Top affordable online cybersecurity master degree programs for 2020

There are many factors that influence choosing the right cybersecurity master’s program. Affordability is usually top on that list for many students.

That’s why we have compiled a new list that ranks top online cybersecurity master’s degree programs based on the overall projected cost of tuition.

But affordability should not come at the expense of getting the best possible career preparation possible. So in order to be included in our most affordable online cybersecurity master degree programs for 2020 rankings, each school has to also be designated a Center for Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (CAE-C).

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Feature Online Master's Programs

The CAE designation was created by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security in order to help cybersecurity programs at top education and research institutions prepare tomorrow’s cybersecurity experts. The program exists to help the United States maintain an edge in digital security and build a robust pipeline of cybersecurity professionals. Check out our full guide on the Centers for Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity to learn more.

The 2020 list for top affordable online cybersecurity master’s programs includes a blend of long-established cybersecurity programs. But the list also includes new, emerging programs offering innovative cybersecurity courses.

The online cybersecurity master’s degree programs included in this year’s affordability rankings also offer a range of opportunities for students and career preparation. With specialties ranging from increasing technical skills and ability to management and administration, there are plenty of options to fit a wide variety of career paths.

Top affordable online cybersecurity master’s programs for 2020

1. 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: This professional master’s degree program is housed in the Information and Technology Management Department at Illinois Tech. The curriculum is designed to prepare experienced information technology professionals to take the next career step. The program trains students to become cybersecurity practitioners and managers.
Learn more: Program website

2. UNIVERSITY OF WEST FLORIDA

Tuition: $12,750 — or $425/credit for the 30-credit degree
Program: Master of Science in Cybersecurity
CAE designation: CAE-CE — Cyber Defense
Location: Pensacola, Florida
GRE requirements: Waiver due to COVID-19
Details: The cybersecurity program at the University of West Florida is a CAE resource center for the southeast region. The university’s Master of Science in Cybersecurity program can be tailored to fit a number of different career paths, including data security, national security, security management/software, or systems security. The master’s program is defined by its hands-on capstone project and students get access to the university’s cyber-range in order to get real-world experience.
Learn more: Program website

3. AMERICAN PUBLIC UNIVERSITY SYSTEM

Tuition: $13,320 — or $370/credit for the 36-credit degree
Program: Online Master of Science in Cybersecurity Studies
CAE designation: CAE-CD — Cyber Defense
Location: Charles Town, West Virginia
GRE requirements: Not required
Details: Housed in the School of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math The American Public University System Online Master of Science in Cybersecurity Studies prepares students for a wide variety of cybersecurity careers. The program’s curriculum is designed around preventing and detecting cyber threats and attacks. Common career tracks include network security, information assurance, risk management, information security, cybercrime, and digital forensics.
Learn more: Program website

4. WILMINGTON UNIVERSITY

Tuition: $17,568 — or $488/credit for 36-credit degree
Program: Master of Science in Cybersecurity
CAE designation: CAE-CD — Cyber Defense
Location: Newcastle, Delaware
GRE requirements: Not required
Details: The Master of Science in Cybersecurity at Wilmington University has two specific concentrations. The cyber terrorism concentration prepares students in intelligence, risk assessment, and planning for homeland security. The supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) cybersecurity concentration is designed for students preparing for careers in industrial control settings.
Learn more: Program website

5. OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY

Tuition: $17,850 or $595/credit for the 30-credit degree
Program: Cybersecurity Master’s Degree Online
CAE Designation: CAE-CO — Cyber Operations
CAE Designation: CAE-CO — Cyber Operations
GRE requirements: Waiver due to COVID-19
Details: Students in Old Dominion’s cybersecurity master’s degree online have access to the tools and resources of the university’s Center for Cybersecurity Education and Research: Students in the program specialize in cyber defense and team management by taking courses in cyber policy and law, and specialized technical courses such as digital forensics.
Learn more: Program website

6. DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY

Tuition: $18,480 or $616.00/credit for the 30-credit degree
Program: Master of Science in Cyber Defense
CAE Designation: CAE-R — Cyber Research
Location: Madison, South Dakota
GRE requirements: Not required
Details: The Master of Cyber Defense program at Dakota State teaches students how to prevent and respond to cyber incidents. Focusing on both offensive and defensive security, the program teaches students about network attacks, risk management, vulnerability assessment, and cryptography.
Learn more: Program website

7. GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY

Tuition: $18,700 or $534/credit for the 34-credit degree
Program: Master’s in Cybersecurity
CAE Designation: CAE-CD — Cyber Defense
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
GRE requirements: Not required
Details: The Master’s of Cybersecurity at Grand Canyon University is part of the College of Science, Engineering, and Technology. The program teaches students about cyber warfare and cyber defense. Program courses usually last eight weeks and are offered in digital forensics, penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, and exploitation techniques.
Learn more: Program website

8. EXCELSIOR COLLEGE

Tuition: $19,350 or $645/credit for the 30-credit degree
Program: Master of Science in Cybersecurity
CAE designation: CAE-CD — Cyber Defense
Location: Albany, New York
GRE requirements: Not required
Details: The Master of Science in Cybersecurity at Excelsior College offers courses in data communication, ethics and ethical hacking, cyber legal and compliance issues. Technical courses cover issues such as software security and risk management best practices.
Learn more: Program website

9. SAINT LEO UNIVERSITY

Tuition: $20,520 or $570/credit for the 36-credit degree
Program: Master of Science in Cybersecurity
CAE designation: CAE-CD — Cyber Defense
Location: Saint Leo, Florida
GRE requirements: Not required
Description: The Master of Science in Cybersecurity program at Saint Leo University is designed around developing expertise in operating systems and networks. The curriculum covers a wide array of cybersecurity topics including information security, security protocols, operating system security, information processing security, cryptography, and more.
Learn more: Program website

10. 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
Description: The Master of Science in Cybersecurity program at Bellevue University trains students in digital protection techniques including detecting and protecting cyber attacks. The curriculum focuses on risk assessment, vulnerability analysis, and digital forensics. There is an accelerated cohort option available for professionals with IT or information security experience.
Learn more: Program website

11. PENNSYLVANIA STATE WORLD CAMPUS

Tuition: $22,186 or $924/credit for the 33-credit degree
Program: Master of Professional Studies in Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations
CAE designation: CAE-CD — Cyber Defense
Location: University Park, Pennsylvania
GRE requirements: Not required
Description: Offered by the College of Information Sciences and Technology the professional masters in cybersecurity trains students in cyber operations and cyber defense through a wide-ranging curriculum. Students will take courses in incident response, strategic planning, crisis management. Students also have the flexibility to take electives as part of the degree program.
Learn more: Program website

12. LIBERTY UNIVERSITY

Tuition: $22,504 or $625 for the 36-credit degree
Program: Master of Science in Cybersecurity
CAE designation: CAE-CD — Cyber Defense
Location: Lynchburg, Virginia
GRE requirements: Not required
Description: Students in Liberty University’s Master of Cybersecurity program can transfer up to 50 percent of their credits into the program. Courses are taught in eight-week intervals and feature topics such as digital forensics, applied cryptography, issues in security, privacy, anonymity, and ethical hacking. As part of the program, students complete a hands-on project ranging from research to developing new security software.
Learn more: Program website

13. CAPITOL TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY

Tuition: $22,680 or $630/credit for the 36-credit degree
Program: Master of Science in Cybersecurity
CAE designation: CAE-CD — Cyber Defense
Location: Laurel, Maryland
GRE requirements: Not required
Description: Capitol University’s Master in Cybersecurity program features hands-on labs in technical topics such as malware analysis, vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, and more.
Learn more: Program website

14. FLORIDA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Tuition: $23,310 or $777/credit for the 30-credit degree
Program: Information Assurance and Cybersecurity, M.S.
CAE designation: CAE-R — research
Location: Melbourne, Florida
GRE requirements: Required
Description: The information assurance and cybersecurity master’s program at Florida Tech focuses on security fundamentals. Course topics include threat and vulnerability assessment, attack models and forensics, communication networks and encryption, and data mining and machine learning.
Learn more: Program website

15. COLORADO TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY

Tuition: $23,520 or $490/credit for the 48-credit degree
Program: Master of Science in Computer Science — Cybersecurity Engineering
CAE designation: CAE-CD — Cyber Defense
Location: Colorado Springs
GRE requirements: Not required
Description: The Master of Science in Computer Science — Cybersecurity Engineering degree at Colorado Tech allows students to take courses from a core curriculum and then also take courses in a concentration. Core curriculum courses include topics such as networking security, operating systems security, and database security to name a few. Students will also complete a large research or hands-on project as a capstone. Concentration areas include digital forensics, security management, and software information assurance.
Learn more: Program website

16. UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA IN HUNTSVILLE

Tuition: $24,430 or $814/credit for the 30-credit degree
Program: Master of Science in Cybersecurity Management
CAE designation: CAE-R — Cyber Research
Location: Huntsville, Alabama
GRE requirements: Waiver due to COVID-19
Description: The Master of Science in Cybersecurity Management at the University of Alabama in Huntsville is the business school. The degree is broken into three main parts including core curriculum with courses such as cybersecurity principles and computer and digital forensics. Students are also required to complete nine credit hours of management courses with offerings such as cybersecurity management and business contingency planning. The elective component of the degree program focuses on specific issues of technical skills such as business analytics and AI, or network security.
Learn more: Program website

17. WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY

Tuition: $24,600 or $820/credit for the 30-credit degree
Program: Business Cybersecurity Management, M.S.
CAE designation: CAE-R — Cybersecurity Research
Location: Morgantown, West Virginia
GRE requirements: Waiver due to COVID-19
Description: The Master of Science in Business Cybersecurity Management is housed in the John Chambers College of Business and Economics at West Virginia University. The program’s focus is to prepare the next generation of cybersecurity management and leaders to make critical decisions. Potential career tracks include security analyst, information security manager, and security administrator.
Learn more: Program website

18. UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND GLOBAL CAMPUS

Tuition: $24,984 or $694/credit for the 36-credit degree
Program: Online Master’s Degree: Cybertechnology
CAE designation: CAE-CD — Cyber Defense
Location: Adelphi, Maryland
GRE requirements: Not required
Description: The Online Master’s Degree: Cybertechnology from the University of Maryland Global Campus prepares students in both the technical understanding of cybersecurity fundamentals, as well as prepares them for leadership positions within the field. Courses are offered in topics such as digital strategy, cybersecurity technology leadership, analytics, and intelligence — as well as in technical topics such as ethical hacking and digital forensics.
Learn more: Program website