successful cyber security professional. This includes seven cyber security courses that focus on cyber intrusions, information assurance, and cybersecurity. The program also offers electives like cloud computing and social engineering.
There is also an option to get a dual degree. This would award you with a Master of Art in National Security Studies and a Master of Science in Cybersecurity. The program can be completed in just 54 credit hours.
Robert Morris University
| Location | Online |
| Tuition | $960 per credit hour |
| Graduation Rate | 64% |
| Minimum Entrance GPA | 3.0 |
| Length of Program | 30 credit curriculum |
| Admissions Requirements | Two letters of recommendation and a passed computer language course. |
Robert Morris University was originally known as a Pennsylvania accounting school. Now students can choose from 27 online degrees the college offers, including a Master’s Degree in Information Assurance and Cybersecurity. Students have the option to add a concentration in Enterprise Systems to their degree plan. Applicants must have received at least a C in a computer language, such as C++ or Java.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
| Location | Daytona Beach, Florida |
| Tuition | $714 per credit hour |
| Graduation Rate | 19% |
| Minimum Entrance GPA | 3.0 |
| Length of Program | 30 credit hours |
| Awards | 16th in the country for ROI by the Wall Street Journal |
Embry-Riddle offers a Master of Science in Cyberecurity Engineering. Students in the program take 18 credits of core classes. They then have the choice to take either 12 elective hours and a capstone project, or nine elective hours and a six-credit thesis.
Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in a closely related field such as engineering or computer science. They will also have to submit GRE scores.
Syracuse University
| Location | Online |
| Tuition | $10,098 for 6 credit hours that are 12 weeks long |
| Graduation Rate | 83% |
| Minimum Entrance GPA | 3.0 |
| Length of Program | 15 months |
| Awards | 19th best online graduate information technology program |
A unique perk of becoming a student at Syracuse University is that it provides a LinkedIn Premium Career account. This aids in networking and the job application process.
Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, computer science, or a related field. Syracuse University waives the GRE score for qualified applicants. Students must know about discrete mathematics, data structures, and programming languages.
Champlain College
| Location | Online |
| Tuition | $795 |
| Graduation Rate | 64% |
| Minimum Entrance GPA | 2.5 |
| Length of Program | 30 credit hours |
| Awards | Best private online college by intelligent.com |
| Accredited | New England Commission of Higher Education |
The Champlain College program offers cybersecurity students an education that will effectively prepare them for the workforce. The program is fully online and is designed for working professionals. Elective courses include encryption, malware analysis, digital forensics, digital forensic science, and more.
Graduates of this program have gone on to work for companies such as PWC, Chevron, GE, and Verizon. They have filled positions such as criminal investigators, digital forensics specialists, and senior security engineers.
Drexel University
| Location | Online or Philadelphia, PA |
| Tuition | $1,265 per credit hour |
| Graduatoin Rate | 74% |
| Admissions Requirements | official transcripts, two letters of recommendation, resume, and a personal essay |
| Length of Program | 45 credit hours |
| Award | Center of Academic Excellence by the National Security Agency |
This program features flexible course options. For example, you can choose courses that align with your specific career goals and online classes that fit into your schedule. Drexel University is unique in that it allows its master’s students to choose a minor.
GRE scores totaling 300 are preferred but not required for admission.
New York University
| Location | Online |
| Tuition | $1,720 per credit hour |
| Graduation Rate | 85% |
| Minimum Entrance GPA | 3.0 |
| Length of Program | 30 credit hours |
New York University’s Master’s Degree in Cybersecurity program offers nine credits of elective courses to complement nine computer science core courses and 12 security core courses.
Admission requires one year of university-level science, a programming language, and an understanding of calculus. Applicants should keep in mind that a B grade is the minimum for transferring courses to NYU.
University of Delaware
| Location | Online |
| Tuition | $1,237 per credit hour |
| Graduation Rate | 81% |
| Minimum Entrance GPA | 3.0 |
| Length of Program | 30 credit hours, 2 years |
The University of Delaware’s Master’s Degree in Cybersecurity equips students with the skills and experience they need to compete for positions such as chief information officer, data center manager, or IT director. Each course at the University of Delaware lasts seven weeks.
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Prospective students should have a minimum 3.0 GPA and submit three letters of recommendation. Your GRE score should be a minimum of 150 for the verbal section with an overall score of 300.
Lewis University
| Location | Online |
| Tuition | $33,430 |
| Graduation Rate | 64% |
| Minimum Entrance GPA | 3.0 |
| Length of Program | 33 – 51 credit hours |
Lewis University is a Catholic college. The college features small class sizes that allow students to get an individualized education. The Master of Science in Computer Science is 33 to 51 credits, and its concentration in cyber security includes research projects and a thesis.
Its nine elective credits can be used to focus on your professional area of interest, such as reverse engineering, penetration testing, or network forensics.
The minimum GPA for prospective students is 3.0. If a student did not get a bachelor’s degree in either computer science or a related field, they can take an extra six courses.
University of California Berkeley
| Location | Online |
| Tuition | $2,712 per unit enrolled in |
| Graduation Rate | 91% |
| Length of Program | 9 courses in 20 months |
The University of California Berkeley’s Master’s Degree in Information and Cybersecurity is an online program that provides students with a holistic approach to education. The courses available include privacy engineering, cryptography for cyber and network security, and operating system security.
This program consists of nine courses that can be completed within 20 months. While the program is online, there will be one in-person immersion cyber security event on campus. Students interested in applying will have to submit two letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and transcripts.
University of San Diego
| Location | Online |
| Tuition | $925 |
| Graduation Rate | 91% |
| Minimum Entrance GPA | 2.75 |
| Length of Program | 31 credits, 20 months |
The University of San Diego is a private Catholic college and boasts a ranking as one of the best schools in the nation. Its Master of Science in Cybersecurity Operations and Leadership program is completely online and can be finished within 20 months.
Courses include applied cryptography, cyber security management, cyber incident response, and computer network forensics, as well as a capstone requirement.
The program seeks to equip students with lifelong learning skills, provide them with the ability to lead organizations in contested cyber environments, and foster collaboration with cyber security stakeholders. Graduates will know the ins and outs of creating and maintaining secure systems.
University of Dallas
| Location | Online or Dallas, Texas |
| Tuition | $1,250 |
| Graduation Rate | 66% |
| Minimum Entrance GPA | 2.0 |
| Length of Program | 30 credit hours, 1 to 2 years |
| Awards | Top 25 online masters in information systems security programs in 2018 |
Graduates of this program pursue jobs in digital forensics, penetration testing, network security, and cyber defense. The program prepares students for their CISSP exam.
Students can also earn their MiniMasters along with their degree. The MiniMasters badge is a great addition to your resume and can be added as a digital badge to your LinkedIn page.
John Hopkins University
| Location | Online |
| Tuition | $4,595 per course |
| Graduation Rate | 93% |
| Length of Program | 10 years |
There are three tracks within this master’s degree program so students can focus on courses relevant to their career aspirations. One of the following three tracks must be chosen by prospective students: Analysis, Networks, and Systems.
They also offer a post-master’s certificate that has five courses. No track is required for this program. This certificate is a fantastic addition to a resume, as it proves an individual’s expertise and drive.
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