Cybersecurity Guide

Learn about the latest cybersecurity degree options in Maine

Written by Cybersecurity Guide Contributors – Expert reviewed by Dr. Fred Strickland – Last updated:
In this guide

Students exploring cybersecurity degree options in Maine can find a variety of academic pathways connected to employer demand in finance, defense contracting, insurance, and healthcare.

This page concentrates on degree and school options and mentions institutions only when they offer distinctive workforce partnerships, research activity, or specialized training initiatives.

How we keep this page current

Content is reviewed using program verification and labor market data from CyberSeek, wage and employment estimates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, and Maine labor market tools from the Maine Department of Labor’s Center for Workforce Research and Information (CWRI).

We also verify statewide cybersecurity governance resources through Maine’s Office of Information Technology (MaineIT). Institution-specific information is confirmed through official university initiative and research center pages, and time-sensitive details are routinely rechecked and removed when no longer current.

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Featured Cybersecurity Degree Programs

School NameProgram More Info
Southern New Hampshire UniversityOnline BS in Cybersecurity or Online MS in Cybersecurity website
Syracuse UniversityOnline MS in Cybersecurity | Complete in 15 Months website
Grand Canyon UniversityOnline BS in Cybersecurity or Online MS in Cybersecurity website
Purdue GlobalOnline BS in Cybersecurity website
UC Berkeley School of InformationMaster’s in Cybersecurity | No GRE/GMAT Required website

Cybersecurity workforce demand in Maine

Cybersecurity demand is usually described using online job postings (short-term employer demand), employment estimates (current workforce size), and projections/openings (expected longer-term needs). Each metric answers a different question.

  • CyberSeek demand context: CyberSeek’s heat map provides Maine-level views for cybersecurity job openings and related supply/demand signals by state and metro area.
  • State-level openings/projections context: Maine CWRI’s “High-Wage, In-Demand Jobs” dashboard includes Information Security Analysts and defines “High Demand” as occupations expected to have at least 20 openings per year between 2022 and 2032.
  • BLS employment and wages (Maine): BLS OEWS estimates 270 Information Security Analysts employed in Maine with an annual mean wage of $96,060.
  • Another cyber-adjacent occupation (Maine): BLS OEWS estimates 470 Computer Network Architects employed in Maine with an annual mean wage of $107,630.

What these metrics do (and do not) mean: Job postings reflect recruiting activity and can change quickly. Employment and wage estimates reflect current staffing levels, not vacancies. “Openings” in projection tools mix growth and replacement needs and should be treated as planning guidance rather than a guarantee.

Related resources

Cybersecurity degree pathways in Maine

Associate degrees

Associate programs are often the fastest way to build core IT and security fundamentals and can be a strong starting point when paired with a clear transfer plan. When evaluating options, prioritize:

  • articulation/transfer pathways into bachelor’s programs
  • lab-based networking and systems coursework
  • security monitoring/logging fundamentals

  1. Central Maine Community College

    Auburn, Maine
    Program: Associate in Applied Science in Cybersecurity-Digital Forensics
    Credits: 60-61
    Cost per credit: $96 in state | $384 out of state
    Delivery Method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details

  2. Southern Maine Community College

    South Portland, Maine
    Program: Associate Degree in Cyber Security
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Credits: 60
    Cost per credit: $96 in state | $192 out of state
    Delivery Method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details

Bachelor’s degrees

Bachelor’s programs are the most common pathway into analyst, engineering, and security operations roles. In Maine, prioritize programs that document hands-on environments and workforce engagement (ranges, centers, applied practicums).

Distinctive initiatives worth noting:

  • University of Maine at Augusta (UMA) – Maine Cyber Range: UMA operates the Maine Cyber Range as an immersive training and simulation center for education and workforce development.
  • University of Maine System (UMS) – Maine Cybersecurity Center (MCC): UMS established the Maine Cybersecurity Center as a systemwide focal point for cyber education resources and support across UMS institutions.

What to look for (regardless of degree title): sustained lab access, applied projects, internship/co-op pipelines, and curriculum aligned to recognized workforce frameworks (e.g., NICE/NIST).

  1. Thomas College

    Waterville, Maine
    Program: Bachelor of Science in Security & Cyber Defense
    Credits: 121
    Cost per credit: $1,972
    Delivery Method: Campus, Online
    Learn more: Program details

  2. University of Southern Maine

    Portland, Maine
    Program: Bachelor of Science in Cyber Security
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Credits: 120
    Cost per credit: $288 in-state | $810 out-of-state
    Delivery Method: Campus, Online
    Learn more: Program details

  3. University of Maine at Augusta

    Augusta, Maine
    Program: Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Credits: 121
    Cost per credit: $245 in state | $625 out of state
    Delivery Method: Campus, Online
    Learn more: Program details

Master’s degrees

Master’s pathways can be a good fit for students targeting security leadership, architecture, or specialized technical depth. In Maine, students should prioritize graduate options that provide documented access to applied labs, research groups, or partner-driven projects (and verify those features on official program pages).

  1. University of Southern Maine

    Portland, Maine
    Program: Master’s in Cybersecurity
    Credits: 30
    Cost per credit: $447
    Delivery Method: Online
    GRE/GMAT Required: Not Required
    Learn more: Program details

Certifications and workforce programs

Many Maine programs integrate certification preparation into degree coursework rather than running standalone “cert tracks.” For short-term options, prioritize:

  • alignment to NICE/NIST role categories (when explicitly documented by the provider)
  • documented hands-on lab environments (virtual or in-person)
  • measurable skill outcomes (projects, practicums, range exercises)

  1. Central Maine Community College

    Auburn, Maine
    Program: Network Security Advanced Certificate (CNS)
    Credits: 18
    Cost per credit: $160 in-state | $320 out of state
    Delivery Method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details

  2. University of Maine at Augusta

    Augusta, Maine
    Program: Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Credits: 15
    Cost per credit: $445 in-state | $587 out of state
    Delivery Method: Hybrid, Online
    Learn more: Program details

Scholarship for Service

The federal CyberCorps® Scholarship for Service (SFS) program funds cybersecurity education in exchange for government service after graduation. As of this review, Maine does not appear as a state heading with listed participating institutions in the official participating-institutions directory; students should confirm the current status directly in the official directory because participation can change.

Unique Maine cybersecurity initiatives

State cybersecurity services and governance support

MaineIT provides statewide security and risk management services for state IT operations, including a dedicated security service catalog and contact pathways.

Systemwide cyber education coordination

The University of Maine System’s Maine Cybersecurity Center is positioned as a systemwide cyber education focal point supporting curriculum and practice across UMS institutions.

Hands-on simulation training infrastructure

The Maine Cyber Range is a distinctive statewide training asset focused on simulation-based learning for students and professionals.

Frequently asked questions about cybersecurity degrees in Maine

How many cybersecurity jobs are in Maine?

For a core cybersecurity occupation, BLS estimates 270 Information Security Analysts employed in Maine. CyberSeek provides additional Maine-level demand indicators based on online postings.

What is the average cybersecurity salary in Maine?

BLS reports an annual mean wage of $96,060 for Information Security Analysts in Maine.

What is the best cybersecurity degree in Maine?

The best-fit program is typically the one that provides hands-on lab/range access and documented workforce engagement (internships, applied projects), not the one with the “best” title. Maine’s cyber-range infrastructure is one example of a distinctive hands-on asset.

Are there online cybersecurity programs in Maine?

Online and hybrid options exist, but students should verify how labs are delivered (virtual labs, remote range access, or in-person intensives) using official program pages.

Does Maine have cybersecurity bootcamps or short-term training?

Maine has workforce-focused training resources, including range-based simulation training that can support short-term upskilling.

What certifications are most requested in Maine?

CyberSeek summarizes top certifications requested in job postings and provides state/metro views for cybersecurity demand.

Is cybersecurity in demand in Maine?

Yes. CyberSeek shows ongoing cybersecurity hiring activity through postings-based demand signals, and Maine CWRI includes Information Security Analysts on its in-demand dashboard (defined as at least 20 openings per year in the 2022–2032 outlook window).

Can I start with an associate degree?

Yes. An associate degree can be a strong starting point when it includes hands-on labs and a clear transfer path into a bachelor’s cybersecurity or computing program.

How long does a cybersecurity degree take?

Associate: ~2 years
Bachelor’s: ~4 years
Master’s: ~1–2 years (depending on background and format)

Does Maine participate in Scholarship for Service?

Participation changes over time. Check the official directory for the most current list of participating institutions.

What industries in Maine hire cybersecurity graduates?

CyberSeek’s Maine state/metro views provide postings-based evidence of which sectors and employers are hiring for cybersecurity-related roles.

Are there entry-level cybersecurity roles in Maine?

Entry-level roles often cluster around security operations and IT security support. Programs that include structured hands-on simulation environments can help candidates build job-relevant experience before graduation.

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