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Master’s in Cybersecurity Online From UC Berkeley

Earn a Master’s in Cybersecurity Online in Just 20 Months

The UC Berkeley School of Information’s online Master of Information and Cybersecurity prepares students to become leaders in cybersecurity. No GRE/GMAT required.

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GRE Required No
Part Time Yes
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Hawai‘i Pacific University MS in Cybersecurity

Certification prep available

The online MS in Cybersecurity program from Hawai‘i Pacific University prepares students to defend their organization from data breaches, strengthen their résumé by taking key certification exams, and advance their career as responsible leaders in cybersecurity.

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1. Marshall University

1. Marshall University

Huntington, WV

Marshall University's online master's in cybersecurity program accepts test scores, but they are not required other than proof of English proficiency for international students. No letters of recommendation are required but up to two is allowed and it is highly encouraged. Tuition per year costs about $9,160 for out-of-state students, and the deadline to apply for fall 2024 admission is August 1. Four years after graduating, individuals earn about $90,000 in median base salary.

Acceptance rate, 2023-2422%
Average undergraduate GPA, 2023-24 enrollees3.85
Graduation rate90%
Number of applicants in 2023-24113
One-year retention rate100%
Size of 2022-2023 graduating class5
2. University of California--Berkeley

2. University of California--Berkeley

Berkeley, CA

University of California–Berkeley's online master's in cybersecurity program requires 2 letters of recommendation to apply. The average number of years of work experience is 11 years. The mean base salary four months after the graduation date for alums is $188,948. The UC Berkeley Graduate Division requires applicants who received degrees in countries other than the U.S., U.K., Australia, or English-speaking Canada to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores. The early action deadline to submit is April 3, 2024.

Acceptance rate, 2023-2439%
Average undergraduate GPA, 2023-24 enrollees3.42
Graduation rate97%
Number of applicants in 2023-24360
One-year retention rate98%
Size of 2022-2023 graduating class77
Duke University campus

3. Duke University

Durham, NC

Duke University's cybersecurity master of engineering program waived the requirement to submit GRE scores for the 2024 application cycle. International applicants must submit official test scores unless eligible for a waiver, and the Duolingo test is preferred. Three letters of recommendation are needed to apply. The deadline for fall 2024 admission is March 15. For out-of-state students, tuition per year is about $65,980.

Acceptance rate, 2023-2474%
Average undergraduate GPA, 2023-24 enrollees3.50
Graduation rate100%
Number of applicants in 2023-2438
One-year retention rate100%
Size of 2022-2023 graduating class7
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Maryville University Master of Science in Cybersecurity | Online

Prepare for your future with an outcomes-focused master;s in cybersecurity at Maryville University.

Earn your MS in Cybersecurity online from Maryville University in as few as 12 months. Grow your cybersecurity credentials with in-demand technical skills and industry-relevant certifications.

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4. University of Arizona

4. University of Arizona

Tucson, AZ

When applying to the University of Arizona's online cybersecurity master's program, students may admit GRE or GMAT scores; they are not required but will be reviewed if submitted. Three letters of recommendation are needed. Of the 12 alums seeking jobs four months after graduating, all received employment. The deadline for fall 2024 admission is June 15. On average, the program costs $1,332 per credit. The school has 6 start dates throughout the year. *Data submitted from 2022-23.

Acceptance rate, 2023-2491%*
Average undergraduate GPA, 2023-24 enrollees3.54*
Graduation rate81%
Number of applicants in 2023-2443*
One-year retention rate100%
Size of 2022-2023 graduating class27
5. Bay Path University

5. Bay Path University

Longmeadow, MA

Bay Path University's online master's in cybersecurity does not require test scores to apply, including no TOEFL requirement. CISSP and Security+ certifications may also be considered as part of applications. Two letters of recommendation are needed to apply for the September 23 deadline for fall 2024 admission. Tuition per year for out-of-state students is $26,400.

Acceptance rate, 2023-2432%
Average undergraduate GPA, 2023-24 enrollees3.50
Graduation rate85%
Number of applicants in 2023-2438
One-year retention rate71%
Size of 2022-2023 graduating class14
6. Western Governors University

6. Western Governors University

Salt Lake City, UT

When applying to Western Governors University's online master of cybersecurity program, students may submit GRE or GMAT scores, but they are not required to do so. Letters of recommendation are not needed to apply. According to the school, on average, WGU graduates see an increase in income post-graduation of $22,200 within two years of graduation. Tuition per year, out-of-state costs $9,110, and the program hosts monthly enrollment periods, so applicants should submit before the 15th of the month to start the following month.

Acceptance rate, 2023-2457%
Average undergraduate GPA, 2023-24 enrollees3.00
Graduation rate66%
Number of applicants in 2023-249618
One-year retention rate79%
Size of 2022-2023 graduating class1214

7. Norfolk State University

Norfolk, VA

Norfolk State University's online master's in cybersecurity does not require standarized testing to apply but GRE may be requested for students who wish to apply for certain assistantships and fellowships. Three letters of recommendation are needed to apply, and the deadline for fall 2024 admission is April 15. International students must generally submit a TOEFL score but exceptions apply. Applications are accepted from well-qualified students from virtually any background discipline who are seeking to enter or advance in the field of cybersecurity.

Acceptance rate, 2023-2488%
Average undergraduate GPA, 2023-24 enrollees3.12
Graduation rate98%
Number of applicants in 2023-2451
One-year retention rate94%
Size of 2022-2023 graduating class18
EC-Council University logo

8. EC-Council University

Albuquerque, NM

EC-Council University's online master's in cybersecurity does not require standardized testing or letters of recommendation to apply for its program. Tuition costs about $540 per credit (36 required to graduate), so a student may expect to pay around $10,000 each year. The deadline to apply for fall 2024 admission is September 30.

Acceptance rate, 2023-24DNP
Average undergraduate GPA, 2023-24 enrolleesDNP
Graduation rate76%
Number of applicants in 2023-24DNP
One-year retention rate92%
Size of 2022-2023 graduating class100
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Master’s in Cybersecurity Online From UC Berkeley

Earn a Master’s in Cybersecurity Online in Just 20 Months

The UC Berkeley School of Information’s online Master of Information and Cybersecurity prepares students to become leaders in cybersecurity. No GRE/GMAT required.

Learn More
GRE Required No
Part Time Yes
9. Indiana University

9. Indiana University

Bloomington, IN

When applying to Indiana University's master of cybersecurity risk management program, students may admit GRE or GMAT scores, but they are not required. Two letters of recommendation are needed. Four months after graduating, alumni earn about $112,500 in median annual salary. The deadline for fall 2024 admission is June 15. Per credit, the program costs $1,369 (30 credits needed to graduate; program total may be $41,070).

Acceptance rate, 2023-2478%
Average undergraduate GPA, 2023-24 enrollees3.60
Graduation rate64%
Number of applicants in 2023-2427
One-year retention rate88%
Size of 2022-2023 graduating class13
10. University of San Diego

10. University of San Diego

San Diego, CA

The University of San Diego’s online cybersecurity master’s program requires either a letter of support from the applicant’s employer or two letters of reference. On average, students in this program have 6 years of work experience. Standardized tests are not required, but the school recommends submitting scores if the applicant’s undergraduate GPA is lower than 3.0. The deadline to apply is August 2, 2024.

Acceptance rate, 2023-24100%
Average undergraduate GPA, 2023-24 enrollees2.72
Graduation rate100%
Number of applicants in 2023-2447
One-year retention rate97%
Size of 2022-2023 graduating class28
Utica University

11. Utica University

Utica, NY

Utica University's online cybersecurity master's requires two letters of recommendation to apply. For non-native English speakers, TOEFL scores are required. GRE scores, on the other hand, are not required, but they are accepted and will be reviewed if submitted. Admission is rolling, and tuition costs $895 per credit hour.

Acceptance rate, 2023-2477%
Average undergraduate GPA, 2023-24 enrollees3.77
Graduation rate66%
Number of applicants in 2023-2467
One-year retention rate67%
Size of 2022-2023 graduating class56
University of South Florida campus

12. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL

The University of South Florida's online master of science in information assurance and cybersecurity management program waives the standardized test policy for applicants with GPAs of 3.0 or higher from accredited universities. The school requires two letters of recommendation. Four months after graduation, the mean base salary for alums is $91,000. The deadline to apply for the fall 2024 semester is June 1.

Acceptance rate, 2023-2494%
Average undergraduate GPA, 2023-24 enrollees3.28
Graduation rateDNP
Number of applicants in 2023-2418
One-year retention rate100%
Size of 2022-2023 graduating class12
University of Dallas campus

13. University of Dallas

Irving, TX

When applying to the University of Dallas' online master's in cybersecurity program, the school does not require standardized test scores like the GRE or GMAT, but it does require TOEFL scores for non-native English speakers. The cost of out-of-state tuition per year is $22,950, and the deadline to apply is July 1, 2024.

Acceptance rate, 2023-2445%
Average undergraduate GPA, 2023-24 enrollees3.04
Graduation rate93%
Number of applicants in 2023-24128
One-year retention rate42%
Size of 2022-2023 graduating class54
14. Syracuse University

14. Syracuse University

Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University's online master's in cybersecurity requires three letters of recommendation for applicants. Standardized test scores are not required. There are less than 25 students per class. The average number of years of work experience per newly enrolled student is around eight years. Tuition costs $56,160 annually, and the application deadline is August 8, 2024.

Acceptance rate, 2023-2449%
Average undergraduate GPA, 2023-24 enrollees3.13
Graduation rate50%
Number of applicants in 2023-2447
One-year retention rate75%
Size of 2022-2023 graduating class14
15. Nova Southeastern University

15. Nova Southeastern University

Davie, FL

Nova Southeastern University's online master's in cybersecurity does not require letters of recommendation on the application. The school also only requires standardized test scores if the applicant is a non-native English speaker. In that case, they need to submit either a TOEFL, Duolingo, IELTS, or Pearson Test of English score. Admission is rolling, and tuition costs $29,070.

Acceptance rate, 2023-2471%
Average undergraduate GPA, 2023-24 enrollees3.10
Graduation rate42%
Number of applicants in 2023-2421
One-year retention rate67%
Size of 2022-2023 graduating class17
University of Nevada–Reno campus

16. University of Nevada–Reno

Reno, NV

University of Nevada–Reno's online master's in cybersecurity does not require standardized testing but does require two letters of recommendation to apply for its program. Tuition costs about $850 per credit at 6 credits per semester, so in total, a student may expect to pay around $25,500 in tuition. The deadline to apply for fall 2024 admission is July 27.

Acceptance rate, 2023-2477%
Average undergraduate GPA, 2023-24 enrollees3.05
Graduation rate24%
Number of applicants in 2023-2422
One-year retention rate72%
Size of 2022-2023 graduating class13
17. DePaul University

17. DePaul University

Chicago, IL

DePaul University's MS in cybersecurity does not require students to take the GRE to apply. For international students who completed a bachelor’s degree outside of the US, an English proficiency score is needed. Letters of recommendation are optional, and tuition per year is about $22,032 for out-of-state students. The deadline to apply for fall 2024 admission is August 1.

Acceptance rate, 2023-2492%
Average undergraduate GPA, 2023-24 enrolleesDNP
Graduation rate44%
Number of applicants in 2023-2460
One-year retention rate60%
Size of 2022-2023 graduating class28
Illinois Tech campus

18. Illinois Tech

Chicago, IL

Illinois Tech's cybersecurity master's program does not require standardized testing to apply, but TOEFL scores are required for international applicants. One to three letters of recommendation are required to apply. Tuition costs about $1,712 per credit (30–32 needed to graduate). The deadline to apply for fall 2024 admission is August 15. Four months after graduating, alumni earn about $95,000 in median annual salary.

Acceptance rate, 2023-2468%
Average undergraduate GPA, 2023-24 enrollees3.41
Graduation rateDNP
Number of applicants in 2023-24293
One-year retention rateDNP
Size of 2022-2023 graduating classDNP
19. La Salle University

19. La Salle University

Philadelphia, PA

No standarized testing is required to apply to La Salle University's master of science in cybersecurity, but international students must submit a TOEFL score. No letters of recommendation are required. The program operations on a rolling admission process. In total, the program costs about $30,450 in tuition. Specializations in data science, application development, IT leadership and management, or corporate crime are avaliable.

Acceptance rate, 2023-2460%
Average undergraduate GPA, 2023-24 enrollees3.00
Graduation rateDNP
Number of applicants in 2023-2420
One-year retention rateDNP
Size of 2022-2023 graduating class7
20. Iowa State University

20. Iowa State University

Ames, IA

Iowa State University does not require standarized testing to apply for its online cybersecurity master's, but three letters of recommendation are needed. International students must submit a TOEFL score. Alumni earn $91,500 in median annual salary four months post-program. The deadline to apply for fall 2024 admission is July 15. Tuition per year is about $24,000.

Acceptance rate, 2023-24100%
Average undergraduate GPA, 2023-24 enrollees3.19
Graduation rateDNP
Number of applicants in 2023-2425
One-year retention rateDNP
Size of 2022-2023 graduating class3
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Online Syracuse University M.S. in Cybersecurity

Earn a Syracuse Univ. M.S. in Cybersecurity in 15 Months

Syracuse University’s online M.S. in Cybersecurity prepares students to effectively combat cybercrime. No GRE currently required, but a master’s degree is preferred.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is cybersecurity?

“The definition of cybersecurity is the protection of internet-connected systems such as hardware, software, and data from cyberthreats,” as Mary McHale, a UC Berkeley career advisor for the university’s online master’s in cybersecurity program, told Fortune. As the world becomes increasingly digital, professionals in this fast-growing field are looking to protect threats in all aspects of life, from companies to government to healthcare. 

Is an online master’s in cybersecurity worth it?

The industry moves fast and is always changing, but a master’s degree in cybersecurity can help people get their foot in the door and prepare them for leadership opportunities. With hundreds of thousands of unfilled positions globally, the demand is very high for cybersecurity professionals—and that means they’re also fetching high-paying salaries. Cybersecurity jobs often pay over six-figures, and although a master’s degree isn’t always needed, some experts agree that it definitely helps people advance their careers in this field. Finally, since most students in online master's degree programs in cybersecurity are also working part- or full-time, they have the ability to apply what they’re learning immediately, in real-life workplace scenarios.

What can I do with a master’s in cybersecurity?

Students who pursue a master’s degree in cybersecurity are prepared for a wide range of roles after graduating from one of these programs. The cybersecurity field includes nearly 40 specialty areas and more than 50 work roles, according to the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers & Studies. Some of the more common paths include: Network security engineers, analysts within IT departments, and computer and information systems managers. There are also niche areas within cybersecurity, like cloud security, cryptography, and digital forensics.

How hard is a master’s in cybersecurity?

Earning a master’s degree in cybersecurity is more difficult than a bachelor’s degree, so it will be challenging. Students in a master’s degree program are often working while attending school, which requires the time management skills to balance various professional, academic, and personal demands. Most importantly, however, students who succeed in a master’s degree program must have an interest and enthusiasm for cybersecurity and the protections it provides. 

Which degree is best for cybersecurity?

While computer science programs may also teach some aspects of cybersecurity, a dedicated degree program is best for people interested in a career in this field. In addition to three Ivy League schools that offer online cybersecurity graduate programs—Harvard University, Brown University, and Columbia University—multiple universities have dedicated cybersecurity programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and even doctorate level. Choosing the best degree program depends on the person, and what you hope to achieve post-graduate. 

Can I get a job with a master’s in cybersecurity?

The short answer—yes. In 2017, the global cybersecurity industry was worth approximately $86.4 billion, according to research conducted by Gartner. In 2027 just a decade later, BrandEssance says it’s projected to be worth $403 billion. The industry grows as cyber attacks do, so there is a need for those people who are trained to provide cybersecurity expertise—and a master’s degree program can help expand your career opportunities and salary potential.

How many years is a cybersecurity master’s program?

Cybersecurity master’s programs typically take up to two years to complete because most universities require students to complete 30 to 36 units. Depending on the program and student, a master’s degree program can be completed in less time. For example, UC Berkeley’s online master’s in cybersecurity program can be completed in 20 months, so a bit less than two years.

Do employers take online master's in cybersecurity seriously?

Yes, employers do take these programs seriously, as many top universities now offer an option to earn a master’s degree in cybersecurity online—and this is evident by the outcomes for graduates. Many program's graduates, such as from University of California–Berkeley or Indiana University report earning median annual salaries of over $112,000. And with a record high 4 million cybersecurity professionals needed worldwide, according to ISC2, the industry needs all the help it can get.