Online Master's Degree in Cybersecurity - Best of 2024

Get Matched With Cybersecurity Colleges

The field of cyber security is growing extremely fast; according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment is projected to grow by 28% in the next decade. As technology advances and everything becomes connected online, colleges and universities are trying to keep up with the demand and are now offering master’s programs that are specific to the online and cybersecurity field. With the high demand for skilled security workers with technical skills and relevant work experience, you may be wondering if a graduate program is worth the time and effort it takes beyond how long students spend in school earning their undergraduate degrees; in a word, the answer is yes. With a Master of Science in cyber security degree, you can reach the top of the field in cyber security and find job security, new career opportunities, and excellent wages wherever you choose to live and work. You may even be able to work remotely through an online connection and create your own business consultancy to help companies with their cybersecurity needs. Here are some details to help you with your educational questions about advanced degree programs in cyber security.

These graduate programs will help graduate students to build on their undergraduate degrees, whether they earned a degree in cyber security, information assurance, or computer science. Core courses in these programs vary, even if you make sure to choose an accredited institution, but a master of science in cyber security or similar graduate program may cover the following subjects:

Operating Systems, Computer Systems, Network Systems, and Information Security
Information Security Risk Management
Information Assurance
Data Structures
Ethical Hacking
Systems Analysis and Vulnerability Analysis
Cryptographic Techniques
How to deal with cyber-attacks, cyber-threats, and security risk
Security Architecture
Security Analysis
Network Security
Secure Network Design
Security Policies before and after Cyber Security Threats
Cyber Law and Cyber Crime
Technical Skills
Critical Thinking
Computer Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Digital Forensics
And More

Compare Popular Online Cybersecurity Programs

PROS

When you complete an online or traditional cyber security Master of Science, you will qualify for the best positions at the best companies and can easily find a job you love.
Completing graduate programs in any subject means you will most likely earn more than someone working the same job that only has a bachelor’s degree; with knowledge in information systems, computer systems, and network security, you will be able to counter any cyber security threat and earn much more.
Your Master of Science in Cyber Security will demonstrate that you are an expert in your field, with plenty of education and practical experience, and showcases your knowledge and skills when you apply for job openings.
Earning a master's degree expands your job options, as you will qualify for many more positions, such as information security analyst or even as chief security officers, as well as many more fields aside from cyber security.
Once you have your master’s degree from an accredited institution or university, you will qualify for the highest possible online certifications in the field as well.
A master's degree program also teaches leadership skills and you'll be qualified for positions in upper management or to launch your own consultation business.
Many companies have employee education programs that will reimburse you for college tuition, whether you attend online or not.

CONS

a master's degree takes time and, if you're working full-time, you may only be able to take one or two courses a semester, even if you attend online. After all, some online programs require synchronous attendance, which means you can't put the programs lectures off till whenever you have time on the weekend.
It may take quite a while to see a return on your educational investment.
Earning your master's degree doesn't mean the end of your education. Because cyber security is constantly evolving, you'll need to stay on top of new developments and earn new certifications as they arise.
The higher on the corporate ladder you climb, the more hours you'll probably work and it's easy to get burned out.
Higher positions mean more stress as the pressure to perform will rise.

Search Programs

Top 25 Best Online Masters in Cybersecurity Programs

Harvard University

Score: 88.55

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $54,032
- Out-of-State: $54,032
Net Price: $19,491
Acceptance Rate: 3%
Retention Rate: 98%

Graduation Rate: 98%
Total Enrollment: 30,631
Undergrad Students: 9,368
Graduate Students: 21,263
Grads Salary: $96,000
Student-to-faculty: 7:1

University of California-Berkeley

Score: 86.79

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,264
- Out-of-State: $27,366
Net Price: $19,257
Acceptance Rate: 11%
Retention Rate: 96%

Graduation Rate: 94%
Total Enrollment: 45,307
Undergrad Students: 32,479
Graduate Students: 12,828
Grads Salary: $97,000
Student-to-faculty: 19:1

Georgia Institute of Technology

Score: 86.37

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,064
- Out-of-State: $29,140
Net Price: $17,402
Acceptance Rate: 17%
Retention Rate: 98%

Graduation Rate: 93%
Total Enrollment: 45,296
Undergrad Students: 18,415
Graduate Students: 26,881
Grads Salary: $95,000
Student-to-faculty: 19:1

Johns Hopkins University

Score: 85.03

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $62,840
- Out-of-State: $62,840
Net Price: $24,034
Acceptance Rate: 7%
Retention Rate: 97%

Graduation Rate: 94%
Total Enrollment: 31,275
Undergrad Students: 6,044
Graduate Students: 25,231
Grads Salary: $94,000
Student-to-faculty: 6:1

University of Southern California

Score: 79.01

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $66,640
- Out-of-State: $66,640
Net Price: $36,808
Acceptance Rate: 12%
Retention Rate: 97%

Graduation Rate: 92%
Total Enrollment: 48,945
Undergrad Students: 20,699
Graduate Students: 28,246
Grads Salary: $92,000
Student-to-faculty: 9:1

Purdue University

Score: 78.91

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,718
- Out-of-State: $28,520
Net Price: $12,576
Acceptance Rate: 53%
Retention Rate: 90%

Graduation Rate: 83%
Total Enrollment: 51,528
Undergrad Students: 38,593
Graduate Students: 12,935
Grads Salary: $83,000
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

Georgetown University

Score: 78.59

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $58,848
- Out-of-State: $58,848
Net Price: $35,566
Acceptance Rate: 12%
Retention Rate: 97%

Graduation Rate: 96%
Total Enrollment: 20,984
Undergrad Students: 7,900
Graduate Students: 13,084
Grads Salary: $87,000
Student-to-faculty: 11:1

Boston University

Score: 78.41

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $63,798
- Out-of-State: $63,798
Net Price: $27,829
Acceptance Rate: 14%
Retention Rate: 94%

Graduation Rate: 89%
Total Enrollment: 36,714
Undergrad Students: 18,459
Graduate Students: 18,255
Grads Salary: $85,000
Student-to-faculty: 11:1

New York University

Score: 78.38

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $38,826
- Out-of-State: $38,826
Net Price: $29,499
Acceptance Rate: 12%
Retention Rate: 95%

Graduation Rate: 87%
Total Enrollment: 59,144
Undergrad Students: 29,401
Graduate Students: 29,743
Grads Salary: $87,000
Student-to-faculty: 8:1

Northeastern University

Score: 77.27

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $27,728
- Out-of-State: $27,728
Net Price: $35,827
Acceptance Rate: 7%
Retention Rate: 97%

Graduation Rate: 91%
Total Enrollment: 30,013
Undergrad Students: 16,302
Graduate Students: 13,711
Grads Salary: $87,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

Stevens Institute of Technology

Score: 77.24

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $41,380
- Out-of-State: $41,380
Net Price: $41,689
Acceptance Rate: 46%
Retention Rate: 93%

Graduation Rate: 88%
Total Enrollment: 9,314
Undergrad Students: 4,070
Graduate Students: 5,244
Grads Salary: $101,000
Student-to-faculty: 11:1

Virginia Tech

Score: 77.09

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,234
- Out-of-State: $30,702
Net Price: $19,301
Acceptance Rate: 57%
Retention Rate: 91%

Graduation Rate: 86%
Total Enrollment: 38,170
Undergrad Students: 30,434
Graduate Students: 7,736
Grads Salary: $83,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

Capitol Technology University

Score: 76.32

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,340
- Out-of-State: $11,340
Net Price: $25,445
Acceptance Rate: 64%
Retention Rate: 73%

Graduation Rate: 55%
Total Enrollment: 823
Undergrad Students: 301
Graduate Students: 522
Grads Salary: $114,000
Student-to-faculty: 9:1

New Jersey Institute of Technology

Score: 75.81

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $22,534
- Out-of-State: $33,318
Net Price: $17,762
Acceptance Rate: 66%
Retention Rate: 89%

Graduation Rate: 74%
Total Enrollment: 12,332
Undergrad Students: 9,019
Graduate Students: 3,313
Grads Salary: $88,000
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

University of Delaware

Score: 74.54

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $18,504
- Out-of-State: $18,504
Net Price: $18,044
Acceptance Rate: 74%
Retention Rate: 91%

Graduation Rate: 80%
Total Enrollment: 24,039
Undergrad Students: 19,482
Graduate Students: 4,557
Grads Salary: $81,000
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

Strayer University-Tennessee

Score: 74.33

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,940
- Out-of-State: $14,940
Net Price: $19,114
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 100%

Graduation Rate: 100%
Total Enrollment: 2,882
Undergrad Students: 2,598
Graduate Students: 284
Grads Salary: $72,000
Student-to-faculty: 41:1

University of South Florida

Score: 73.78

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,350
- Out-of-State: $19,048
Net Price: $11,004
Acceptance Rate: 44%
Retention Rate: 90%

Graduation Rate: 74%
Total Enrollment: 49,600
Undergrad Students: 38,047
Graduate Students: 11,553
Grads Salary: $73,000
Student-to-faculty: 22:1

Illinois Institute of Technology

Score: 73.29

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $32,500
- Out-of-State: $32,500
Net Price: $28,702
Acceptance Rate: 61%
Retention Rate: 85%

Graduation Rate: 75%
Total Enrollment: 6,943
Undergrad Students: 3,125
Graduate Students: 3,818
Grads Salary: $91,000
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

University of Detroit Mercy

Score: 72.51

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $22,250
- Out-of-State: $22,250
Net Price: $18,197
Acceptance Rate: 91%
Retention Rate: 85%

Graduation Rate: 73%
Total Enrollment: 5,360
Undergrad Students: 3,156
Graduate Students: 2,204
Grads Salary: $84,000
Student-to-faculty: 11:1

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Score: 72.18

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,200
- Out-of-State: $24,000
Net Price: $14,023
Acceptance Rate: 81%
Retention Rate: 86%

Graduation Rate: 62%
Total Enrollment: 7,080
Undergrad Students: 5,498
Graduate Students: 1,582
Grads Salary: $86,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

James Madison University

Score: 72.11

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,856
- Out-of-State: $29,304
Net Price: $18,274
Acceptance Rate: 78%
Retention Rate: 89%

Graduation Rate: 81%
Total Enrollment: 22,224
Undergrad Students: 20,346
Graduate Students: 1,878
Grads Salary: $75,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

Auburn University

Score: 72.05

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,692
- Out-of-State: $32,076
Net Price: $25,271
Acceptance Rate: 44%
Retention Rate: 93%

Graduation Rate: 81%
Total Enrollment: 31,764
Undergrad Students: 25,379
Graduate Students: 6,385
Grads Salary: $76,000
Student-to-faculty: 20:1

University of San Diego

Score: 71.58

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $28,854
- Out-of-State: $28,854
Net Price: $36,008
Acceptance Rate: 53%
Retention Rate: 90%

Graduation Rate: 83%
Total Enrollment: 8,815
Undergrad Students: 5,669
Graduate Students: 3,146
Grads Salary: $85,000
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

University of Massachusetts-Lowell

Score: 71.51

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,330
- Out-of-State: $27,706
Net Price: $17,240
Acceptance Rate: 86%
Retention Rate: 84%

Graduation Rate: 71%
Total Enrollment: 17,153
Undergrad Students: 12,389
Graduate Students: 4,764
Grads Salary: $82,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

Florida International University

Score: 71.18

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,119
- Out-of-State: $21,600
Net Price: $9,881
Acceptance Rate: 64%
Retention Rate: 91%

Graduation Rate: 69%
Total Enrollment: 55,609
Undergrad Students: 45,688
Graduate Students: 9,921
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 24:1

Overview of a Cyber Security Masters

What Cyber Security Master’s Degrees are Available online?

Cyber security falls within the science of computers and specifically their interconnectivity through online connection, and your degree will reflect that status. Because the field is relatively new, you'll find quite a variety of program titles and specialties to choose from. It's important to research two areas when choosing a school: whether all of your bachelor’s degree credits and certifications will be accepted for transfer, and the specialties and curriculum offered within each online or traditional program you're considering. Make sure the courses offered are in line with your long-term goals and network with experts in the field to verify the program is a respected base for your master’s degree. An online Master of Science or MA will look exactly the same as a traditional program on your resume, and online programs are becoming much more common in every field.

Here are some examples of degree titles you will find:

MS in Applied Information Technology: Concentration in Cyber Security
MS in Computer Engineering: Specialization in Network and System Security
MS in Data Analytics Engineering: Concentration in Digital Forensics
MS in Digital Forensics and Cyber Analysis
MS in Information Security and Assurance

Admission Requirements

Each university sets its own standards for admission and you'll find that, the more prestigious the school, the more stringent the admission requirements. For the most part, you'll need a bachelor's degree in cyber security or computer science, or at least a background in computer science with a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0. You'll also need to submit a personal statement of purpose, several letters of recommendation, and your GRE or other entrance exam scores. Additionally, online students will need to fulfill the same admission requirements for online programs as traditional students.

Depending on the program, or your choice of specialization, there may be prerequisite courses or certifications required as well. Check the admissions page of the school program you're considering for a full list of requirements for each program you're interested in. These could include courses in computer science, computer networks and network security, operating systems, secure computer systems, intelligence and information security, cyber defense education, or a variety of other subjects that will help you succeed in a traditional or online master's degree program.

How long does it take to earn an Online Master’s Degree in Cyber Security?

Your online master's degree will take approximately two years of full-time school. At most universities, it is a four-semester program, although you may find some accelerated programs that can be completed in a year and a half.

If they haven't earned their bachelor’s degree, prospective students might consider looking for a combination five-year program that combines the two degrees as a fast track to graduate degrees.

Many people enter the workforce with their bachelor’s degree and continue attending school part-time to earn their master's degree. One advantage to this path is that many employers have educational programs that will pay for or reimburse you for your graduate degree tuition.

Get Matched With Your Online Cybersecurity College

Potential Careers for MS Cyber Graduates

With an online master's degree you'll have a wide range of career choices within the field of cybersecurity and the more experience you gain, the more career choices you'll have. The following examples of careers also show the average salaries nationwide for each position.

Computer and Information Research Scientist:
A computer and information research scientist works behind the scenes to gather new information and data that relates to the field of cybersecurity. They may oversee the research of others, apply concepts to computer models, and share large-scale information with others in the field of cyber research.
The average pay for a computer and information research scientist is $115,700 per year.
Computer Network Architect:
The network architect is responsible for the design and review of network capabilities and requirements within an organization. They validate designs at the highest level and periodically report their progress to a department manager. Network architects are charged with verifying network settings and security requirements and may test for flaws and possible threats.
The average pay for a network architect is $121,800 per year.
Chief Information Security Officer (CISO):
The CISO is in charge of development, implementation, and maintenance of security processes within a company's network. It is a senior level executive role and the CISO must ensure that the technologies and assets of a company are safe from outside threats.
Their average annual salary is $165,000.
Information Security Crime Investigator/Forensics Expert:
As the title suggests, an information security crime investigator or forensics expert tries to identify the flaws within a system that allowed criminal activity to infiltrate a system. They may focus on theft by illegal download, copyright infractions within a corporation, or identity theft and similar personal computer crimes.
Their annual average salary is $74,100.

Options to Advance

As mentioned above, you will need to continue your education as new technology and other advances arise within the field of computers and cyber security. If you enjoy the research area of the field, you may decide to continue your cyber security education to earn a PhD; a Doctorate is not so advantageous if you plan to work in the field.

Your best chance for advancement after earning your online master's degree is to gain experience and certifications. With 5-10 years’ experience, you may qualify for the highest paid position in the field of cybersecurity: Lead Software Security Engineer. This position leads a team of cyber security experts to analyze and assess threats and identify weaknesses within a system. The lead software security engineer earns an average annual salary of $233,300, which is currently number one in the field of cyber security.

Best Online Masters in Cyber Security Degrees for 2024