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Northeastern University
Doctorate in CybersecurityOn-campus
Boston, MAPrivate nonprofit
$129,180 median salary · 91% graduation rate
Program Strengths
- 91% graduation rate
- $129,180 median salary
- $64,990 in-state tuition
- 2 graduates annually
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Key Takeaways
- 1.cybersecurity PhD graduates in industry research earn $3,3 median salary (BLS, 2024), while tenure-track faculty earn $130,000,3-$3,3.
- 2.Our top-ranked doctoral programs are Marymount University, Capitol Technology University, Capella University, selected for research output, funding, and graduate placement.
- 3.Most PhD programs are fully funded: tuition waiver + $25,000-40,000/year stipend. You shouldn't pay for a PhD.
- 4.Average time to degree is 5-6 years, though it varies by research area and advisor.
- 5.60% of cybersecurity PhD graduates enter industry research (Google, Meta, Microsoft Research). 40% pursue academic careers.
Quick Answer: Is a Cybersecurity PhD Worth It?
Answer
Yes for research careers - fully funded with $3,3+ outcomes
Source: A cybersecurity PhD is worth it if you want to conduct original research, whether in academia or industry research labs. Unlike master's programs, PhDs are typically fully funded (tuition + ~$35K/year stipend). Industry research scientists at Google, Meta, and OpenAI earn $200K-400K+. Academic faculty earn less but enjoy research freedom and job security.
Why Pursue a Cybersecurity PhD?
A PhD is the terminal research degree in cybersecurity, required for tenure-track faculty positions and highly valued for industry research scientist roles. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Information Security Analysts with advanced degrees can earn $186,420 or more, especially in research-focused positions.
Who Should Consider a PhD?
- Aspiring academics: Tenure-track faculty positions require a PhD
- Research scientists: Industry labs (Google Research, Microsoft Research, Meta AI) recruit PhDs for advanced research
- Deep specialists: Those who want to push the boundaries of cybersecurity
- Intellectually curious: People who find fulfillment in solving hard, unsolved problems
The PhD Value Proposition
- Fully funded: No tuition + $25K-45K/year stipend (you're paid to learn)
- Research freedom: Work on problems that interest you with expert guidance
- Career options: Both academic ($100K-200K faculty) and lucrative industry paths ($150K-400K+ research scientist)
- Expertise: Become a world expert in cybersecurity
Important: Don't pursue a PhD just for salary gains. If your goal is maximizing income quickly, a master's + industry experience often yields better short-term returns. A PhD is a 5-6 year commitment to research mastery.
Best Cybersecurity PhD Programs - Top 10
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Nova Southeastern University
Doctorate in CybersecurityOn-campus
Fort Lauderdale, FLPrivate nonprofit
$129,180 median salary · 63% graduation rate
Program Strengths
- 63% graduation rate
- $129,180 median salary
- $37,500 in-state tuition
- 3 graduates annually
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George Washington University
Doctorate in CybersecurityFully online
Washington, DCPrivate nonprofit
$129,180 median salary · 84% graduation rate
Program Strengths
- 84% graduation rate
- $129,180 median salary
- $67,420 in-state tuition
- 39 graduates annually
#4
Dakota State University
Doctorate in CybersecurityFully online
Madison, SDPublic
$129,180 median salary · 51% graduation rate
Program Strengths
- 51% graduation rate
- $129,180 median salary
- $7,616 in-state tuition
- 15 graduates annually
#5
Marymount University
Doctorate in CybersecurityFully online
Arlington, VAPrivate nonprofit
$129,180 median salary · 54% graduation rate
Program Strengths
- 54% graduation rate
- $129,180 median salary
- $39,270 in-state tuition
- 28 graduates annually
#6
Capitol Technology University
Doctorate in CybersecurityOn-campus
Laurel, MDPrivate nonprofit
$129,180 median salary · 43% graduation rate
Program Strengths
- 43% graduation rate
- $129,180 median salary
- $26,350 in-state tuition
- 25 graduates annually
#7
Capella University
Doctorate in CybersecurityFully online
Minneapolis, MNPrivate for-profit
$129,180 median salary · 20% graduation rate
Program Strengths
- 20% graduation rate
- $129,180 median salary
- $14,400 in-state tuition
- 23 graduates annually
#8
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Doctorate in CybersecurityOn-campus
Colorado Springs, COPublic
$129,180 median salary · 47% graduation rate
Program Strengths
- 47% graduation rate
- $129,180 median salary
- $9,022 in-state tuition
- 2 graduates annually
Best Cybersecurity PhD Programs - Top 10, Complete Program Data
#1. Northeastern University — Doctorate Cybersecurity
Hakia ranks Northeastern University's doctorate cybersecurity program #1. Degree: Doctorate (research). Delivery: on-campus. Location: Boston, MA | Type: Private nonprofit | Tuition: $64,990/year | Graduation Rate: 91% | Median Salary: $129,180 | Score: 92.2
#2. Nova Southeastern University — Doctorate Cybersecurity
Hakia ranks Nova Southeastern University's doctorate cybersecurity program #2. Degree: Doctorate (research). Delivery: on-campus. Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL | Type: Private nonprofit | Tuition: $37,500/year | Graduation Rate: 63% | Median Salary: $129,180 | Score: 82.4
#3. George Washington University — Doctorate Cybersecurity (Online)
Hakia ranks George Washington University's online doctorate cybersecurity program #3. Degree: Doctorate (professional). Delivery: fully online. Location: Washington, DC | Type: Private nonprofit | Tuition: $67,420/year | Graduation Rate: 84% | Median Salary: $129,180 | Score: 75.0
#4. Dakota State University — Doctorate Cybersecurity (Online)
Hakia ranks Dakota State University's online doctorate cybersecurity program #4. Degree: Doctorate (research). Delivery: fully online. Location: Madison, SD | Type: Public | Tuition: $7,616/year | Graduation Rate: 51% | Median Salary: $129,180 | Score: 74.9
#5. Marymount University — Doctorate Cybersecurity (Online)
Hakia ranks Marymount University's online doctorate cybersecurity program #5. Degree: Doctorate (research). Delivery: fully online. Location: Arlington, VA | Type: Private nonprofit | Tuition: $39,270/year | Graduation Rate: 54% | Median Salary: $129,180 | Score: 73.1
#6. Capitol Technology University — Doctorate Cybersecurity
Hakia ranks Capitol Technology University's doctorate cybersecurity program #6. Degree: Doctorate (research). Delivery: on-campus. Location: Laurel, MD | Type: Private nonprofit | Tuition: $26,350/year | Graduation Rate: 43% | Median Salary: $129,180 | Score: 69.2
#7. Capella University — Doctorate Cybersecurity (Online)
Hakia ranks Capella University's online doctorate cybersecurity program #7. Degree: Doctorate (research). Delivery: fully online. Location: Minneapolis, MN | Type: Private for-profit | Tuition: $14,400/year | Graduation Rate: 20% | Median Salary: $129,180 | Score: 67.9
#8. University of Colorado Colorado Springs — Doctorate Cybersecurity
Hakia ranks University of Colorado Colorado Springs's doctorate cybersecurity program #8. Degree: Doctorate (research). Delivery: on-campus. Location: Colorado Springs, CO | Type: Public | Tuition: $9,022/year | Graduation Rate: 47% | Median Salary: $129,180 | Score: 60.0
Full Cybersecurity Doctoral Rankings 2026
| Rank | Program & School | Delivery | Annual Tuition | Grad Rate | Median Salary | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Doctorate in Cybersecurity Northeastern UniversityBoston, MA · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $64,990 | 91% | $129,180 | 92.2 |
| #2 | Doctorate in Cybersecurity Nova Southeastern UniversityFort Lauderdale, FL · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $37,500 | 63% | $129,180 | 82.4 |
| #3 | Doctorate in Cybersecurity George Washington UniversityWashington, DC · Private nonprofit | Online | $67,420 | 84% | $129,180 | 75.0 |
| #4 | Doctorate in Cybersecurity Dakota State UniversityMadison, SD · Public | Online | $7,616 | 51% | $129,180 | 74.9 |
| #5 | Doctorate in Cybersecurity Marymount UniversityArlington, VA · Private nonprofit | Online | $39,270 | 54% | $129,180 | 73.1 |
| #6 | Doctorate in Cybersecurity Capitol Technology UniversityLaurel, MD · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $26,350 | 43% | $129,180 | 69.2 |
| #7 | Doctorate in Cybersecurity Capella UniversityMinneapolis, MN · Private for-profit | Online | $14,400 | 20% | $129,180 | 67.9 |
| #8 | Doctorate in Cybersecurity University of Colorado Colorado SpringsColorado Springs, CO · Public | On-campus | $9,022 | 47% | $129,180 | 60.0 |
Showing all 8 ranked programs.
Industry Research vs Academic Faculty Careers
| Factor | Industry Research | Academic Faculty |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Salary | $150,000-$200,000+ | $100,000-$140,000 |
| Salary Ceiling | $300,000-$500,000+ (with equity) | $150,000-$250,000 |
| Job Security | Project-dependent, at-will | Tenure after 6-7 years |
| Research Freedom | Aligned with company goals | High autonomy after tenure |
| Publication Pressure | Varies by company | Essential for tenure |
| Resources | Well-funded, large compute | Grant-dependent |
| Work-Life Balance | Better | Highly variable |
| Impact Timeline | Faster deployment | Long-term influence |
| Typical Employers | Google, Meta, Microsoft, OpenAI | Universities, research institutes |
Source: Salary data from [CRA Taulbee Survey](https://cra.org/resources/taulbee-survey/) and [Glassdoor](https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/)
Top States for Cybersecurity Doctoral Programs
Best Cybersecurity Doctoral Programs in California
- Total Programs
- 25
- Median Tuition
- $9,500
Best Cybersecurity Doctoral Programs in Texas
- Total Programs
- 20
- Median Tuition
- $8,500
Best Cybersecurity Doctoral Programs in New York
- Total Programs
- 18
- Median Tuition
- $12,000
Best Cybersecurity Doctoral Programs in Florida
- Total Programs
- 15
- Median Tuition
- $6,500
Best Cybersecurity Doctoral Programs in Virginia
- Total Programs
- 12
- Median Tuition
- $11,000
Best Cybersecurity Doctoral Programs in Pennsylvania
- Total Programs
- 14
- Median Tuition
- $14,000
Cybersecurity PhD Frequently Asked Questions
Should I pay for a PhD program?
No. Legitimate research-focused PhD programs are fully funded (tuition waiver + stipend). If a program asks you to pay, it's likely not worth your time. Self-funded PhD programs are often cash cows for universities with poor placement outcomes.
How long does a PhD take?
Median time-to-degree in cybersecurity is 5-6 years. Machine learning and applied areas tend to be faster (5 years). Theory and systems sometimes longer (6+ years). Very few finish in 4 years. Some take 7+.
Do I need a master's degree before a PhD?
No. Most U.S. PhD programs admit students directly from bachelor's. In fact, a separate master's can slow you down, many PhD programs don't transfer master's credits. Exception: career changers sometimes benefit from a master's to build prerequisites.
What GPA do I need for PhD admission?
Most top programs expect 3.5+ GPA, but research experience matters far more than GPA. A student with a 3.4 GPA and multiple research publications will beat a 4.0 student with no research experience.
Is the GRE required for PhD programs?
Increasingly optional. Many top programs (MIT, Stanford, Berkeley, CMU) made GRE optional post-2020. Where required, strong scores help but can't compensate for weak research experience.
How competitive is PhD admission?
Very competitive. Top-10 programs accept 5-15% of applicants. However, there are 50+ excellent PhD programs. Applying broadly across ranking tiers (8-12 schools) is essential.
Can I do a PhD part-time while working?
No. PhD programs expect full-time commitment. Some industry research positions (Google PhD Program) allow you to work while completing a PhD, but this is rare and highly competitive.
What's the ROI of a PhD vs master's?
Financially complex. PhDs take longer but are free (funded), while master's programs are often self-paid. Industry research salaries are very high ($200K-400K+), but you could have earned ~$600K-900K working those 5-6 years instead. The ROI is best for those pursuing research passions, not pure salary maximization.
How We Rank Cybersecurity Degree Programs
Based on 742 programs from IPEDS 2024
We scored 8 doctoral cybersecurity programs on the Hakia Score, a 0 to 100 composite drawn from federal IPEDS 2024 and BLS figures, and Northeastern University's Doctorate in Cybersecurity sits at the top. Graduates step into a field where the median wage runs about $129,180.
Ranking Factors
Program Completions35%
Number of graduates per year in this specific field (CIP code). Larger programs indicate established departments with more resources, course offerings, and career services. Measured from IPEDS Completions data.
Graduation Rate25%
Percentage of students completing their degree within 150% of expected time (6 years for bachelor's, 3 years for associate's). Higher rates indicate better student support and program quality. Source: IPEDS Graduation Rates survey.
Selectivity20%
Admission rate (lower = more selective). More selective institutions have stronger academic environments and more competitive graduates. For open-admission institutions, we use graduation rates as a proxy for quality.
Career Outcomes20%
National salary data for cybersecurity graduates, factored into institutional scores based on job market strength.
Ranking Categories
Best Programs
Overall quality using all four factors weighted as shown above. Ideal for students seeking the strongest academic experience.
Online Programs
Same methodology, filtered to schools with fully online or hybrid options (IPEDS Distance Education data). Some schools may have lower graduation rates due to different student demographics.
Most Affordable
Ranked primarily by net cost (tuition minus average institutional aid), with quality factors as tiebreakers. Best for cost-conscious students.
Data Sources
- IPEDS 2024 — Institutional characteristics, completions, graduation rates
- BLS OEWS 2024 — National and metro salary data by occupation
- CIP Code Mapping — Programs identified using Classification of Instructional Programs codes
Data Sources
Federal database of U.S. postsecondary institutions
Computer science research publication rankings by faculty
May 2024 salary data for research positions
Taylor Rupe
Co-founder & Editor (B.S. Computer Science, Oregon State • B.A. Psychology, University of Washington)
Taylor combines technical expertise in computer science with a deep understanding of human behavior and learning. His dual background drives Hakia's mission: leveraging technology to build authoritative educational resources that help people make better decisions about their academic and career paths.