If you love to work on the computer and have a skill for tracking down hackers or getting complicated systems set up to prepare against infiltration, then you may enjoy a career in cyber security. A master’s in cyber security prepares you with the technical expertise needed to detect and manage cybersecurity threats.
Why Choose a Masters in Cyber Security?
A cyber security degree is an in-demand job that offers well-paid roles. You can work as an information security analyst or in another computer science job with this master’s degree.
Getting a Masters in Cyber Security
Cybersecurity roles are expected to continue growing over time. In fact, up to 412,793 new cybersecurity jobs are expected to develop before 2024. This profession also has a median pay of around $77,799, which is a great starting rate. That’s just for the bachelor’s degree, so with a master’s degree, you’ll have more room for negotiation.
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California – Berkeley | Berkeley, California |
| 2 | Mississippi College | Clinton, Mississippi |
| 3 | University of the Cumberlands | Williamsburg, Kentucky |
| 4 | Maryville University | St. Louis, Missouri |
| 5 | University of Charleston | Charleston, West Virginia |
Top 15 Schools for a Masters in Cyber Security
We have selected 15 of the best schools for a masters in cyber security, so you can get the networking, security and virtual skills needed to become a qualified cyber security professional in a career that you love.
University of California – Berkeley
At the University of California, Berkeley, an online Master of Information and Cybersecurity is available. It’s a part-time program available to students who will attend synchronous sessions with classmates and their instructors. There are some asynchronous assignments as well. The school, beneficially, has the staff on campus, and students may come there as needed.
School Overview
Mississippi College
Mississippi College offers a Master of Cybersecurity & Information Assurance. The program is made up of 10 courses that can be completed in just five semesters
School Overview
University of the Cumberlands
The University of the Cumberlands offers a Master’s in Cyber-Engineering and Digital Forensics, Information Technology and Information Systems Security. Each of these degrees offers training for the field. It also offers an online Master’s in Information Systems Security.
School Overview
Maryville University
At Maryville University, the Master of Science in Cyber Security is available in just 30-31 credit hours. The coursework is available online or through a one-year full-time format. The programs at the school are accredited through the Higher Learning Commission.
School Overview
University of Charleston
The University of Charleston offers a Master of Science in Cybersecurity that is available to anyone with a 2.0 or higher cumulative college GPA. The program is available on campus, and it is designed to prepare students for work in roles like those of the chief security officer, security planning, or cyber operations planning.
School Overview
Eastern Illinois University
At Eastern Illinois University, the majority of the Master of Cyber Security is available online, though some classes are in person. Two residencies are required during the master’s program to help prepare students with the hands-on skills they need.
School Overview
University of Southern California
The Master of Science Cyber Security Engineering is a degree that focuses on developing, engineering and operating security information systems. Students in this program complete programs that prepare them to work with homeland security, as computer engineers or as software developers, to name a few potential job options.
School Overview
New York University
The M.S. in Cybersecurity at New York University is available online, on-campus or in a blended format. The program is formatted to work around the schedule of working professionals or as a continuation of the undergraduate degree.
School Overview
Stevenson University
At Stevenson University, students have the option of joining the Bachelor’s to Master’s Option, which allows them to earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in cybersecurity simultaneously. Students take the online master’s program starting their junior and senior years.
School Overview
Liberty University
Liberty University is a leading Christian university and offers both bachelor’s and master’s programs in cybersecurity. The Master’s Degree in Cyber Security teaches digital forensics, cryptography, ethical hacking and other important skills.
School Overview
University of Dallas
The University of Dallas offers a Master of Science in Cybersecurity. This program is hosted by the Gupta College of Business and offers a real-world cybersecurity education to students. The program focuses on content such as data protection, penetration testing, digital forensics and legal and compliance issues.
School Overview
University of Delaware
In just 30 credit hours, students at the University of Delaware can receive the Master’s of Cybersecurity. This curriculum has both a thesis and non-thesis option. Concentrations are in areas such as security management, security analytics, secure systems and secure software.
School Overview
University of San Diego
The Master of Science in Cyber Security Operations and Leadership is a popular degree at the University of San Diego. The degree is designed for bachelor-prepared students who are already working in the field of cybersecurity or for those who would like to do so in the future. The program takes as few as 20 months to complete.
School Overview
University of Arizona
Designed for working professionals, the Master’s Degree in Cybersecurity at the University of Arizona is available completely online when necessary. It is also offered through the Eller College of Management at the University of Arizona. On average, there is a 2-to-1 student-to-staff ratio, making for better mentorship.
School Overview
Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University offers a Cybersecurity Master’s Degree for students who meet the requirements set by the Johns Hopkins Engineering Department, such as a term of advanced math and a term of Java and computer organization. The master’s degree has focus areas such as analysis, systems, networks and assured autonomy.
School Overview
Cybersecurity Expert Q&A
Best Value Schools reached out to Diane Walser, Instructor and Assistant professor within the Cybersecurity program at Bellevue College, Washington, to provide expert commentary on the cybersecurity industry and advice for prospective students.
What are some of the burgeoning areas of the field?
Cybersecurity is very diverse as every system needs to be secured. Students have the options to choose which area interests them the most. Some example areas in which our students find employment include systems security, network security, cloud security, penetration testing, and data security.
What advice do you give to aspiring cyber security students?
Work in the field as soon as possible, preferably while in school. This is a great way to enrich the educational experience and provide direction into which focus area is most appealing for the individual.
What personal qualities or academic strengths make someone a good fit for cyber security?
Anyone can be successful at cybersecurity as long as they are willing to foster their curiosity and love of learning. The field does change rapidly. Even someone who is not highly technical can find a place managing cybersecurity policy and technically minded people have a wide range of technological focus areas in which to specialize.
What do students find most challenging about cyber security?
Students tend to be most challenged by the amount of project management required for working through cybersecurity problems or solutions. Cybersecurity impacts entire systems. Any changes to one part of the system can have a cascading effect on other areas. Those potential implications need to be accounted and planned for.
Are there any common misconceptions about the field of cyber security?
Students often come in with the misconception that cybersecurity is a technical field that stands on its own. In fact, it is a layer of specialty on top of all other IT Fields and business processes.
Ranking Specifications
This article bases the schools’ rankings on their overall in-state tuition for graduates completing a cyber security masters as well as the credit hours required to complete the program. Schools with fewer credit hours and lower tuition rates were ranked higher based on a combination of scores. These numbers have been represented as accurately as possible, but note that they are subject to change and are not guaranteed.
Want to Know More about Your School’s Ranking?
We work hard to produce accurate content. If your school is listed here and information is wrong or missing, please reach out. We would love to talk to you about adjusting this article or ranking your school if we have not done so.
