Compare 287 accredited information security master's degree programs using data from IPEDS 2024 and BLS 2024. Our rankings analyze graduation rates, tuition costs, NSA certification, and cybersecurity career outcomes.
$129,180 median salary · 94% graduation rate
$129,180 median salary · 94% graduation rate
$129,180 median salary · 88% graduation rate
$129,180 median salary · 91% graduation rate
$129,180 median salary · 92% graduation rate
$129,180 median salary · 94% graduation rate
$129,180 median salary · 89% graduation rate
$129,180 median salary · 95% graduation rate
$129,180 median salary · 96% graduation rate
$129,180 median salary · 98% graduation rate
Hakia ranks Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus's master's information security program #1. Degree: Master's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Atlanta, GA | Type: Public | Tuition: $10,512/year | Graduation Rate: 94% | Median Salary: $129,180 | Score: 95.9
Hakia ranks Johns Hopkins University's master's information security program #2. Degree: Master's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Baltimore, MD | Type: Private nonprofit | Tuition: $64,730/year | Graduation Rate: 94% | Median Salary: $129,180 | Score: 95.1
Hakia ranks New York University's online master's information security program #3. Degree: Master's. Delivery: fully online. Location: New York, NY | Type: Private nonprofit | Tuition: $62,796/year | Graduation Rate: 88% | Median Salary: $129,180 | Score: 95.1
Hakia ranks Northeastern University's master's information security program #4. Degree: Master's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Boston, MA | Type: Private nonprofit | Tuition: $64,990/year | Graduation Rate: 91% | Median Salary: $129,180 | Score: 94.5
Hakia ranks University of Southern California's master's information security program #5. Degree: Master's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Los Angeles, CA | Type: Private nonprofit | Tuition: $69,904/year | Graduation Rate: 92% | Median Salary: $129,180 | Score: 94.0
Hakia ranks Carnegie Mellon University's master's information security program #6. Degree: Master's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Pittsburgh, PA | Type: Private nonprofit | Tuition: $64,596/year | Graduation Rate: 94% | Median Salary: $129,180 | Score: 93.7
Hakia ranks The University of Texas at Austin's master's information security program #7. Degree: Master's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Austin, TX | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,688/year | Graduation Rate: 89% | Median Salary: $129,180 | Score: 93.5
Hakia ranks Georgetown University's master's information security program #8. Degree: Master's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Washington, DC | Type: Private nonprofit | Tuition: $67,896/year | Graduation Rate: 95% | Median Salary: $129,180 | Score: 93.4
Hakia ranks Brown University's online master's information security program #9. Degree: Master's. Delivery: fully online. Location: Providence, RI | Type: Private nonprofit | Tuition: $68,612/year | Graduation Rate: 96% | Median Salary: $129,180 | Score: 92.7
Hakia ranks Harvard University's master's information security program #10. Degree: Master's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Cambridge, MA | Type: Private nonprofit | Tuition: $56,550/year | Graduation Rate: 98% | Median Salary: $129,180 | Score: 92.3
| 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 |
Data from IPEDS 2024. Tuition shown is in-state for public schools.
| Rank | Program & School | Delivery | Annual Tuition | Grad Rate | Median Salary | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Master's in Information Security Georgia Institute of Technology-Main CampusAtlanta, GA · Public | On-campus | $10,512 | 94% | $129,180 | 95.9 |
| #2 | Master's in Information Security Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimore, MD · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $64,730 | 94% | $129,180 | 95.1 |
| #3 | Master's in Information Security New York UniversityNew York, NY · Private nonprofit | Online | $62,796 | 88% | $129,180 | 95.1 |
| #4 | Master's in Information Security Northeastern UniversityBoston, MA · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $64,990 | 91% | $129,180 | 94.5 |
| #5 | Master's in Information Security University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles, CA · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $69,904 | 92% | $129,180 | 94.0 |
| #6 | Master's in Information Security Carnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburgh, PA · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $64,596 | 94% | $129,180 | 93.7 |
| #7 | Master's in Information Security The University of Texas at AustinAustin, TX · Public | On-campus | $11,688 | 89% | $129,180 | 93.5 |
| #8 | Master's in Information Security Georgetown UniversityWashington, DC · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $67,896 | 95% | $129,180 | 93.4 |
| #9 | Master's in Information Security Brown UniversityProvidence, RI · Private nonprofit | Online | $68,612 | 96% | $129,180 | 92.7 |
| #10 | Master's in Information Security Harvard UniversityCambridge, MA · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $56,550 | 98% | $129,180 | 92.3 |
| #11 | Master's in Information Security Washington University in St LouisSt. Louis, MO · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $64,500 | 94% | $129,180 | 91.4 |
| #12 | Master's in Information Security University of Central FloridaOrlando, FL · Public | On-campus | $4,478 | 78% | $129,180 | 91.3 |
| #13 | Master's in Information Security Boston CollegeChestnut Hill, MA · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $69,400 | 91% | $129,180 | 91.3 |
| #14 | Master's in Information Security George Washington UniversityWashington, DC · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $67,420 | 84% | $129,180 | 91.2 |
| #15 | Master's in Information Security San Diego State UniversitySan Diego, CA · Public | On-campus | $6,084 | 76% | $129,180 | 90.8 |
| #16 | Master's in Information Security University of GeorgiaAthens, GA · Public | On-campus | $10,034 | 90% | $129,180 | 90.8 |
| #17 | Master's in Information Security Boston UniversityBoston, MA · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $66,670 | 89% | $129,180 | 90.6 |
| #18 | Master's in Information Security Tufts UniversityMedford, MA · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $69,146 | 94% | $129,180 | 90.5 |
| #19 | Master's in Information Security Syracuse UniversitySyracuse, NY · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $63,710 | 84% | $129,180 | 90.1 |
| #20 | Master's in Information Security Tulane University of LouisianaNew Orleans, LA · Private nonprofit | Online | $64,372 | 86% | $129,180 | 89.7 |
| #21 | Master's in Information Security Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusUniversity Park, PA · Public | On-campus | $20,066 | 86% | $129,180 | 89.5 |
| #22 | Master's in Information Security Auburn UniversityAuburn, AL · Public | Online | $11,016 | 82% | $129,180 | 89.3 |
| #23 | Master's in Information Security Fordham UniversityBronx, NY · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $62,990 | 82% | $129,180 | 88.3 |
| #24 | Master's in Information Security The University of Texas at DallasRichardson, TX · Public | On-campus | $10,639 | 76% | $129,180 | 87.9 |
| #25 | Master's in Information Security University of San DiegoSan Diego, CA · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $58,420 | 84% | $129,180 | 87.7 |
| #26 | Master's in Information Security Florida International UniversityMiami, FL · Public | On-campus | $4,721 | 74% | $129,180 | 87.7 |
| #27 | Master's in Information Security Yeshiva UniversityNew York, NY · Private nonprofit | Online | $47,150 | 83% | $129,180 | 87.4 |
| #28 | Master's in Information Security University of DelawareNewark, DE · Public | On-campus | $14,600 | 81% | $129,180 | 86.5 |
| #29 | Master's in Information Security New Jersey Institute of TechnologyNewark, NJ · Public | Online | $16,334 | 73% | $129,180 | 86.3 |
| #30 | Master's in Information Security Southern Methodist UniversityDallas, TX · Private nonprofit | Online | $59,500 | 84% | $129,180 | 86.3 |
| #31 | Master's in Information Security Rochester Institute of TechnologyRochester, NY · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $58,260 | 70% | $129,180 | 85.9 |
| #32 | Master's in Information Security Fairfield UniversityFairfield, CT · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $57,450 | 84% | $129,180 | 85.6 |
| #33 | Master's in Information Security Illinois Institute of TechnologyChicago, IL · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $50,636 | 75% | $129,180 | 85.1 |
| #34 | Master's in Information Security The University of TampaTampa, FL · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $32,096 | 64% | $129,180 | 84.6 |
| #35 | Master's in Information Security University of TulsaTulsa, OK · Private nonprofit | Online | $48,340 | 72% | $129,180 | 84.0 |
| #36 | Master's in Information Security Indiana University-BloomingtonBloomington, IN · Public | On-campus | $10,622 | 80% | $129,180 | 83.7 |
| #37 | Master's in Information Security Worcester Polytechnic InstituteWorcester, MA · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $59,700 | 90% | $129,180 | 83.6 |
| #38 | Master's in Information Security University of HoustonHouston, TX · Public | On-campus | $8,685 | 65% | $129,180 | 83.6 |
| #39 | Master's in Information Security Drexel UniversityPhiladelphia, PA · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $60,042 | 78% | $129,180 | 83.5 |
| #40 | Master's in Information Security University at AlbanyAlbany, NY · Public | On-campus | $7,070 | 61% | $129,180 | 83.2 |
| #41 | Master's in Information Security University of North Carolina at CharlotteCharlotte, NC · Public | On-campus | $3,812 | 69% | $129,180 | 83.0 |
| #42 | Master's in Information Security Hallmark UniversitySan Antonio, TX · Private nonprofit | Online | — | 66% | $129,180 | 83.0 |
| #43 | Master's in Information Security University of DallasIrving, TX · Private nonprofit | Online | $50,140 | 73% | $129,180 | 82.6 |
| #44 | Master's in Information Security Strayer University-FloridaTampa, FL · Private for-profit | Online | $13,725 | 100% | $129,180 | 82.3 |
| #45 | Master's in Information Security University of Alabama in HuntsvilleHuntsville, AL · Public | On-campus | $10,374 | 64% | $129,180 | 82.1 |
| #46 | Master's in Information Security Temple UniversityPhiladelphia, PA · Public | On-campus | $21,989 | 75% | $129,180 | 82.1 |
| #47 | Master's in Information Security American Public University SystemCharles Town, WV · Private for-profit | Online | $8,400 | 57% | $129,180 | 81.9 |
| #48 | Master's in Information Security University of West FloridaPensacola, FL · Public | On-campus | $3,735 | 59% | $129,180 | 81.2 |
| #49 | Master's in Information Security DePaul UniversityChicago, IL · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $44,601 | 68% | $129,180 | 81.2 |
| #50 | Master's in Information Security University of Rhode IslandKingston, RI · Public | Online | $14,630 | 73% | $129,180 | 81.1 |
Showing all 50 ranked programs.
Information security master's programs prepare students for leadership roles in cybersecurity careers that are experiencing unprecedented demand. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 35% growth for information security analysts through 2032, making it one of the fastest-growing occupations in the United States.
Data from 287 accredited programs shows strong career outcomes across all institution types. Public universities offer exceptional value, with programs like Georgia Tech's cybersecurity master's providing education at $15,852/year for in-state students. Private institutions like Carnegie Mellon command premium tuition but deliver unmatched industry connections and research opportunities.
The field has evolved significantly with the rise of AI and machine learning in cybersecurity, creating new specializations in areas like threat intelligence, cloud security, and IoT protection. Modern programs emphasize hands-on learning through security certification paths and real-world incident response scenarios.
Leads cybersecurity teams, develops security strategies, and manages incident response. Common progression from analyst roles.
Designs and implements enterprise security infrastructure. Requires deep technical knowledge and systems thinking.
Tests systems for vulnerabilities by simulating cyber attacks. Highly technical role requiring continuous skill development.
Executive responsible for organization's entire cybersecurity strategy. Requires master's degree and 10+ years experience.
Provides cybersecurity expertise to multiple organizations. Often work independently or for consulting firms.
Responds to and investigates cybersecurity incidents. Critical role in minimizing damage from breaches.
Ensures organizations meet cybersecurity regulations and standards. Growing field due to increasing regulations.
Information security master's programs offer numerous funding opportunities, reflecting the field's critical importance to national security and economic competitiveness. Many students receive full or partial funding through employer tuition reimbursement, government programs, and cybersecurity-specific scholarships.
Federal agencies like NSA and DHS offer competitive scholarship programs for cybersecurity students. The CyberCorps Scholarship for Service provides full tuition, stipends, and guaranteed government employment after graduation. Private organizations including ISC2, SANS, and major technology companies also provide substantial scholarships.
Based on 742 programs from IPEDS 2024
We scored 50 master's information security programs on the Hakia Score, a 0 to 100 composite drawn from federal IPEDS 2024 and BLS figures, and Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus's Master's in Information Security sits at the top. Graduates step into a field where the median wage runs about $129,180.
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.
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.
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.
National salary data for information security graduates, factored into institutional scores based on job market strength.
Overall quality using all four factors weighted as shown above. Ideal for students seeking the strongest academic experience.
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.
Ranked primarily by net cost (tuition minus average institutional aid), with quality factors as tiebreakers. Best for cost-conscious students.
Federal database providing institutional characteristics, enrollment, graduation rates, and tuition data for all accredited institutions
Comprehensive salary and employment data for information security analysts (SOC 15-1212) and related occupations
Designation database for cybersecurity education programs meeting NSA standards for curriculum and faculty qualifications
National framework defining cybersecurity roles, skills, and knowledge areas used to evaluate program curricula
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.