AI and Cybersecurity Degrees

• Degree overview
• AI and cyber degree programs
• Core AI cybersecurity degree skills
• Career outlook
• Degree ROI
• FAQs

The future of cybersecurity is algorithmic.

The cybersecurity landscape is evolving rapidly. Threat actors now use AI to automate and scale attacks. Generative models can craft convincing phishing emails, reverse-engineer proprietary code, and even discover new zero-day exploits. As these threats evolve, security professionals must evolve with them.

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Featured Cyber-AI Programs

That’s why AI fluency is now the No. 1 skills gap in security teams, with 34 percent of hiring managers citing it as their top concern, outranking cloud and zero-trust expertise (ISC2). But the future isn’t bleak. 80 percent of cybersecurity professionals believe their skills will become more valuable in an AI-driven world, not obsolete.

For those looking to stay ahead or break into the field, a master’s degree focused on the intersection of AI and cybersecurity can be a game-changing investment.

What are AI and cybersecurity degrees?

Master’s degrees in AI and cybersecurity prepare professionals to operate at the forefront of digital defense, where machine learning meets threat detection. These programs are designed for early-career technologists, experienced professionals upskilling into new domains, and career switchers seeking to remain relevant in a rapidly transforming job market.

Why study AI and cybersecurity?

Unlike short-term boot camps or specialized certificates, master’s degrees offer a comprehensive and in-depth education. They blend technical AI expertise (like model development and adversarial ML) with the foundational principles of cybersecurity (like encryption, access control, and risk management). Graduates leave equipped not just to use AI tools but to understand, defend, and innovate with them.

AI and cybersecurity degree formats

Flexibility is built into most programs. While most (60 percent) of the programs we studied are still campus-based, online and hybrid options are growing in popularity. Whether you’re looking for intensive on-campus experiences or asynchronous online learning, there’s a format to match your needs. Nearly all programs list the GRE as optional or recommended, removing a common application barrier.

AI and cybersecurity master’s programs

Types of AI and cybersecurity degree programs:

Cybersecurity Focus (with AI Specialization)

1. DePaul University

   Chicago, Illinois

   
   Program: Master of Science Cybersecurity - Artificial Intelligence Engineering Concentration
   Delivery method: Online & Campus
   Total tuition: $47,184
   Cost per credit: $983
   Credits: 48
   Learn more: Program details

2. Florida International University

   Miami, Florida

   
   Program: MS in Computer Engineering Security (Online) – Focus on AI for Cyber & Cyber for AI
   Delivery method: Online
   Total tuition: $14,570 in-state | $32,590 out-of-state
   Cost per credit: $486 in-state | $1,086 out-of-state
   Credits: 30
   Learn more: Program details

3. Johns Hopkins University

   Baltimore, Maryland

   
   Program: Cybersecurity Master's (Cyber AI)
   Delivery method: Online
   Total tuition: $66,690
   Cost per credit: $2,223
   Credits: 30
   Learn more: Program details

4. Old Dominion University

   Norfolk, Virginia

   
   Program: Cybersecurity with a Concentration in AI Security (MS)
   Delivery method: Online & campus
   Total tuition: $14,580 in-state | $40,035 out-of-state
   Cost per credit: $486 in-state | $1,334.50 out-of-state
   Credits: 30
   Learn more: Program details

5. Webster University

   Webster Groves, Missouri

   
   Program: Cybersecurity with an Emphasis in AI (MS)
   Delivery method: Online & Campus
   Total tuition: $30,225
   Cost per credit: $775
   Credits: 39
   Learn more: Program details

Artificial Intelligence Focus (with Cybersecurity Specialization)

1. Carnegie Mellon University

   Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

   
   Program: Artificial Intelligence Engineering - Information Security
   Delivery method: Campus
   Total tuition: $86,130
   Cost per credit: $870
   Credits: 99
   Learn more: Program details

2. Dakota State University

   Madison, South Dakota

   
   Program: Artificial Intelligence, MS - Cybersecurity Specialization
   Delivery method: Online & Campus
   Total tuition: $11,537 in-state | $20,456 out-of-state
   Cost per credit: $384.55 in-state | $681.85 out-of-state
   Credits: 30
   Learn more: Program details

3. University of Bridgeport

   Bridgeport, Connecticut

   
   Program: Master’s in Artificial Intelligence (AI) - Cybersecurity Concentration
   Delivery method: Campus
   Total tuition: $28,220
   Cost per credit: $830
   Credits: 34
   Learn more: Program details

Hybrid degrees bridging AI and Cyber

1. Illinois Institute of Technology

   Chicago, Illinois

   
   Program: Cybersecurity (M.A.S.) - Artificial Intelligence Specialization
   Delivery method: Online & Campus
   Total tuition: $55,530
   Cost per credit: $1,851
   Credits: 30
   Learn more: Program details

2. Nova Southeastern University

   Fort Lauderdale, Florida

   
   Program: M.S. in Artificial Intelligence Cybersecurity
   Delivery method: Online & Campus
   Total tuition: $31,470
   Cost per credit: $1,049
   Credits: 30
   Learn more: Program details

Bachelor’s in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence

1. Arizona State University (ASU Online)

   Tempe, Arizona

   
   Program: B.S. Computer Science (AI + cybersecurity coursework)
   Credits: 120
   Cost per credit: $763
   Total tuition: $91,560
   Delivery method: Online
   Learn more: Program details

2. Dakota State University

   Madison, South Dakota

   
   Program: AI Cyber Minor
   CAE: CAE-CD, CAE-R, CAE-CO
   Credits: 21
   Cost per credit: $303 in-state | $409 out-of-state
   Total tuition: $6,363 in-state | $8,589 out-of-state
   Delivery method: Online & campus
   Learn more: Program details

3. Ferris State University

   Big Rapids, Michigan

   
   Program: Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence - Cybersecurity focus
   CAE: CAE-CD
   Credits: 120
   Cost per credit: $515 in-state | $853 out-of-state
   Total tuition: $61,800 in-state | $102,360 out-of-state
   Delivery method: Online & campus
   Learn more: Program details

4. Georgia Institute of Technology

   Atlanta, Georgia

   
   Program: CS Bachelor’s — Thread: Intelligence & Cybersecurity
   Credits: 126
   Cost per credit: $438 in-state | $1,400 out-of-state
   Total tuition: $55,188 in-state | $176,400 out-of-state
   Delivery method: Campus
   Learn more: Program details

5. Northwest Missouri State University

   Maryville, Missouri

   
   Program: B.S. in MIS – Cybersecurity (AI emphasis)
   CAE: CAE-CD
   Credits: 120
   Cost per credit: $291 in-state | $582 out-of-state
   Total tuition: $34,920 in-state | $69,840 out-of-state
   Delivery method: Online
   Learn more: Program details

6. Oakland University

   Rochester, Michigan

   
   Program: B.S. in Artificial Intelligence — Cybersecurity Concentration
   CAE: CAE-CD, CAE-R
   Credits: 128
   Cost per credit: $591
   Total tuition: $75,648
   Delivery method: Campus
   Learn more: Program details

7. Old Dominion University

   Norfolk, Virginia

   
   Program: B.S. in Artificial Intelligence for Cybersecurity
   CAE: CAE-CO, CAE-CD, CAE-R
   Credits: 120
   Cost per credit: $268 in-state | $954 out-of-state
   Total tuition: $32,160 in-state | $114,480 out-of-state
   Delivery method: Campus
   Learn more: Program details

8. Patrick Henry College

   Purcellville, Virginia

   
   Program: Cyber & Artificial Intelligence Track
   Credits: 102
   Cost per credit: $1,183
   Total tuition: $120,666
   Delivery method: Campus
   Learn more: Program details

9. Southern New Hampshire University

   Manchester, New Hampshire

   
   Program: Bachelor of Science (BS) in Cybersecurity with a concentration in Generative AI
   CAE: CAE-CD
   Credits: 120
   Cost per credit: $342
   Total tuition: $41,040
   Delivery method: Online
   Learn more: Program details

10. University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA)

    San Antonio, Texas

    
    Program: BS in Cybersecurity, AI & computing focus (College of AI, Cyber & Computing)
    CAE: CAE-CD, CAE-R
    Credits: 120
    Cost per credit: $382 in-state | $920 out-of-state
    Total tuition: $45,840 in-state | $110,400 out-of-state
    Delivery method: Online & campus
    Learn more: Program details

11. University of West Florida

    Pensacola, Florida

    
    Program: B.S. in Cybersecurity (AI specialization)
    CAE: CAE-CD
    Credits: 120
    Cost per credit: $212 in-state | $641 out-of-state
    Total tuition: $25,440 in-state | $76,920 out-of-state
    Delivery method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details

12. University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point

    Stevens Point, Wisconsin

    
    Program: B.S. in Artificial Intelligence (AI for Cybersecurity listed)
    CAE: CAE-CD
    Credits: 120
    Cost per credit: $323 in-state | $699 out-of-state
    Total tuition: $38,760 in-state | $83,880 out-of-state
    Delivery method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details

13. Western Governors University (WGU)

    Salt Lake City, Utah

    
    Program: B.S. Cybersecurity and Info Assurance
    CAE: CAE-CD
    Credits: 120
    Cost per credit: $154
    Total tuition: $18,480
    Delivery method: Online
    Learn more: Program details

AI and cybersecurity degree curriculum

Most master’s tracks include foundational coursework in:

• Network and application security
• Machine learning algorithms
• Cryptography and privacy engineering
• Secure software and MLOps pipelines
• Threat modeling and penetration testing

Many programs also offer specializations or electives in topics like natural language processing, ethical hacking, or AI policy.

Research and capstone work

Graduate students often engage in applied research, developing AI models that detect insider threats, analyze malware behavior, or predict system vulnerabilities. Capstone projects are commonly required and may involve real-world data from academic, government, or industry partners.

Core skills taught in AI and cybersecurity degrees

Across the academic programs reviewed, several core competencies consistently emerge:

ML fundamentals for defenders
Courses cover supervised/unsupervised learning, vector embeddings, and anomaly detection—applied in the context of cyber defense. You’ll learn how to evaluate models and identify when “smart” systems go dangerously wrong.

Secure ML engineering
Expect training in data pipeline hygiene, secure MLOps practices, model interpretability, and documentation standards, such as model cards. This is where DevSecOps meets AI.

Adversarial machine learning
Students explore how AI systems can be manipulated via evasion attacks, poisoning, or model inversion. Red-team labs and adversarial simulations bring theory into practice.

Automated threat hunting
Programs teach how to sift through massive telemetry datasets—leveraging LLM-assisted queries and predictive modeling to identify zero-days and policy violations faster than human analysts alone.

Governance, risk & compliance for AI
With global regulation evolving fast (NIST AI RMF, EU AI Act), you’ll study frameworks for bias mitigation, auditability, and accountability in algorithmic systems.

Soft skills and ethics
While tech chops matter, ISC2’s 2024 survey shows that communication, leadership, and ethical reasoning rank even higher for hiring managers. Many programs integrate courses in policy framing and responsible AI development.

Career outlook: Jobs for AI + cybersecurity professionals

Graduates of these programs are entering one of the most dynamic areas of the modern tech workforce. Here are a few roles and typical pay ranges:

*Salary ranges are national medians based on ZipRecruiter’s listings for “AI cyber security” roles.

Industry demand for AI and cybersecurity professionals

The AI-in-cyber market is booming. According to MarketsandMarkets, the market is projected to reach $60.6 billion by 2028, a 22 percent compound annual growth rate.

Employers are scrambling to keep pace. Nash Squared’s 2025 survey reports that AI skills shortages now outstrip even those in big data and core cybersecurity. In response, universities are launching new colleges and interdisciplinary centers with explicit AI + cyber missions:

• University of South Florida launched the Bellini Center for AI.
  
• San Jose State University hosts the Center for Advancing Intelligent Cybersecurity (CAIC).
  
• The University of Texas San Antonio has embedded AI defense into its nationally ranked cyber programs.
  

The talent pipeline is finally catching up.

Are AI and cybersecurity degrees worth it?

If you’re looking for a career at the intersection of two of the most disruptive forces in tech, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, there’s no better time to act. A master’s degree focused on these fields gives you the expertise to analyze threats, design defenses, and lead organizations through an era where algorithms increasingly dictate risk.

Universities are responding to the market with cutting-edge curricula, real-world projects, and delivery formats that work for professionals. Whether you’re advancing your current role or pivoting into tech, these programs offer a clear path to relevance and resilience in the age of AI.

AI and cybersecurity degree FAQs