Best Online Cybersecurity Degree Programs 2026

Best Cybersecurity Programs - Top 10 Online — Complete Program Data

1. #1. Carnegie Mellon University Cybersecurity Program

   Hakia ranks Carnegie Mellon University as the #1 in cybersecurity degree program. Location: Pittsburgh, PA | Type: Private | Tuition: $62,260/year | Graduation Rate: 98% | Score: 90.1

   What makes Carnegie Mellon University stand out: 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.

   Hakia Insight: Carnegie Mellon University leverages partnerships with Facebook/Meta and Netflix to offer students real-world project experience valued by employers.

   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: Master of Science in Information Security (MSIS) (2 years); Master of Science in Information Security Policy and Management (MSISPM) (16-21 months); Master of Science in Privacy Engineering (MS-PE) (12-16 months); Pittsburgh-Silicon Valley Bicoastal Programs (MSIT-IS, MSMITE) (varies)

   Research Labs: CyLab Security and Privacy Institute - University-wide security and privacy institute coordinating research across all departments; CyLab Usable Privacy and Security Lab - Privacy policies and human factors in security; CyLab Biometrics Center - Facial recognition and biometric security systems

   Industry Partners: Facebook/Meta, Netflix, Microsoft, NSA, Google, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

   Career Outcomes:

   Admissions:

   Accreditations: NSA Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense, NSA Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations, NSA Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Research

2. #2. Purdue University-Main Campus Cybersecurity Program

   Hakia ranks Purdue University-Main Campus as the #2 in cybersecurity degree program. Location: West Lafayette, IN | Type: Public | Tuition: $9,718/year | Graduation Rate: 83% | Score: 75.5

   What makes Purdue University-Main Campus stand out: Purdue holds dual NSA designations as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CD) across multiple programs and maintains ABET accreditation for its cybersecurity programs, while offering the unique flexibility of studying cybersecurity across three distinct educational pathways within the same university system.

   Hakia Insight: Purdue University-Main Campus's industry network — including Raytheon and Lockheed Martin — provides students with internship and hiring pathways.

   Program Overview: Purdue University's cybersecurity education spans multiple colleges and formats, creating one of the most comprehensive cybersecurity ecosystems in higher education. The flagship undergraduate Cybersecurity major through Purdue Polytechnic's School of Applied and Creative Computing offers hands-on experience in specialized labs like the Cybersecurity & Forensics Lab and Cyber Security and Networking Lab. Students master everything from cryptographic techniques and digital forensics to cyber criminology and incident response management. For graduate study, the Computer Science department offers a Professional Master's Degree in Information and Cybersecurity designed specifically for IT professionals seeking to advance into technical cybersecurity roles, while Purdue Global provides a fully online Master of Science in Cybersecurity Management for working professionals. The undergraduate program is available on both the West Lafayette campus with its traditional university environment and the Indianapolis campus, which leverages Indiana's capital city for expanded internship and industry connections with employers like West Monroe, Crowe LLP, and Deloitte.

   Degree Programs: Cybersecurity (Undergraduate Major) (4 years); MS in Cybersecurity and Trusted Systems (2 years); Professional Master's in Information and Cybersecurity (2 years); MS in Cybersecurity Management (2 years)

   Research Labs: Cybersecurity & Forensics Lab - Digital forensics and cybersecurity investigations; Cyber Security and Networking Lab - Network security and infrastructure protection

   Industry Partners: Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, IBM, Cisco, Department of Defense, National Security Agency (NSA)

   Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Deloitte, Elevance Health, Amazon, Citigroup, Humana, Northop Grumman, Capital One, Boeing, Randstad, PricewaterhouseCoopers

   Notable Faculty: Eugene Spafford (Computer security, malware analysis, and incident response); Saurabh Bagchi (Resilience and security of distributed systems); Mathias Payer (Software security and systems exploitation)

   Admissions:

   Accreditations: ABET accredited (Computer Science programs), NSA National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (CAE)

3. #3. University of Southern California Cybersecurity Program

   Hakia ranks University of Southern California as the #3 in cybersecurity degree program. Location: Los Angeles, CA | Type: Private | Tuition: $66,640/year | Graduation Rate: 92% | Score: 74.1

   What makes University of Southern California stand out: 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.

   Hakia Insight: University of Southern California graduates earn $112,200, driven by the program's industry connections and hands-on cybersecurity curriculum.

   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: MS in Cyber Security Engineering (1.5-2 years)

   Research Labs: Center for Computer Systems Security - Systems security and cybersecurity research; STEEL Security Research Lab - Security systems and privacy research; ANT (Analysis of Network Traffic Lab) - Network security and traffic analysis

   Industry Partners: Bloomberg, Boeing, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Northrop Grumman, PwC, Raytheon Technologies, DarkTrace, EY, John Deere

   Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Bloomberg, Boeing, NASA JPL, Northrop Grumman, PwC, Raytheon Technologies | Common Roles: Detection Engineering Intern, Product Security Engineer, Application Security Engineer, Network Engineer, Cyber Risk Associate, Computer Scientist, Security Engineer

   Notable Faculty: Professor Newman (cybersecurity)

   Admissions: GPA: Bachelor's degree required, preferably in engineering, computer science, economics, hard sciences, or mathematics

4. #4. Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus Cybersecurity Program

   Hakia ranks Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus as the #4 in cybersecurity degree program. Location: Atlanta, GA | Type: Public | Tuition: $10,258/year | Graduation Rate: 76% | Score: 73.5

   What makes Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus stand out: 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: MS in Cybersecurity - Information Security Track (2 years); MS in Cybersecurity - Cyber-Physical Systems Track (2 years); MS in Cybersecurity - Policy Track (2 years); Online MS in Cybersecurity (2-3 years)

   Research Labs: School of Cybersecurity and Privacy - Hosts the degree program and coordinates multidisciplinary cybersecurity research across campus

   Career Outcomes:

   Admissions: GPA: 3.0 minimum

5. #5. Georgetown University Cybersecurity Program

   Hakia ranks Georgetown University as the #5 in cybersecurity degree program. Location: Washington, DC | Type: Private | Tuition: $64,896/year | Graduation Rate: 100% | Score: 72.4

   What makes Georgetown University stand out: 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.

   Program Overview: Georgetown University's Master of Professional Studies in Cybersecurity Risk Management stands out as a uniquely interdisciplinary program that approaches cybersecurity through the lenses of ethics, communications, risk management, compliance law, security, computer science, and organizational change. The 33-credit program is specifically designed for working professionals who want to become strategic bridge-builders between security policies, information technologies, and human behaviors—recognizing that technology alone is no longer sufficient to protect organizations. Drawing from frameworks established by the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the program emphasizes governance frameworks and enterprise-wide risk management rather than purely technical skills. Students can complete the degree in 2-5 years through flexible full-time or part-time enrollment, with classes offered online, on-campus, or in a hybrid format across fall, spring, and summer semesters.

   Degree Programs: Master of Professional Studies in Cybersecurity Risk Management (2-5 years)

   Research Labs: Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET) - Data-driven analysis on security implications of emerging technologies, including cybersecurity policy research

   Industry Partners: Federal Government Agencies

   Career Outcomes:

   Admissions:

6. #6. New York University Cybersecurity Program

   Hakia ranks New York University as the #6 in cybersecurity degree program. Location: New York, NY | Type: Private | Tuition: $60,438/year | Score: 72.3

   What makes New York University stand out: 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.

   Hakia Insight: Through ties with Linux Foundation and AIG, New York University bridges the gap between academic training and industry practice.

   Program Overview: NYU Tandon School of Engineering's Master of Science in Cybersecurity stands as one of the nation's premier cybersecurity programs, recognized by the National Security Agency as a Center of Academic Excellence in both Cyber Operations and Cyber Defense Research. The 30-credit program offers remarkable flexibility with on-campus, fully online, and blended learning options, allowing students to customize their educational experience. Students work closely with internationally renowned faculty in the National Science Foundation-funded OSIRIS (Offensive Security, Incident Response, and Internet Security) Laboratory, gaining hands-on experience in cutting-edge cybersecurity research. The curriculum combines rigorous theoretical foundations with practical applications through 4 core courses, 3 breadth electives, and 3 depth electives, with specialized tracks in Cyber Defense and Cyber Operations that align with NSA designation requirements.

   Degree Programs: MS; MS in Cybersecurity Risk and Strategy (1 year); PhD in Computer Science; PhD in Electrical Engineering

   Research Labs: OSIRIS (Offensive Security, Incident Response, and Internet Security Lab) - student-run cybersecurity research; Secure Systems Laboratory - security systems; Laboratory for Agile and Resilient Complex Systems (LARX) - agile and resilient systems; Energy-Aware, Secure, and Reliable Computing Research Group (EnSuRe) - secure and reliable computing; mLab - general cybersecurity research

   Industry Partners: Linux Foundation, AIG

   Career Outcomes: | Common Roles: security product developer, security application programmer, security analyst, penetration tester, security researcher, vulnerability analyst, security architect

   Notable Faculty: Dr. Ramesh Karri (Center Co-Chair); Abhijit Chitnis (Program Director, Cyber Fellows)

   Admissions:

   Accreditations: NSA Center of Excellence in Information Assurance, Center of Excellence in Research, Center of Excellence in Cyber Operations, National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity

7. #7. University of Maryland Global Campus Cybersecurity Program

   Hakia ranks University of Maryland Global Campus as the #7 in cybersecurity degree program. Location: Adelphi, MD | Type: Public | Tuition: $7,632/year | Graduation Rate: 74% | Score: 72.2

   What makes University of Maryland Global Campus stand out: 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.

   Hakia Insight: University of Maryland Global Campus's direct partnerships with NSA and DC3 give students a competitive edge through industry-embedded projects and recruiting pipelines.

   Program Overview: The University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) Master of Science in Cybersecurity Technology is a 30-credit online program specifically designed for working professionals seeking to advance their cybersecurity careers. The program combines 15 credits of core courses covering threat analysis, attack prevention strategies, and exploitation methodologies with 12 elective credits that allow students to specialize in areas like cloud computing, digital forensics, or cyber operations. What sets UMGC's approach apart is their innovative use of the Multi-Dimensional Applied Relevant System (MARS), an AI-driven virtual learning platform that provides students with practical, immersive cybersecurity training environments. Students work with industry-standard tools including Microsoft Windows, Kali Linux, Red Hat Linux, and Cisco routers, while being taught by faculty who are active cybersecurity professionals. The program concludes with a 3-credit capstone project that synthesizes the technical and strategic knowledge gained throughout the curriculum.

   Degree Programs: MS in Cybersecurity Technology (Variable (self-paced))

   Research Labs: Center for Security Studies - Applied research, consulting services, and specialized cybersecurity education tools including virtual labs and simulations

   Industry Partners: NSA, DC3, EC-Council

   Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Booz Allen Hamilton, Leidos, General Dynamics, Northrop Grumman | Common Roles: Security Architect, Compliance Analyst, Incident Response Manager, DoD Systems Security Manager

   Admissions: GPA: 3.0 minimum GPA required

8. #8. Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus Cybersecurity Program

   Hakia ranks Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus as the #8 in cybersecurity degree program. Location: University Park, PA | Type: Public | Tuition: $19,672/year | Graduation Rate: 87% | Score: 71.8

   What makes Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus stand out: Penn State's cybersecurity program uniquely combines academic rigor with direct access to the Applied Research Laboratory, a DOD-designated University Affiliated Research Center conducting classified cybersecurity research for the U.S. Navy and other government agencies since 1945.

   Hakia Insight: Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus leverages partnerships with U.S. Navy and Department of Defense to offer students real-world project experience valued by employers.

   Program Overview: Penn State's cybersecurity program offers two distinct master's degree pathways through the College of Information Sciences and Technology. The Master of Professional Studies (M.P.S.) in Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations is available 100% online through Penn State World Campus, designed for working professionals with 33 credits spanning core security foundations, analytics, and project management. The Master of Science (M.S.) in Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations is offered on-campus at University Park as a research-focused program requiring 30 credits, with options for one-year intensive study or traditional two-year completion. Both programs blend technology education with incident response, strategic planning, and crisis management to prepare graduates for comprehensive cyber-defense strategies. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning through courses like Cybersecurity Analytics, Software Security Foundations, and Threat Hunting and Offensive Cybersecurity. Students can customize their education through specialized electives in enterprise architecture, visual analytics, and forensics. The program is led by Graduate Program Head Carleen Maitland and taught by experienced practitioners and researchers, with strong connections to Penn State's Applied Research Laboratory, a Department of Defense University Affiliated Research Center that conducts cybersecurity research for national security applications.

   Degree Programs: BS (4 years); BS (World Campus) (4 years); Integrated BS/MS

   Research Labs: Center for Cyber-Security, Information Privacy, and Trust (LIONS Center) - Interdisciplinary cybersecurity and privacy research, threat detection and mitigation; Cyber Security Laboratory - Attack-resilient control systems, IoT security, malware analysis, and proactive threat containment; AI for Cyber Security through Big Data - Leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning for cybersecurity applications using big data; Applied Research Laboratory - DOD University Affiliated Research Center conducting cybersecurity research for national security

   Industry Partners: U.S. Navy, Department of Defense, U.S. Armed Forces

   Career Outcomes: | Common Roles: cybersecurity analysts, cyber defense professionals, malware analysts, forensics specialists, information security managers

   Admissions: GPA: M.P.S.: 3.00 minimum; M.S.: 3.50 minimum

9. #9. University of South Florida Cybersecurity Program

   Hakia ranks University of South Florida as the #9 in cybersecurity degree program. Location: Tampa, FL | Type: Public | Tuition: $4,559/year | Graduation Rate: 85% | Score: 68.8

   What makes University of South Florida stand out: USF hosts the state's official Cyber Florida initiative and recently launched the Rapid7 Cyber Threat Intelligence Lab with $1.5 million in industry funding, giving students unprecedented access to real-world threat intelligence data and global cyberattack tracking.

   Hakia Insight: University of South Florida graduates earn $124,910, driven by the program's industry connections and hands-on cybersecurity curriculum.

   Program Overview: The University of South Florida offers one of the nation's most comprehensive cybersecurity education ecosystems, spanning multiple colleges and degree levels. At the undergraduate level, the Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing houses a rigorous B.S. in Cybersecurity (B.S.C.Y.S.) that combines technical foundations with hands-on experience through courses like penetration testing and malware analysis. The program requires 120 credit hours and emphasizes real-world application through mandatory industry internships and specialized labs. For graduate students, USF offers multiple pathways including the innovative M.S. in Cybersecurity Intelligence and Information Security through the College of Arts and Sciences, which can be completed entirely online and focuses on the intelligence function of cybersecurity. The university's cybersecurity programs are enhanced by the $1.5 million Rapid7 Cyber Threat Intelligence Lab, established in 2023, which provides students hands-on experience tracking global threat actors using real-world data. Faculty and students collaborate across four colleges, creating an interdisciplinary approach that spans technical, behavioral, business, and policy aspects of cybersecurity.

   Degree Programs: BS Cybersecurity (4 years); Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity (4 years); Master of Science in Cybersecurity (30 credit hours); BS to MS Pathway (accelerated)

   Research Labs: USF Institute for Artificial Intelligence + X - Artificial Intelligence applications; Rapid7 Threat Intelligence Center - Cybersecurity threat intelligence; Center for Innovation, Technology, and Aging (CITA) - Technology applications for aging populations; SPRAI: Security and Privacy Research of AI Systems Lab - AI systems security and privacy; Reality, Autonomy, and Robot Experience (RARE) Lab - Human-robot interaction and robotics; Robot Perception and Action Lab - Robot perception and control systems; The Engaging Computing Design (EnCoDe) Lab - Human-computer interaction design; Florida Center for Cybersecurity - Cybersecurity research and workforce development

   Industry Partners: Apple, Lockheed Martin, Meta, Jabil, ReliaQuest, Rapid7, Cisco

   Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Apple, Lockheed Martin, Meta, Jabil, ReliaQuest, Rapid7, Cisco | Common Roles: Information Security Analyst, Cybersecurity Consultant, Cybersecurity Risk Analyst, Information Technology Security Specialist

   Notable Faculty: John Licato (Artificial Intelligence and technology research)

   Admissions: GPA: 2.0 minimum for progression to upper division | Acceptance Rate: not specified

   Accreditations: ABET

10. #10. Western Governors University Cybersecurity Program

    Hakia ranks Western Governors University as the #10 in cybersecurity degree program. Location: Salt Lake City, UT | Type: Private | Tuition: $7,710/year | Score: 67.8

    What makes Western Governors University stand out: A competency-based online degree model that permits accelerated progression, vendor-integrated labs, and stackable certifications—ideal for self-directed learners and working professionals.

    Hakia Insight: Through ties with Palo Networks and Cisco, Western Governors University bridges the gap between academic training and industry practice.

    Program Overview: WGU's cybersecurity offerings exemplify competency-based education applied to security domains—students progress by demonstrating mastery rather than seat time, a model that allows motivated learners to accelerate and tailor their study pace. The program structure permits specialization in cloud security, application security, and IT audit while maintaining a core foundation in cryptography, network defense, and risk management. Faculty-led mentorship pairs students with industry practitioners, and the platform integrates labs from vendors like CompTIA, Cisco, and Palo Networks into degree requirements, creating a seamless pathway from coursework to certification. WGU's online-first architecture and moderate tuition attract working professionals and military-connected learners who value flexibility without sacrificing credential rigor. Graduates emerge with multiple stackable certifications—Security+, CISSP prerequisites, and cloud security credentials—aligned with hiring managers' expectations. The university's growing reputation in remote cybersecurity education benefits students seeking employment across distributed tech companies and remote-first security firms.

    Degree Programs: BS in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance (2-4 years); MS in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance (1-2 years)

    Industry Partners: Palo Networks, Cisco, CompTIA

    Career Outcomes:

    Admissions:

    Accreditations: CompTIA Security+, CISSP pathway, Cloud security certifications aligned with AWS and Azure