Top affordable campus-based cybersecurity master’s degrees for 2020

Finding a cybersecurity master’s degree that maps well to your professional goals can be difficult. Finding one that offers good value — the right combination of academic rigor, career preparation, and financial feasibility is even more challenging.

That’s why we created these new rankings that take into account value to come up with a list of the top affordable campus-based cybersecurity master’s programs.

Looking for a list of the most affordable online cybersecurity master’s degrees? We have that too. LEARN MORE

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In order to make the cut for our affordability rankings, each school also has to be designated a Center for Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (CAE-C). We believe this is the best way to ensure that value does not come at the cost of academic rigor — and that each of these programs will deliver the kind of career preparation required in today’s industry.

Learn more about the CAE designation, and the reason why the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security are both putting an emphasis on building a robust cybersecurity educational pipeline by checking our full guide on the Centers for Academic Excellence. 

The 2020 list for top affordable campus-based cybersecurity master’s programs includes a wide range of programs. Some are focused on the more technical elements of the profession, while others focus more on national security policy, or strategy and leadership.

One thing that all of these master’s programs have in common is that they are designed to provide a comprehensive cybersecurity education while delivering a great value.

Top affordable campus-based cybersecurity master’s programs for 2020

1. GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Tuition: $10,000 — or $312.50/credit for the 32-credit degree
Program: Master of Science in Cybersecurity
CAE designation: CAE-R — Cyber Research
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
GRE requirements: Not required
Details: Georgia Tech offers three different tracks under their master of cybersecurity degree program. Reflecting the multidisciplinary nature of cybersecurity, students can specialize in energy systems security, cybersecurity and public policy, and information security. The energy security track is offered at Georgia Tech’s college of engineering and covers smart grids, power system protection, and cyber-physical system security. Students studying policy do so through the school of public policy and learn about the challenges of terrorism and cybersecurity, privacy and technology issues, and internet and public policy. Finally, students following the information security track study at the college of computing and study topics such as network security, applied cryptography, and secure computer systems.
Learn more: Program details

2. ILLINOIS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Tuition: $12,000 — or $400/credit for the 30-credit degree
Program: Master of Cyber Forensics and Security
CAE designation: CAE-CD — Cyber Defense
Location: Chicago, Illinois
GRE requirements: Waiver due to COVID-19
Details: The Master of Cyber Forensics and Security program at Illinois Tech is designed to help information technology and cybersecurity professionals become experts in the field of forensics and digital investigations. The cross-disciplinary program prepares students for careers as practitioners, investigators, and managers.
Learn more: Program details

3. FLORIDA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Tuition: $14,982 — or $1,241/credit for the 12-credit degree
Program: Master of Science in Information Assurance and Cybersecurity
CAE designation: CAE-R — Cyber Research
Location: Melbourne, Florida
GRE requirements: Required
Details: The master’s in information assurance and cybersecurity at Florida Tech is designed to prepare students for security leadership roles in companies and institutions and focuses on intellectual and property rights, security infrastructure, and securing sensitive data such as personal information.
Learn more: Program details

4. ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY

Tuition: $15,000 — or $500/credit for the 30-credit degree
Program: Master of Science in Computer Science with a concentration in cybersecurity
CAE designation: CAE-R — Cyber Research, and CAE-CD — Cyber Defense
Location: Tempe, Arizona
GRE requirements: Required
Details: Offered by the School of Computing, Informatics, and Decision System Engineering at ASU, this master’s degree is heavily focused on the computer science elements of cybersecurity. The curriculum includes a focus on network security, software security, data and information security, applied cryptography, and computer forensics.
Learn more: Program details

5. MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY

Tuition: $15,519 — or $489/credit for the 31-credit degree
Program: Master of Science in Cybersecurity and Operations
CAE designation: CAE-R — Cyber Research, and CAE-CD — Cyber Defense
Location: Mississippi State, Mississippi
GRE requirements: Required
Details: The cybersecurity master’s program at Mississippi State is customizable to allow students to pursue their interests within the established academic framework. The cybersecurity and operations degree program’s core curriculum consists of courses in information security, cryptography, and network security. In addition to the core curriculum, students can also elect to concentrate in cyber operations or cyber defense. The degree program contains both a thesis and a non-thesis option. The thesis gives students the chance to tackle a large hands-on research project.
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6. UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON

Tuition: $19,808 or $495/credit for the 40-credit degree
Program: Master of Cybersecurity and Leadership
CAE designation: CAE-R — Cyber Research
Location: Tacoma, Washington
GRE requirements: Waiver for COVID-19
Details: The Master of Cybersecurity and Leadership at the University of Washington is designed for experienced professionals and military personnel with technical information technology or cybersecurity backgrounds. The degree gives students the tools needed to assume roles of responsibility and leadership in the growing cybersecurity industry as well as serves as a catalyst to inspired more innovation in the field.
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7. SAINT LEO UNIVERSITY

Tuition: $20,520 or $570/credit for the 36-credit degree
Program: Master of Cybersecurity
CAE designation: CAE-CD — Cyber Defense
Location: Saint Leo, Florida
GRE requirements: Not required
Details: The Master of Cybersecurity at Saint Leo’s University prepares students in advanced industry topics such as computer and network security, digital forensics, cryptography, web security, biometrics, and compliance issues. Students in the program also have the opportunity for advanced research in cybersecurity topics.
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8. BELLEVUE UNIVERSITY

Tuition: $21,420 or $595/credit for the 36-credit degree
Program: Master of Science in Cybersecurity
CAE designation: CAE-CD — Cyber Defense
Location: Bellevue, Nebraska
GRE requirements: Not required
Details: The Master of Science in Cybersecurity program at Bellevue University is designed to help mid-career cybersecurity and information technology professionals accelerate their professional lives by offering courses in network and digital systems protection, cyberattacks and countermeasures, risk management, business planning in the event of cyberattacks or uncertainty, and digital forensics.
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9. CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY SAN BERNARDINO

Tuition: $21,528 or $598/credit for the 36-credit degree
Program: Master of Science in National Cyber Security Studies
CAE designation: CAE-CD — Cyber Defense
Location: San Bernardino, California
GRE requirements: Waiver due to COVID-19
Details: The Master of Science in National Cyber Security Studies at CSUSB provides training and background for students looking to advance a career in cybersecurity and intelligence analysis. The program is designed for students that already have a background in defense, military operations, civil service, or intelligence. Courses include government studies, national security policy, strategy, international relations, cybersecurity, and cyber warfare.
Learn more: Program details

10. CLEMSON UNIVERSITY

Tuition: $22,050 or $735/credit for the 30-credit degree
Program: Master of Science in Computer Engineering — Cybersecurity
CAE designation: CAE-R — Cyber Research, and CAE-CD — Cyber Defense
Location: Charleston, South Carolina
GRE requirements: Required
Details: The Master of Science in Computer Engineering with a focus in cybersecurity at Clemson’s Charleston campus is designed to give students with an electrical engineering and computer science degree extra training in topics related to cybersecurity. Coursework includes communication systems and networks, digital signal processing, computer system architecture, and intelligent systems. Students can customize the degree to their interests by choosing a research-orient track, a professional focus track, or coursework only.
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11. COLUMBUS STATE UNIVERSITY

Tuition: $24,030 or $801.00 for the 30-credit degree
Program: Master of Science in Cybersecurity Management
CAE designation: CAE-CD — Cyber Defense
Location: Columbus, Georgia
GRE requirements: Required
Details: The Cybersecurity Management program at Columbus State is designed for students interested in leadership and management positions in the cybersecurity field. In addition to the core curriculum, which includes courses such as network and cloud management, risk management, and cybersecurity policy and management, students can also take program concentration courses. These courses are divided into technical and non-technical buckets and include topics such as organizational behavior and leadership, and strategic leadership and change management.
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12. WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY

Tuition: $24,286 or $809/credit for the 30-credit degree
Program: Master of Science in Cyber Security
CAE designation: CAE-CD — Cyber Defense
Location: Celina, Ohio
GRE requirements: Waiver due to COVID-19
Details: The Master of Science in Cyber Security at Wright State makes use of the university’s Virtual Cyber Security Lab. The hands-on experience allows students to experiment and learn the latest cybersecurity technologies and best-practices. Additionally, students in the master’s program can elect to take a specific program of study within the cyberdefense concentration. Required courses include: host security, security computing practices, security attacks and defenses, legal aspects of cybersecurity, cyber network security, and information security.
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13. FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON UNIVERSITY

Tuition: $25,500 or $850/credit for the 30-credit degree
Program: Master of Science in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance
CAE designation: CAE-CD — Cyber Defense
Location: Teaneck, New Jersey
GRE requirements: Waiver due to COVID-19
Details: The Master of Science in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance at Fairleigh Dickinson University is designed to teach students to establish information security protocols, build and defend firewalls, use encryption, create business continuity plans in the event of a cyber incident, conduct penetration and vulnerability tests, and resolve cyberdefense related issues. As part of the curriculum, students are given the opportunity to complete hands-on research or participate in an industry internship.
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14. NATIONAL UNIVERSITY

Tuition: $25,857 or $442/credit for the 58.5-credit degree
Program: Master of Science in Cybersecurity
CAE designation: CAE-CD — Cyber Defense
Location: San Diego, California
GRE requirements: Not required
Details: Students in the Master of Science in Cybersecurity program at National University take a core curriculum and then choose a speciality in either ethical hacking and penetration testing or information assurance and security policy. The core requirements include both technical courses and training in ethics. Part of the core curriculum is also project-based, allowing for hands-on training.
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15. ECPI UNIVERSITY

Tuition: $27,060 or $751/credit for the 36-credit degree
Program: Master of Science in Cybersecurity
CAE designation: CAE-CD — Cyber Defense
Location: various locations
GRE requirements: Waiver due to COVID-19
Details: The Master of Science in Cybersecurity at ECPI is designed to prepare students for leadership positions in the cybersecurity field. The degree program combines both cybersecurity theory with applied exercises. Within the master’s program there are two tracks to choose from: Cyber Operations (which covers the development and defense of cybersecurity infrastructure) and Cybersecurity Policy (which covers the emerging best practices for cybersecurity policy and strategy).
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16. WEBSTER UNIVERSITY

Tuition: $28,080 or $780/credit for the 36-credit degree
Program: Master of Science in Cybersecurity
CAE designation: CAE-CD — Cyber Defense
Location: various locations
GRE requirements: Not Required
Details: The Master of Science in Cybersecurity at Webster University is offered through the George Herbert Walker School of Business and Technology. The program includes a core curriculum, which includes courses such as cybersecurity communications, strategic operations, and encryption techniques. Students can then customize their degree through a wide-range of elective courses, which round out the degree requirements. Additionally, the cybersecurity master’s degree can be combined in a dual-degree program with an MA in National Security Studies.
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17. MERCY COLLEGE

Tuition: $28,440 or $948/credit for the 30 credit degree
Program: Master of Science in Cybersecurity
CAE designation: CAE-CD — Cyber Defense
Location: Dobbs Ferry, Bronx, and Manhattan
GRE requirements: Not Required
Details: The Master of Science in Cybersecurity at Mercy College prepares students for leadership roles in a wide range of private and public sector companies and institutions. The degree can be completed as part of a five-year BS/MS program, or as a standalone 18-month MS. The program is divided into categories including a core curriculum, a network component, application component, legal/management component, and electives. Students will also complete a hands-on capstone project.
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18. ROBERT MORRIS UNIVERSITY

Tuition: $28,800 or $960/credit for the 30-credit degree
Program: Cybersecurity and Information Assurance Master of Science
CAE designation: CAE-CD — Cyber Defense
Location: Moon Township, Pennsylvania
GRE requirements: Waiver due to COVID-19
Details: The Cybersecurity and Information Assurance Master of Science is offered through RMU’s School of Informatics, Humanities, and Social Sciences. The 30-credit degree program can be taken in either a 3-semester format or a 4-semester format.
Learn more: Program details