- 1.Information Security Analysts earn a median salary of $120,360 with 32% projected job growth through 2032 (BLS OES 2024)
- 2.Top-ranked Cybersecurity programs include Carnegie Mellon University, University of Southern California, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus based on graduation rates, program strength, and career outcomes
- 3.Best value: Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus offers cybersecurity education at $10,258/year with 76% graduation rate
- 4.50 accredited Cybersecurity programs analyzed using IPEDS 2023 completion data
Best Cybersecurity Programs - Top 10 Master's
Carnegie Mellon University
CMU's Plaid Parliament of Pwning hacking team has won a record nine DEF CON Capture-the-Flag championships in 13 years, while CyLab operates as the largest university-based security and privacy institute with triple NSA Center of Academic Excellence designations.
Program Overview
Carnegie Mellon University operates one of the nation's most comprehensive cybersecurity ecosystems through its Information Networking Institute and the renowned CyLab Security and Privacy Institute. The flagship Master of Science in Information Security (MSIS) is a two-year technical program that combines rigorous coursework in security principles with hands-on research opportunities. Students can choose from specialized tracks including Cyber Forensics and Incident Response (CyFir) and Cyber Operations certificates, with part-time options available for working professionals.
What sets CMU apart is its integration across multiple colleges - students can pursue cybersecurity through the College of Engineering, Heinz College's policy-focused MSISPM program, or newer offerings like the AI Engineering - Information Security degree. The university's CyLab comprises 40 core faculty and over 120 affiliated researchers, making it one of the largest university-based security research centers globally. Pittsburgh's emerging tech scene, with major expansions by Google, Uber, Disney, and Facebook, provides students with unprecedented access to both traditional defense contractors and cutting-edge tech companies.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
University-wide security and privacy institute coordinating research across all departments
Privacy policies and human factors in security
Facial recognition and biometric security systems
Industry Partners
Admissions
University of Southern California
USC's cybersecurity program is one of only six featured in Fortune magazine for career advancement potential and offers both traditional on-campus and fully equivalent online delivery through DEN@Viterbi, making it accessible to working professionals worldwide while maintaining the same rigorous USC engineering standards.
Program Overview
USC's Master of Science in Cyber Security Engineering is a 28-unit professional program housed within the prestigious Viterbi School of Engineering, focusing on the fundamentals of developing, engineering, and operating secure information systems. The program uniquely emphasizes how security policy drives technology decisions, training students in secure operating systems, applications, networking, cryptography, and key management. Available both on-campus and through DEN@Viterbi's fully equivalent online platform, this program serves graduate students seeking careers in computer network operations or those advancing toward doctoral studies with an information security focus.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Systems security and cybersecurity research
Security systems and privacy research
Network security and traffic analysis
Industry Partners
Admissions
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Georgia Tech offers the only interdisciplinary cybersecurity master's degree from a Top 10 public university that can be completed entirely online for under $12,000 total tuition, while delivering the same curriculum across information security, cyber-physical systems, and policy tracks.
Program Overview
Georgia Tech's Cybersecurity program stands as one of the most comprehensive and affordable elite cybersecurity education offerings in the nation, spanning both on-campus and online formats through three distinct specialization tracks. The School of Cybersecurity and Privacy (SCP) partners with the College of Computing, College of Engineering, and Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts to deliver an interdisciplinary Master of Science in Cybersecurity that addresses information security, cyber-physical systems, and policy dimensions. What sets this program apart is its remarkable accessibility - the Online Master of Science in Cybersecurity delivers the same world-class instruction for under $12,000 total tuition, making it the only interdisciplinary cybersecurity degree from a U.S. News Top 10-ranked public university available entirely online.
The program structure reflects Georgia Tech's understanding that modern cybersecurity challenges require expertise spanning technical, physical, and policy domains. Students can specialize in Information Security (focusing on software and network vulnerabilities), Cyber-Physical Systems (emphasizing power grids and infrastructure protection), or Policy (examining government and corporate strategies against cybercrime). The 32-credit curriculum includes a unique practicum project that provides hands-on experience with real-world security challenges, positioning graduates to tackle everything from protecting critical energy infrastructure to developing strategies against nation-state attacks.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Hosts the degree program and coordinates multidisciplinary cybersecurity research across campus
Admissions
Georgetown University
Georgetown's program uniquely focuses on cybersecurity risk management as an interdisciplinary field rather than a purely technical discipline, preparing strategic thinkers who can bridge the critical gap between security policies, information technology, and human behavior across organizations.
New York University
NYU Tandon is one of only select institutions recognized by the NSA as a Center of Academic Excellence in both Cyber Operations and Cyber Defense Research, with students conducting research in the NSF-funded OSIRIS Laboratory alongside internationally renowned cybersecurity experts.
University of Maryland Global Campus
UMGC has achieved dual prestigious designations as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) by the NSA and as a Center of Digital Forensics Academic Excellence (CDFAE) by DC3, while pioneering the use of AI-driven virtual learning through their MARS platform for hands-on cybersecurity training.
Syracuse University
Syracuse University's cybersecurity program is ranked #1 for military and veteran students by Military Times, and faculty have received NSA funding to develop innovative open-source, hands-on cybersecurity curriculum that bridges theory with real-world application.
University of San Diego
57 cybersecurity graduates annually
Northeastern University
77 cybersecurity graduates annually
Johns Hopkins University
89 cybersecurity graduates annually
Best Cybersecurity Programs - Compare Top 5 Master's
| School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Carnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh, PA | Private | $62,260 | 98% | 90.1/100 |
| #2 University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA | Private | $66,640 | 92% | 74.1/100 |
| #3 Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus | Atlanta, GA | Public | $10,258 | 76% | 73.5/100 |
| #4 Georgetown University | Washington, DC | Private | $64,896 | 1% | 72.4/100 |
| #5 New York University | New York, NY | Private | $60,438 | N/A | 72.3/100 |
Top 50 Cybersecurity Master's Programs 2026
| Rank | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh, PA | Private | $62,260 | 98% | — | 90.1 |
| 2 | University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA | Private | $66,640 | 92% | — | 74.1 |
| 3 | Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus | Atlanta, GA | Public | $10,258 | 76% | — | 73.5 |
| 4 | Georgetown University | Washington, DC | Private | $64,896 | 100% | — | 72.4 |
| 5 | New York University | New York, NY | Private | $60,438 | — | — | 72.3 |
| 6 | University of Maryland Global Campus | Adelphi, MD | Public | $7,632 | 74% | — | 71.1 |
| 7 | Syracuse University | Syracuse, NY | Private | $61,310 | 99% | — | 70 |
| 8 | University of San Diego | San Diego, CA | Private | $55,690 | 97% | — | 65.8 |
| 9 | Northeastern University | Boston, MA | Private | $62,000 | — | — | 65.4 |
| 10 | Johns Hopkins University | Baltimore, MD | Private | $62,840 | — | — | 65.3 |
| 11 | Rochester Institute of Technology | Rochester, NY | Private | $55,784 | 90% | — | 64.2 |
| 12 | Brown University | Providence, RI | Private | $65,656 | 96% | — | 64.2 |
| 13 | Washington University in St Louis | Saint Louis, MO | Private | $61,750 | 97% | — | 63.6 |
| 14 | University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | Public | $4,478 | 93% | — | 63.6 |
| 15 | University at Albany | Albany, NY | Public | $7,070 | 99% | — | 63.3 |
| 16 | University of the Cumberlands | Williamsburg, KY | Private | $9,875 | 75% | — | 62.9 |
| 17 | Western Governors University | Salt Lake City, UT | Private | $7,710 | — | — | 62.8 |
| 18 | The University of Texas at Austin | Austin, TX | Public | $11,678 | 89% | — | 62.7 |
| 19 | Tufts University | Medford, MA | Private | $66,358 | 81% | — | 62 |
| 20 | Brandeis University | Waltham, MA | Private | $64,348 | 99% | — | 61.9 |
| 21 | Fordham University | Bronx, NY | Private | $60,335 | 94% | — | 61.3 |
| 22 | Wilmington University | New Castle, DE | Private | $12,270 | — | — | 60.8 |
| 23 | Marymount University | Arlington, VA | Private | $37,400 | 99% | — | 60.3 |
| 24 | George Washington University | Washington, DC | Private | $64,508 | — | — | 59.9 |
| 25 | University of Houston | Houston, TX | Public | $8,685 | 91% | — | 59.8 |
Showing 1–25 of 50
Cybersecurity Master's Programs Overview: What You'll Learn
Cybersecurity master's programs prepare graduates for advanced roles in information security, cyber defense, and digital forensics. These intensive 18-24 month programs combine technical skills in network security, ethical hacking, incident response, and risk management with leadership training for management positions.
The best programs hold NSA Center of Academic Excellence designation, ensuring curriculum meets federal cybersecurity workforce standards. Graduates typically pursue cybersecurity analyst positions with median salaries of $103,590 (BLS OEWS May 2024) or advance to security management roles earning $165,000+.
Top-tier programs like Carnegie Mellon's MISM-BIDA and Georgia Tech's OMS-Cybersecurity offer specialized tracks in cyber operations, digital forensics, and security architecture. Many programs require security certifications like Security+ or CISSP as graduation requirements.
Career Paths
Information Security Manager
SOC 11-3021Lead cybersecurity teams and develop organizational security strategies
Cybersecurity Architect
SOC 15-1299Design security systems and infrastructure for large organizations
Digital Forensics Investigator
SOC 33-3021Analyze digital evidence for legal proceedings and incident response
Penetration Tester
SOC 15-1212Conduct authorized security assessments to identify vulnerabilities
Security Consultant
SOC 15-1299Provide cybersecurity expertise to multiple clients and organizations
Incident Response Manager
SOC 15-1212Lead response efforts during cybersecurity incidents and breaches
Security Research Scientist
SOC 15-1221Conduct research on emerging threats and security technologies
Chief Information Security Officer
SOC 11-3021Executive-level position overseeing enterprise cybersecurity programs
Top States for Cybersecurity Master's Programs
California
Texas
New York
Virginia
Florida
Pennsylvania
Illinois
Georgia
North Carolina
Funding Your Cybersecurity Master's Degree
Cybersecurity master's students have access to numerous funding opportunities including federal financial aid, employer tuition assistance, and specialized cybersecurity scholarships. The National Science Foundation's CyberCorps Scholarship for Service program provides full funding in exchange for government service commitments.
Many employers offer tuition reimbursement for cybersecurity education, recognizing the direct benefit to organizational security. Graduate assistantships are available at many universities, particularly for students interested in cybersecurity research.
- CyberCorps Scholarship for Service - Full funding plus stipend for NSF-designated programs
- Department of Defense Cyber Scholarship Program - Full tuition for military service commitment
- SANS Institute scholarships for working professionals and underrepresented groups
- State-specific cybersecurity workforce development grants and scholarships
- Industry scholarships from companies like IBM, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman
Choose the Right Program Type
- You want the highest starting salaries and prestige
- Research opportunities and PhD preparation are important
- You can afford $60,000+ annual tuition
- You're targeting top technology companies or research positions
- Small class sizes and intensive faculty mentorship appeal to you
- You want excellent education at affordable in-state tuition rates
- NSA designation and government connections are priorities
- You prefer larger programs with diverse specialization options
- Research opportunities at lower cost appeal to you
- You're targeting government, defense, or public sector careers
- You need to work full-time while earning your degree
- Flexibility and asynchronous learning fit your schedule
- You want to minimize total program costs
- You're already established in your career and location
- You're comfortable with virtual labs and remote collaboration
- Your employer offers tuition reimbursement for local programs
- You want to maintain current job while upgrading skills
- Evening or weekend class schedules work better
- You prefer staying in your current geographic area
- Lower-cost options with reasonable career outcomes are priority
Frequently Asked Questions About Cybersecurity Master's Programs
Based on 387 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Degree completions (sqrt normalized, capped at 500)
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023
State-specific salary data from BLS OES 2024
Admission rate (lower = more selective)
Institution type (R1/R2 research bonus)
CAE-CD designation, curator bonuses
Data completeness proxy
Reporting completeness
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.