Top 3 Cybersecurity Programs in New York 2025
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice
202 Cybersecurity graduates annually, 90% graduation rate
Rochester Institute of Technology
89 Cybersecurity graduates annually, 90% graduation rate
University at Albany
57 Cybersecurity graduates annually, 99% graduation rate
- 1.New York has 25+ accredited cybersecurity programs, with 8 holding NSA/DHS Center of Excellence designations
- 2.NYU ranks #1 in New York with NSA designation and 87% graduation rate, strongest in financial cybersecurity
- 3.SUNY system offers affordable options with Buffalo and Polytechnic providing quality education under $15,000 in-state
- 4.New York cybersecurity professionals earn median $135,000 annually—15% above national average (BLS New York 2024)
- 5.NYC financial sector and state government provide 45,000+ cybersecurity jobs—second highest concentration nationally
Cybersecurity Education Landscape in New York
New York offers one of the nation's strongest cybersecurity education ecosystems, anchored by world-class universities and the largest financial technology sector globally. From NYU's Wall Street connections to SUNY's affordable excellence, students have pathways to careers protecting critical infrastructure.
The state's cybersecurity programs benefit from proximity to major financial institutions, government agencies, and tech companies that drive real-world curriculum development. For national context, see our best cybersecurity bachelor's programs ranking. Students seeking affordability should review our most affordable cybersecurity programs guide, and career-focused learners can explore our cybersecurity analyst salary guide.
| Rank | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice | New York, NY | Public | $6,930 | 90% | — | 88.3 |
| 2 | Rochester Institute of Technology | Rochester, NY | Private | $55,784 | 90% | — | 69.5 |
| 3 | University at Albany | Albany, NY | Public | $7,070 | 99% | — | 67.3 |
| 4 | Marist College | Poughkeepsie, NY | Private | $45,330 | 100% | — | 64.5 |
| 5 | Syracuse University | Syracuse, NY | Private | $61,310 | 99% | — | 59.9 |
| 6 | SUNY College of Technology at Alfred | Alfred, NY | Public | $7,070 | 90% | — | 56.8 |
| 7 | Farmingdale State College | Farmingdale, NY | Public | $7,070 | 79% | — | 55.2 |
| 8 | United States Military Academy | West Point, NY | Public | $0 | — | — | 54.6 |
| 9 | Excelsior University | Albany, NY | Private | $0 | — | — | 50.9 |
| 10 | Monroe College | Bronx, NY | For-Profit | $15,912 | — | — | 50 |
| 11 | St. John's University-New York | Queens, NY | Private | $48,301 | — | — | 49 |
| 12 | Mercy University | Dobbs Ferry, NY | Private | $21,236 | 75% | — | 48.9 |
| 13 | SUNY Polytechnic Institute | Utica, NY | Public | $7,070 | — | — | 48.8 |
| 14 | St Bonaventure University | Saint Bonaventure, NY | Private | $38,950 | 76% | — | 48.8 |
| 15 | Touro University | New York, NY | Private | $18,950 | — | — | 44.8 |
| 16 | SUNY College of Technology at Canton | Canton, NY | Public | $7,070 | — | — | 44.5 |
| 17 | Hofstra University | Hempstead, NY | Private | $54,335 | — | — | 44.4 |
| 18 | St. John Fisher University | Rochester, NY | Private | $38,566 | — | — | 42.3 |
| 19 | SUNY College of Technology at Delhi | Delhi, NY | Public | $7,070 | — | — | 40.6 |
| 20 | SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill | Cobleskill, NY | Public | $7,070 | — | — | 39.3 |
Showing 1–20 of 22
| Community College Transfer | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Tuition (In-State) | $8,000 - $12,000 | $40,000 - $60,000 | $4,000 + Transfer |
| NSA Designation | Buffalo, Albany, Poly | NYU, Fordham, RIT | Transfer to NSA schools |
| Class Size | |||
| Industry Connections | Excellent (Wall Street) | ||
| Research Opportunities | |||
| Total Debt at Graduation | $25,000 - $35,000 | $80,000 - $150,000 | $15,000 - $25,000 |
SUNY vs Private Universities: Cybersecurity Education Pathways
New York offers distinct cybersecurity education pathways through its public SUNY system and prestigious private institutions, each with unique advantages for different student profiles and career goals.
The State University of New York (SUNY) system provides exceptional value with programs at Buffalo, Albany, and Polytechnic Institute holding NSA designations at under $12,000 annually for residents. SUNY Buffalo, ranked #4 statewide, offers research opportunities comparable to private institutions while maintaining affordability. For cost-conscious students, our most affordable cybersecurity programs guide highlights additional budget-friendly options nationwide.
Private institutions like NYU, Fordham, and RIT command premium tuition but deliver unmatched industry connections, smaller class sizes, and cutting-edge facilities. NYU's Manhattan location provides direct access to Wall Street cybersecurity roles, while RIT's cooperative education program ensures students graduate with substantial work experience. Students considering the investment should review our best value cybersecurity programs analysis for ROI comparisons.
Community college transfer pathways through SUNY also provide cost-effective entry points, allowing students to complete general education requirements affordably before transferring to four-year cybersecurity programs. This strategy can reduce total education costs by 30-40% while accessing the same quality upper-division coursework.
New York University
New York, NY • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $60,438 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Cybersecurity Graduates: 409 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 9%
- • Ranking Score: 87.8 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 409 cybersecurity graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 87.8 / 100
Why Ranked #1
Ranked #1 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (409 graduates), state salary outcomes ($130,710), and selectivity (9% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Why Choose This Program
NYU Tandon is recognized by the NSA as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations and Cyber Defense Research, with students working alongside internationally renowned experts in the NSF-funded OSIRIS Laboratory. The program offers flexible online learning with specialized tracks in Cyber Defense and Cyber Operations.
Program Accreditations & Designations
Available Scholarships
Admission Prerequisites
- •Knowledge of mathematics through calculus
- •Minimum 1 year of any university-level science
- •Good knowledge of a high-level, general-purpose programming language (preferably C++ and/or Python)
- •Knowledge of data structures and discrete mathematics
Admissions
- Min GPA: 3.0
Program Details
- Credits: 30 credits
Available Specializations / Concentrations
Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $64,526 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 100% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Cybersecurity Graduates: 126 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 4%
- • Ranking Score: 85.6 / 100
Program Strengths
- 100% graduation rate
- 126 cybersecurity graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 85.6 / 100
Why Ranked #2
Ranked #2 based on graduation rate (100%), program size (126 graduates), state salary outcomes ($130,710), and selectivity (4% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Why Choose This Program
Columbia offers a unique cross-institutional cybersecurity research program with NYU, Cornell Tech, and CUNY, providing fully funded summer research opportunities. The program combines hands-on research with professional development workshops, industry site visits, and interdisciplinary collaboration across multiple prestigious institutions.
Available Scholarships
Admissions
- Min GPA: 3.30
Program Details
- Credits: 24 points
Available Specializations / Concentrations
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $65,204 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 95% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Cybersecurity Graduates: 80 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 8%
- • Ranking Score: 79.3 / 100
Program Strengths
- 95% graduation rate
- 80 cybersecurity graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 79.3 / 100
Why Ranked #3
Ranked #3 based on graduation rate (95%), program size (80 graduates), state salary outcomes ($130,710), and selectivity (8% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice
New York, NY • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $6,930 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 90% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Cybersecurity Graduates: 202 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 57%
- • Ranking Score: 77.4 / 100
Program Strengths
- 90% graduation rate
- 202 cybersecurity graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 77.4 / 100
Why Ranked #4
Ranked #4 based on graduation rate (90%), program size (202 graduates), state salary outcomes ($130,710), and selectivity (57% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Rochester Institute of Technology
Rochester, NY • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $55,784 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 90% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Cybersecurity Graduates: 89 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 71%
- • Ranking Score: 65.8 / 100
Program Strengths
- 90% graduation rate
- 89 cybersecurity graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 65.8 / 100
Why Ranked #5
Ranked #5 based on graduation rate (90%), program size (89 graduates), state salary outcomes ($130,710), and selectivity (71% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Why Choose This Program
RIT's cybersecurity program features one of the world's leading cybersecurity education centers with a state-of-the-art 52,000-square-foot Global Cybersecurity Institute and a Cyber Range capable of hosting 5,000+ virtual machines. Students consistently win national cybersecurity competitions and benefit from NSA designation as a Center of Academic Excellence.
Program Accreditations & Designations
Career Outcomes
- Starting Salary: $95,300
- Job Placement: 94% outcomes rate
Career Paths
Cybersecurity Analyst
SOC 15-1212Monitor and protect organizational networks, investigate security incidents, and implement defense strategies. High demand in NYC financial sector.
Information Security Manager
Lead cybersecurity teams, develop security policies, and manage enterprise security infrastructure across organizations.
Penetration Tester
Conduct authorized security assessments to identify vulnerabilities in systems and networks. Strong demand in consulting.
Security Compliance Officer
Ensure organizational adherence to cybersecurity regulations and standards. Essential role in heavily regulated NY financial sector.
Digital Forensics Investigator
Analyze digital evidence for criminal investigations and incident response. Growing field with law enforcement and private sector opportunities.
Other Tech Degree Programs in New York
Cybersecurity Programs in Other States
California
Texas
Florida
Washington
Illinois
Pennsylvania
Which Should You Choose?
- Access to the largest financial cybersecurity job market in the US
- Networking opportunities with Wall Street and major banks
- World-class universities with NSA designations and industry connections
- Exposure to cutting-edge fintech and regulatory compliance challenges
- High earning potential to offset higher living costs
- Cultural and professional opportunities in the nation's largest city
- Lower cost of living and more affordable education options
- Focus on other cybersecurity sectors like defense or technology
- Warmer climate and different lifestyle preferences
- Less competitive job market with potentially easier entry
- Strong public university systems with lower tuition costs
Frequently Asked Questions About New York Cybersecurity Programs
Based on 20 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Cybersecurity degree completions indicating program size, faculty, and resources
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023 (4-year institutions weighted higher)
Admission rate from IPEDS 2023 (lower = more selective)
State-specific cybersecurity salaries from BLS OES 2024
Related Cybersecurity Resources
Data Sources and Methodology
Official federal database providing enrollment, graduation rate, and tuition data for all accredited institutions
Official directory of institutions designated as Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense
State-specific employment and salary data for cybersecurity and information security occupations
Job placement rates, starting salaries, and employer partnerships reported by individual institutions
Source: BLS OEWS New York May 2024
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.