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Key Takeaways
10 cybersecurity programs from 8 public and 2 private institutions
3 schools physically in Baltimore, plus 7 within 50 miles. Tuition ranges from $5,016 (Prince George's Community College) to $62,840 (Johns Hopkins University).
Median cybersecurity salary: $130,000, 4% above the national median
Security engineers earn up to $140,400, while cybersecurity managers command $188,500 in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson. Source: BLS OEWS Baltimore-Columbia-Towson MSA, May 2024.
An estimated 2,200 open cybersecurity positions in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson
Maryland has 27,050 total cybersecurity openings, 8% concentrated in the Baltimore metro. Nationally, 26% of cybersecurity roles remain unfilled.
9 NSA Center of Academic Excellence designated schools
Anne Arundel Community College, Community College of Baltimore County, Prince George's Community College and 6 more hold NSA/DHS CAE designation, the federal benchmark for cybersecurity education. CAE students may qualify for CyberCorps: Scholarship for Service (full tuition + stipend).
Updated June 28, 2026
How we ranked Baltimore, Maryland Cybersecurity programs
We rank 17 accredited cybersecurity programs in Baltimore, Maryland using IPEDS 2024 institutional data, BLS OEWS 2024 state salary data, and College Scorecard outcomes. A 4-factor weighted composite is normalized to a 0–100 score. Schools cannot pay for placement; rankings are produced algorithmically.
Cybersecurity Degree Rankings in Baltimore, Maryland
Compare the top-ranked Cybersecurity programs in Baltimore, Maryland by degree level. Tuition, graduation rate, and Hakia Score for every accredited program.
Best Associate's Cybersecurity Programs in Baltimore, Maryland
Hakia ranks 4 accredited associate's cybersecurity programs within 50 miles of Baltimore, 4 public institutions. 1 is physically located in Baltimore, with the rest accessible via short commutes. The top-ranked programs include Montgomery College, Anne Arundel Community College, Community College of Baltimore County. Tuition for associate's programs ranges from $5,016 to $8,190 per year. Community colleges offer the most affordable entry into cybersecurity, and many have articulation agreements with nearby four-year universities for seamless credit transfer. Students can complete foundational coursework in networking, operating systems, and security fundamentals while earning industry certifications like CompTIA Security+ or CySA+. Graduates with a associate's degree in cybersecurity from Baltimore-area schools can expect starting salaries in the range of $84,500 to $101,400 in the local market, with roles such as SOC analyst, IT security technician, or network security associate. The Baltimore metro area has an estimated 2,200 open cybersecurity positions, and the BLS projects +33% job growth through 2033. Anne Arundel Community College and Community College of Baltimore County and Prince George's Community College hold NSA Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) designation at this level, the federal benchmark for cybersecurity education. CAE students may qualify for the CyberCorps: Scholarship for Service program, covering full tuition plus a stipend.
Show all 11 ranked programs
| Rank | School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #6 | College of Southern Maryland | La Plata, MD | Public | $5,880 | 33% | 73.8 |
| #7 | Cecil College | North East, MD | Public | $7,500 | 37% | 70.9 |
| #8 | Community College of Baltimore County | Baltimore, MD | Public | $5,856 | 19% | 68.6 |
| #9 | Prince George's Community College | Largo, MD | Public | $5,136 | 18% | 67.8 |
| #10 | Garrett College | McHenry, MD | Public | $8,260 | 34% | 65.6 |
| #11 | Baltimore City Community College | Baltimore, MD | Public | $2,640 | 17% | 64.4 |
Best Bachelor's Cybersecurity Programs in Baltimore, Maryland
Hakia ranks 5 accredited bachelor's cybersecurity programs within 50 miles of Baltimore, 4 public and 1 private institutions. 2 are physically located in Baltimore, with the rest accessible via short commutes. The top-ranked programs include University of Maryland-College Park, University of Maryland-Baltimore County, Towson University. Annual tuition ranges from $7,382 to $62,840 (average: $19,396). A four-year cybersecurity degree covers core topics including network defense, ethical hacking, digital forensics, and security policy, preparing graduates for roles as security analyst, penetration tester, or incident response specialist. The average graduation rate across these programs is 85%. Graduates with a bachelor's degree in cybersecurity from Baltimore-area schools can expect starting salaries in the range of $114,400 to $123,500 in the local market, with roles such as security analyst, penetration tester, or incident response specialist. The Baltimore metro area has an estimated 2,200 open cybersecurity positions, and the BLS projects +33% job growth through 2033. University of Maryland-College Park and University of Maryland-Baltimore County and Towson University and Johns Hopkins University and University of Maryland Global Campus hold NSA Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) designation at this level, the federal benchmark for cybersecurity education. CAE students may qualify for the CyberCorps: Scholarship for Service program, covering full tuition plus a stipend.
Mount St. Mary's University
Show all 6 ranked programs
| Rank | School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #6 | Capitol Technology University | Laurel, MD | Private nonprofit | $26,350 | 43% | 68.9 |
Best Master's Cybersecurity Programs in Baltimore, Maryland
Hakia ranks 4 accredited master's cybersecurity programs within 50 miles of Baltimore, 3 public and 1 private institutions. 2 are physically located in Baltimore, with the rest accessible via short commutes. The top-ranked programs include University of Maryland-College Park, Johns Hopkins University, University of Maryland-Baltimore County. Graduate tuition ranges from $7,382 to $62,840 per year. Master's programs take 18-24 months and focus on advanced topics like threat intelligence, security architecture, risk management, and leadership, designed for professionals looking to move into senior technical or management roles. Average completion rate: 88%. Graduates with a master's degree in cybersecurity from Baltimore-area schools can expect starting salaries in the range of $140,400 to $158,600 in the local market, with roles such as security engineer, security architect, or cybersecurity consultant. The Baltimore metro area has an estimated 2,200 open cybersecurity positions, and the BLS projects +33% job growth through 2033. University of Maryland-College Park and University of Maryland-Baltimore County and Towson University and Johns Hopkins University hold NSA Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) designation at this level, the federal benchmark for cybersecurity education. CAE students may qualify for the CyberCorps: Scholarship for Service program, covering full tuition plus a stipend.
Capitol Technology University
Show all 8 ranked programs
| Rank | School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #6 | University of Baltimore | Baltimore, MD | Public | $7,590 | 38% | 62.9 |
| #7 | University of Maryland Eastern Shore | Princess Anne, MD | Public | $5,750 | 35% | 58.4 |
| #8 | Strayer University-Maryland | Suitland, MD | Private for-profit | $13,725 | 38% | 57.6 |
Best Doctoral Cybersecurity Programs in Baltimore, Maryland
Hakia ranks 4 accredited doctoral cybersecurity programs within 50 miles of Baltimore, 2 public and 2 private institutions. 2 are physically located in Baltimore, with the rest accessible via short commutes. The top-ranked programs include University of Maryland-College Park, Johns Hopkins University, University of Maryland-Baltimore County. Doctoral program tuition ranges from $9,238 to $62,840 per year, though many programs offer research assistantships, teaching fellowships, or full-tuition waivers. Ph.D. programs in cybersecurity take 4-6 years and focus on original research in areas like cryptography, AI-driven threat detection, or privacy engineering. Graduates with a doctoral degree in cybersecurity from Baltimore-area schools can expect starting salaries in the range of $158,600 to $188,500 in the local market, with roles such as chief information security officer, research scientist, or university professor. The Baltimore metro area has an estimated 2,200 open cybersecurity positions, and the BLS projects +33% job growth through 2033. University of Maryland-College Park and University of Maryland-Baltimore County and Johns Hopkins University and Capitol Technology University hold NSA Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) designation at this level, the federal benchmark for cybersecurity education. CAE students may qualify for the CyberCorps: Scholarship for Service program, covering full tuition plus a stipend.
Capitol Technology University
Why Study Cybersecurity in Baltimore, Maryland
Baltimore is home to a growing cybersecurity education ecosystem with 10 accredited programs across 4 associate's, 5 bachelor's, 4 master's, 4 doctoral degree levels within 50 miles. 3 of these institutions are physically located in Baltimore, with the remaining schools accessible via short commutes from surrounding communities in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson.
9 schools near Baltimore hold NSA Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) designation: Anne Arundel Community College, Community College of Baltimore County, Prince George's Community College, University of Maryland-College Park, University of Maryland-Baltimore County, Towson University, Johns Hopkins University, University of Maryland Global Campus, Capitol Technology University. The CAE program, jointly sponsored by the NSA and DHS, certifies schools whose cybersecurity curricula meet rigorous federal standards aligned with the NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework. Students at CAE-designated schools may qualify for the CyberCorps: Scholarship for Service program, which covers full tuition plus a $25,000-$34,000 annual stipend in exchange for government service after graduation.
The Baltimore-Columbia-Towson cybersecurity job market is substantial, with an estimated 2,200 open positions and a median salary of $130,000 for information security analysts (BLS OEWS May 2024). The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +33% job growth for cybersecurity roles through 2033, making it one of the fastest-growing occupations in the U.S. economy. For students in Baltimore, this translates to strong local hiring prospects upon graduation.
Among the top-ranked programs, University of Maryland-College Park (84.2% graduation rate) leads the bachelor's rankings. See our complete rankings below for detailed program comparisons across all degree levels.
Median Cybersecurity Salary in Baltimore
Cybersecurity Salaries by Role: Baltimore vs. National Average
| Role | Baltimore Metro | National Median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Security Analyst | $114,400 | $109,921 | +4% |
| Penetration Tester | $123,500 | $118,665 | +4% |
| Security Engineer | $140,400 | $134,903 | +4% |
| Security Architect | $158,600 | $152,390 | +4% |
| Cybersecurity Manager / CISO | $188,500 | $181,120 | +4% |
Source: BLS OEWS Baltimore-Columbia-Towson MSA, May 2024. Role estimates derived from BLS SOC 15-1212 median.
Cybersecurity Salaries in Baltimore: What to Expect by Role
Cybersecurity professionals in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson earn a median salary of $130,000, which is 4% above the national median of $124,910 (BLS OEWS May 2024, SOC 15-1212: Information Security Analysts). This positions Baltimore as one of the highest-paying metro areas for cybersecurity talent in the country.
Entry-level security analysts in Baltimore can expect starting salaries around $114,400, making cybersecurity one of the highest-paying entry points in the tech sector. With 2-5 years of experience, penetration testers, who simulate cyberattacks to identify vulnerabilities, earn approximately $123,500. Senior technical roles like security engineers command $140,400, while security architects who design enterprise defense systems earn up to $158,600.
At the management level, cybersecurity managers and CISOs in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson can earn $188,500 or more, a 65% premium over entry-level positions. This career trajectory from analyst to manager spans 8-12 years, with certifications like CISSP (82,494 openings nationally), CompTIA Security+ (70,019 openings), and CISA (52,337 openings) significantly accelerating advancement and salary growth.
Security clearances provide an additional salary boost of approximately $25,000 per year. Professionals with Top Secret/SCI clearances can earn between $104,000 and $185,000 nationally, making this a particularly lucrative path for graduates near Baltimore, especially given the proximity to defense contractors and federal agencies. For a deeper dive into cybersecurity compensation trends, see our Cybersecurity Analyst Salary Guide. You can also explore related fields like Information Security and Network Administration for adjacent career paths.
Top Cybersecurity Employers in Baltimore
The Baltimore cybersecurity job market spans 3 major sectors, with employers actively recruiting for roles ranging from entry-level SOC analysts to senior security architects. Here are the key employers driving cybersecurity hiring locally:
Government
Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. Major defense research contractor with extensive cybersecurity operations supporting national security missions.
NSA (National Security Agency). Major Fort Meade presence employing thousands in cybersecurity roles with classified defense operations.
University of Maryland. Hosts Maryland Cybersecurity Center and runs federally-funded research in cyber defense.
Defense
Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems. Large Maryland facility focused on defense IT systems with significant cybersecurity workforce.
Technology
Marriott International. Global hospitality company headquartered in Bethesda with enterprise-wide data security operations.
These employers represent a cross-section of the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson area's cybersecurity hiring market. Many maintain partnerships with local universities for internships, co-ops, and direct hiring pipelines, making a degree from a Baltimore-area school particularly valuable for breaking into the field.
Notable Cyber Incidents Affecting Baltimore Organizations
Notable Cyber Incidents in the Baltimore Area
Cyber threats aren't abstract risks for Baltimore, they have directly impacted local organizations, showing the urgent need for trained cybersecurity professionals in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson:
University of Maryland (2021), ransomware. NetWalker ransomware attack forced university systems offline, demanding $750,000 ransom (not paid).
Maryland State Government (2023), data breach. Personal information for hundreds of thousands of state employees and citizens exposed through contractor breach.
These incidents represent just a fraction of the cyber threats facing Baltimore-area organizations. According to CyberSeek data, the Baltimore metro area has an estimated 2,200 open cybersecurity positions, and the nationwide supply-to-demand ratio stands at just 74%, meaning roughly one in four cybersecurity roles goes unfilled. For students considering a cybersecurity degree, these real-world incidents demonstrate that the skills learned in programs near Baltimore directly translate to preventing and responding to threats that affect their own community.
Cybersecurity Programs Accessible from Nearby Communities
If you live in a community near Baltimore, you can access the same cybersecurity programs without relocating. The greater Baltimore area is well-connected, and many students commute from surrounding cities to attend programs locally. Here's how Baltimore's cybersecurity schools are accessible from nearby areas:
- Columbia → Community College of Baltimore County (23 mi), University of Maryland-Baltimore County (9 mi), Johns Hopkins University (16 mi)
- Towson (also has 1 local program) → Community College of Baltimore County (7 mi), University of Maryland-Baltimore County (11 mi), Johns Hopkins University (5 mi)
All of these schools are within commuting distance, and many offer evening, weekend, or hybrid class schedules designed for students who travel from outside Baltimore. Several programs also offer fully online options, see our rankings with online filter above.
Cybersecurity Job Market in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson
The cybersecurity job market in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson reflects a broader national talent crisis. Maryland has approximately 27,050 open cybersecurity positions (CyberSeek, January 2026), with an estimated 2,200 concentrated in the Baltimore metro area. Nationally, there are 514,359 unfilled cybersecurity roles across the United States, and the workforce gap continues to widen, the global shortfall reached 4.8 million positions in 2024, a 41% increase since 2022.
The supply-to-demand ratio for cybersecurity talent nationally is approximately 74%, meaning for every 100 cybersecurity jobs posted, only about 74 qualified candidates are available. This ratio has been declining steadily (from 116% in 2020 to 74% in 2025), which means cybersecurity graduates face increasingly favorable job prospects. For Baltimore students specifically, this translates to strong local hiring demand and competitive starting salaries.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +33% growth in information security analyst employment through 2033, compared to just 4% for all occupations. This makes cybersecurity the 6th fastest-growing occupation in the United States. Within Maryland, the combination of a large technology sector, defense contracting, and growing digital transformation across industries is driving sustained demand for cybersecurity talent.
Most in-demand certifications that complement a cybersecurity degree from Baltimore schools include CISSP (82,494 job postings nationally), CompTIA Security+ (70,019 postings), and CISA (52,337 postings). Many of the top-ranked programs near Baltimore integrate certification preparation into their curricula, giving graduates a competitive edge in this seller's market. For statewide job market trends and additional programs, see our Maryland Cybersecurity Rankings.
Cybersecurity Degree Costs in Baltimore
Cybersecurity degree programs near Baltimore range from $5,016/year at Prince George's Community College to $62,840/year at Johns Hopkins University. Public institutions average $7,514/year (in-state), while private schools average $44,464/year.
Return on investment is compelling: with a median cybersecurity salary of $130,000 in the Baltimore area versus a high school diploma median of $42,000 (BLS 2024), a four-year bachelor's degree at a typical tuition rate (approximately $92,996 total) can be recouped in roughly 1.1 years of the annual salary premium. Community college cybersecurity programs offer an even faster path, a two-year associate's degree for as little as $10,032 provides foundational credentials for entry-level SOC analyst or IT security roles paying $97,500+.
Ways to reduce costs: Federal financial aid (FAFSA), Maryland state grants, institutional scholarships, and cybersecurity-specific funding like the CyberCorps: Scholarship for Service program (full tuition + $25,000-$34,000 annual stipend). Many employers in the Baltimore area also offer tuition reimbursement for employees pursuing cybersecurity degrees, check with local employers listed in our employer section above.
Cybersecurity Degree Programs in Baltimore: Frequently Asked Questions
How many cybersecurity degree programs are available in Baltimore, Maryland?
What's the average cybersecurity salary in Baltimore?
How many cybersecurity jobs are available in Baltimore?
Which Baltimore schools have NSA Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) designation?
Can I earn a cybersecurity degree online from Baltimore schools?
Data Sources
U.S. Department of Education institutional data: enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, and institutional characteristics for all Title IV schools
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for Information Security Analysts (SOC 15-1212). National median: $124,910.
Cybersecurity workforce supply and demand data powered by CompTIA and NICE. Maryland: 27,050 openings. National: 514,359 openings, 26% vacancy rate.
National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity program designations. 9 designated schools near Baltimore.
Last Updated: June 26, 2026. Rankings based on IPEDS 2024 institutional data. Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 release. Job market data from CyberSeek (January 2026). NSA CAE designations verified as of February 2026.
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.