Cybersecurity Programs in Maryland

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Updated February 13, 2023

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Maryland's cybersecurity sector is growing, and tech programs are plentiful. Read on to learn what to consider when planning your cyber education in the Old Line State.

CyberDegrees.org is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

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Completing a cybersecurity degree in Maryland can open the door to high-paying jobs in the state's growing tech sector. According to CompTIA, the median salary for tech jobs in Maryland is 119% above the national average.

Students can benefit from Maryland's strong commitment to cybersecurity and plentiful online and on-campus cybersecurity programs. Maryland's proximity to the nation's capital means that many federal agencies have offices in the state.

Find out more about Maryland's cybersecurity programs. Discover what this state has to offer, including job opportunities for cybersecurity graduates.

Maryland at a Glance

Average Wage for Computer and Mathematical Occupations

$110,790

% of Workforce in Tech

7.8%

Economic Impact of Tech Industry

$36 billion

Number of Higher Learning Institutions

49

Sources: Cyberstates, NCES, OEWS

Why Go to College for Cybersecurity in Maryland?

Although not geographically large, Maryland is home to 49 institutions of higher learning, including many diverse cybersecurity schools. In addition to offering many cybersecurity and IT job opportunities, Maryland's proximity to Washington D.C. also means access to cybersecurity jobs in government agencies.

Students in online cybersecurity programs can benefit from the ability to learn anytime, anywhere. Graduates can experience the benefits of networking in the state they matriculated from.

Staying local can make it easier to find out about job opportunities, get mentor recommendations, and land internships and first jobs.

Education Statistics for Maryland

Maryland is home to 32 four-year and 16 two-year colleges. The percentage of people with a graduate degree is 6.4% higher in Maryland than the national average.

Higher Education Statistics Maryland Data National Data

Four-Year Colleges

32

2,520

Two-Year Colleges

17

1,216

Students Enrolled in Distance Education

83.2%

72.8%

Adults Over 25 With an Associate Degree

6.7%

8.6%

Adults Over 25 With a Bachelor's Degree

21.8%

20.2%

Adults Over 25 With a Graduate Degree or Higher

19.1%

12.7%

Sources: NCES, U.S. Census Bureau

Accreditation for Maryland Schools

Accredited schools meet high educational standards. Colleges and universities go through a third-party evaluation to receive accreditation.

Choosing an accredited college is important if you want to receive financial aid, apply to graduate school, or transfer to another school.

When choosing a college in Maryland, look for schools with accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Cybersecurity programs are accredited by the ABET's Computing Accreditation Commission.

Considerations for a Cybersecurity Degree in Maryland

Many factors go into choosing the right cybersecurity programs. Consider your desired degree level and program format.

Your options for schools vary depending on if you're pursuing an associate, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree. Program formats may include fully online, hybrid, and in-person options.

Maryland has a significantly higher percentage of students not enrolled in distance education courses than the national average.

Explore rankings for top cybersecurity programs around the country

Associate Degree Programs in Cybersecurity

Associate Degree Programs in Cybersecurity

Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity Programs

Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity Programs

Best Online Master’s in Cybersecurity Programs

Best Online Master’s in Cybersecurity Programs

Top Doctoral Degree Programs in Cybersecurity

Top Doctoral Degree Programs in Cybersecurity

Most Diverse Cybersecurity Programs

Most Diverse Cybersecurity Programs

HBCUs With the Best Cybersecurity Programs

HBCUs With the Best Cybersecurity Programs

Cybersecurity Concentrations and Similar Degrees

Students may choose from various cybersecurity concentrations or similar degrees in information assurance, computer science, and information security systems. These degrees mirror in-demand career opportunities in Maryland's cybersecurity and information security industry.

Information Assurance

An information assurance concentration or degree covers security planning, data privacy, and web security. Students learn to create security systems in compliance with legal standards and protect computer systems from breaches. This field is relevant for people interested in working in one of the many federal government jobs in or near the state.

Computer Science

A computer science degree provides a broad foundation in computing theory and practice. It can prepare students for various in-demand careers in cybersecurity or general computer science-related positions.

Information Systems Security

An information systems security program or concentration combines cybersecurity, programming, and computer systems concepts. Graduates gain specialized knowledge applicable to many cybersecurity-related careers in Maryland.

Paying for Your Cybersecurity Degree

Tuition can dramatically impact your total cost of education, depending on what type of school you choose and whether you pay in-state or out-of-state.

Tuition at a four-year university in Maryland is close to the national average. But, tuition for two-year colleges is higher than the national average in the state. Students attending private schools pay more than $11,000 on average than learners in other states.

Students have various financing options when pursuing a cybersecurity degree in Maryland. Learners may be able to use financial aid, grants/scholarships, fellowships, and loans to pay for a degree.

In-State Versus Out-of-State Tuition

Depending on their residency status, Maryland cybersecurity students pay in-state or out-of-state tuition. In-state tuition is much less expensive than out-of-state tuition. Students who can qualify for resident tuition can save a lot of money.

Maryland participates in the Southern Regional Education Board's Academic Common Market, a state reciprocity agreement and tuition-savings program for college students wanting to attend public institutions outside of their home state.

Maryland's Cost of Living

Maryland's high cost of living can impact a student's budget. Maryland's cost of living is 124 on the cost index, which means it exceeds the national average by 24%. Cost of living accounts for the basic necessities like housing, groceries, and utilities.

Students may find paying for housing particularly difficult in Maryland, where it costs 65.9% more than the national average.

Careers for Cybersecurity Graduates in Maryland

Maryland cybersecurity program graduates can apply for many promising career opportunities in the state. CompTIA's State of the Tech Workforce reports that Maryland ranks seventh in the U.S. for the percentage of its workforce in tech, with cybersecurity and systems engineer occupations ranking as one of the top tech jobs.

Major industries that require workers with cybersecurity or related degrees include cybersecurity and IT, advanced manufacturing, the federal government, and financial services.

Cybersecurity graduates in Maryland may also benefit from being close to other places with many cybersecurity job opportunities, such as Virginia and Washington, D.C.

Maryland boasts the third highest concentration of information security analysts in the U.S, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). It also ranks in the top three states with the highest annual salaries for information security analysts, behind only California and New York.

Select Cybersecurity Careers in Maryland

Information Security Analysts


Information security analysts help organizations keep their computer networks and data secure and respond to cyberattacks. Information security analysts need at least a bachelor's degree in a cybersecurity-related field. Maryland employs more security analysts than 45 other states in the U.S.

Average Salary for Information Security Analysts in Maryland: $126,110(2021)

Job Outlook in Maryland (2020-30): +36.7% job growth


Security Engineers


Security engineers create systems to protect data and prevent security breaches. They typically need at least a bachelor's degree in a computer science-related field.

Average Salary for Security Engineers: $97,523 (January 2023)

Job Outlook in Maryland (2020-30): +36.7% job growth


Security Directors


Security directors oversee the cybersecurity-related staff, policies, procedures, and budget for their organization. They need at least a bachelor's degree and usually at least five years of relevant experience.

Average Salary for Security Directors in Maryland: $155,830 (2021)

Job Outlook in Maryland (2020-30): +11.8% job growth

Maryland's economy also supports many other cybersecurity-related positions, which we describe below.

Maryland Employment Trends

Projected Job Growth for Computer Hardware Engineers, Computer Network Architects, and Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Year State National

Computer Hardware Engineers

2020 Employment

3,550

66, 200

2030 Projected Employment

3,500

67,300

Projected Job Growth, 2020-2030

-1.4%

+1.7%

Computer Network Architects

2018 Employment

8,030

165,200

2030 Projected Employment

8,850

174,200

Projected Job Growth, 2018-28

+10.2%

+5.4%

Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

2020 Employment

43,680

1,847,900

2030 Projected Employment

53,720

2,257,400

Projected Job Growth, 2020-2030

+23%

+22.2%

Source: Projections Central


Salaries for Cybersecurity and Related Careers, May 2021
Career Maryland Employment Maryland Annual Mean Wage National Annual Mean Wage

Computer and Information Systems Managers

11,870

$155,830

$159,010

Computer Hardware Engineers

3,370

$127,200

$128,170

Computer Network Architects

6,730

$136,520

$120,520

Computer Network Support Specialists

7,210

$76,120

$62,760

Computer Programmers

4,940

$95,830

$93,000

Computer Systems Analysts

13,150

$102,390

$99,270

Information Security Analysts

7,330

$126,110

$102,600

Network and Computer Systems Administrators

9,470

$106,480

$80,600

Software Developers

25,710

$131,240

$109,020

Web Developers

2,560

$96,460

$78,300

Source: BLS OEWS

Cybersecurity Employers in Maryland

The National Security Agency: The NSA's mission is to strengthen the national defense and national security systems of the U.S. using technology. Cybersecurity professionals may serve in positions like systems engineer, project manager, analyst, and cryptographic vulnerability analyst.

Department of Defense Cyber Crime Center: DC3 is a federal cyber center that offers cyber training, cyber analytics, and digital forensics services in support of DoD's mission areas including cybersecurity. The organization hires cybersecurity professionals to solve cyber problems facing the U.S.

Lockheed Martin: Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is an aerospace and global security company. Cybersecurity professionals can find job opportunities in the research, development, and design of advanced technology products and services .

Professional Cybersecurity Organizations in Maryland

The links below include resources and opportunities for Maryland cybersecurity students and professionals.

  • Cybersecurity Association of Maryland, Inc.: Founded in 2015, CAMI is a statewide nonprofit group that does advocacy for the cybersecurity field in Maryland and offers educational opportunities to professionals.
  • Black Cybersecurity Association: Based in Maryland, this membership organization offers mentorship opportunities, internships, professional development, and training courses.
  • CyberMaryland Conference: An annual cybersecurity conference hosted by the CyberMaryland Advisory Board, the CyberMaryland conference brings together industry, academia, and government organizations.
  • The Ethical Hackers Club: Started as a Meetup group, TEHC boasts over 4,500 members. Based in Columbia, Maryland, the club brings together people interested in networking and mentoring in the cybersecurity field.
  • The DataTribe Cyber Security Meetup: This Meetup group based in Fulton, Maryland, has more than 700 members. The group regularly hosts cybsercurity speakers, followed by a meet-and-greet.

Schools With Cybersecurity Programs in Maryland

Questions About Cybersecurity in Maryland

  • Can I get a degree in cybersecurity in Maryland?

    Yes, many Maryland schools offer degrees in cybersecurity. You may find online, in-person, and hybrid options in the state.

  • Are the best cybersecurity schools in Maryland expensive?

    The cost of the best cybersecurity schools in Maryland varies. To find the most affordable options, look for public institutions where you can pay in-state tuition.

  • What cybersecurity jobs can I get with a degree in Maryland?

    A degree in Maryland can prepare you to apply for various cybersecurity jobs. The specific positions you may qualify for varies depending on your education level, experience, and concentration. Potential careers to consider include information security analyst, cybersecurity consultant, and cybersecurity manager.

  • Can I study cybersecurity in Maryland IT programs?

    IT programs in Maryland may offer cybersecurity specializations or tracks. Consult the program directly to find out how much it focuses on cybersecurity and the options for adding a concentration.


Page last reviewed on November 3, 2022

The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by CyberDegrees.org.

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