15 Best Master’s in Cybersecurity Degree Programs

A master’s degree in cybersecurity provides a graduate-level education for information technology (IT) professionals looking to advance their skills and employment prospects. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a faster-than-average 11% occupational growth for computer and IT professionals between 2019 and 2029.

If you want to learn more about the benefits of earning a master’s degree in cybersecurity, this guide is for you. We cover major topics like program content, timeline and formatting options, career opportunities, and degree selection.

Why Get a Cybersecurity Master’s Degree?

Cybersecurity is one of today’s most popular areas of employment. The field is relatively new; the first computer virus emerged in the early 1970s, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology filed the first U.S. cybersecurity patent less than four decades ago, in 1983.

According to the BLS, as of 2019, over 130,000 individuals worked as information security analysts — just one of many occupations under the cybersecurity umbrella.

Cybersecurity jobs boast much higher-than-average growth. This is due in part to cybersecurity’s increasingly important role in protecting the integrity of business data, election results, computer networks, and private information. 

A bachelor’s degree satisfies minimum requirements for many cybersecurity occupations, but a master’s degree provides graduates with additional skills and knowledge, giving them a competitive edge in the job market. A master’s also enables professionals to cast a wider net for their job search. Master’s program graduates can effectively supervise security teams, work as independent consultants, or advance to top management positions. 

Three major benefits of earning a cybersecurity master’s include:

What To Expect From Master’s in Cybersecurity Programs

At the graduate level, cybersecurity programs strive to build on students’ existing mathematics and computer science skills so they can help organizations identify and overcome system vulnerabilities. Most cybersecurity master’s programs require 30-36 credits of coursework. When studying full time, learners frequently graduate in just a year, with some degrees offering a longer, two-year timeline.

A master of science in cybersecurity is one of the most popular degree options for cybersecurity professionals. However, some students pursue closely related programs, such as a master’s in computer science with a cybersecurity concentration or a master’s in criminal justice with a digital forensics concentration.

Within the MS in cybersecurity, learners take courses in data protection, cryptography, internet security, and ethics and policy. Degrees may offer additional concentration options including cyberoperations, information systems security, or computer networking and infrastructure. 

Admission Requirements

Before applying to a cybersecurity master’s program, candidates must complete a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. A school may limit admission to computer science or cybersecurity majors or admit candidates with any academic background, as long as these applicants have completed required course prerequisites.

GPA requirements vary by school, though they generally range from 2.0-3.0 or higher. Similarly, standardized test requirements vary by program, and some schools may not require GRE or GMAT scores at all.

Along with official transcripts and test scores, master’s programs commonly ask for letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose. Others may also ask for a current resume, as some programs may require prior work experience.

Graduate programs typically charge a nonrefundable application fee of $50-$105.

Degree and Specialization Options

The top cybersecurity master’s degree programs take a few different forms, adjusted to meet varying professional goals across multiple industries. Three of the most common cybersecurity master’s degrees include:

Popular Cybersecurity Courses

The best universities for master’s in cybersecurity programs offer dozens of course subjects to meet the varied interests and professional needs of their students. Depending on the degree you select, core coursework may cover theory and conceptual topics, practical cybersecurity techniques, or advanced mathematics.

Some programs offer specialized tracks designed to enhance knowledge and skills in a specific area like analysis, networks, or cyberoperations. Degree-seekers studying cybersecurity commonly encounter the following core, elective, and capstone courses:

• Network Security
• Web Security and Privacy
• Foundations of Algorithms
• Digital Forensics
• Capstone/Master's Thesis

Network Security

This course covers fundamental issues and concepts relating to network security. Class lectures discuss vulnerabilities and threats including network mapping, port scanning, and DDoS. Students gain skills in applied cryptography and information security through exploration of topics like encryption algorithms, authentication, and digital signatures.

Web Security and Privacy

This course provides students with knowledge and skills relating to the latest internet security techniques and practices. While primarily focused on server-side security issues like firewalls and proper configuration, coursework also examines related topics including client-server connections, spyware, software security, and information breach.

Foundations of Algorithms

This survey course examines fundamental techniques of algorithm design and analysis. Topics include sorting and searching, design paradigms, and graph algorithms. This class develops students’ problem-solving skills required for the continued study of computer science.

Digital Forensics

This common elective class introduces students to the fundamental issues, concepts, and techniques of forensic science as applied to computers and networks. Using theory, case studies, and contemporary literature, coursework discusses the collection, preservation, analysis, and presentation of digital evidence for cybercrime investigation.

Capstone/Master's Thesis

Depending on the degree, a capstone or thesis may be optional or required. Learners who participate in this culminating experience must integrate skills and knowledge gained throughout the program. Working under the guidance of a faculty member, students complete an extensive project or written paper addressing a real-world problem in cybersecurity.

How Much Will a Master’s Degree in Cybersecurity Cost?

According to U.S. News & World Report, a master’s degree in cybersecurity costs anywhere from $17,000-$70,000 in tuition. In-state learners enrolled at a public university tend to pay the lowest costs, while out-of-state learners and those enrolled in private institutions tend to pay more.

When budgeting for your education, also consider the cost of housing, meals, books, transportation, and supplies. Graduate students may save some money by learning online and avoiding campus-based fees.

To help lower your out-of-pocket expenses, look first for scholarships, grants, and fellowships, which award funds that do not require repayment. Good places to seek out these forms of financial assistance include your prospective school and academic department, cybersecurity organizations, and private foundations.

Many students also need to take out loans in order to finance their education. Before signing on to borrow any amount, make sure to carefully review the loan terms, compare multiple lenders, and evaluate your repayment options.

Jobs for Master’s in Cybersecurity Graduates

In the list below, we detail five popular career opportunities for cybersecurity master’s graduates.

Although a bachelor’s degree satisfies many minimum requirements for entry-level employment, earning a master’s improves applicants’ chances of employment and advancement in the competitive cybersecurity field.

Cybersecurity pays well. As a chief information security officer, graduates bring home a median salary of $146,360. Even non-supervisory security positions, like information security analysts, can earn six-figure salaries.

Professional certifications can also improve job prospects and earning potential. Options to consider include certified information systems security professional, certified ethical hacker, and certified information security manager.

Choosing the Right Cybersecurity Graduate Program

You can get a lot of valuable information from our program rankings, but choosing the right degree requires consideration of other factors, too. Every graduate student brings unique priorities and needs to the table. Some things you may want to consider include:

Should You Get Your Degree Online?

Online learning continues to grow in popularity, especially among graduate school attendees. More than 30% of all postbaccalaureate college students studied exclusively via distance learning formats in fall 2019, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

Cybersecurity programs are computer-based and therefore suit the distance education format quite well. Online colleges are a great option for students who work full time, as the flexible scheduling of asynchronous courses allows learners to complete assignments in accordance with their work schedules.

While determining whether an online cybersecurity master’s degree is right for you, consider the following factors: 

The Top Cybersecurity Master’s Degree Programs of 2021

Earning a cybersecurity master’s degree can lead to top positions for aspiring chief information security officers and cybersecurity analysts and directors. We applied our signature methodology to rank the nation’s best master’s in cybersecurity. Visit the link below to learn more about our ranking methodology.

Frequently Asked Questions

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