The cybersecurity workforce has reached an all-time high, employing an estimated 4.7 million people globally, but the industry is still short more than 3.4 million professionals, according to the 2022 (ISC)² cybersecurity workforce study. And in the U.S. alone, there are more than 700,000 unfilled cybersecurity jobs, data from Cybersecurity Ventures shows.
In reaction to the growing talent gap, higher education institutions, companies, and organizations have launched programs to help candidates get their start in cybersecurity. This includes cybersecurity bootcamps and even free upskilling programs—such as Accenture’s recent launch of its Cyber Million program in partnership with Immersive Labs, a cybersecurity company, with the goal of filling 1 million cybersecurity jobs during the next decade.
The UC Berkeley School of Information’s online Master of Information and Cybersecurity prepares students to become leaders in cybersecurity. No GRE/GMAT required.
- GRE RequiredNo
- Part TimeYes
While there are different options for pursuing a career in the field, one way to maximize earning potential is through earning a master’s degree in cybersecurity—whether online or in person. The upfront cost of the programs may be higher than a bootcamp or other upskilling program, but the return on investment (ROI) can also be higher.
For example, cybersecurity master’s graduates from the University of California—Berkeley, which Fortune ranks as having the No. 1 online program in the U.S., go on to earn median base salaries of more than $182,000 in the six months after graduation. With a total program cost of roughly $76,000, these graduates see a ROI of nearly 140%.
However, a program costing more than $75,000 can be a barrier to entry for future cybersecurity workers. And some of the best cybersecurity master’s programs in the country cost about $15,000 or less—and also produce grads with high earning potential. At Marshall University, online cybersecurity master’s grads earn median base salaries of $100,000 after graduation, but the entire program costs just slightly more than $15,000.
For cybersecurity career hopefuls, Fortune has compiled a list of five cybersecurity programs—both online and in-person—that cost roughly $15,000 or less.
1. Georgia Institute of Technology
Fortune online master’s in cybersecurity ranking: No. 14
Total tuition: $9,920
Acceptance rate: 59.1%
Enrollment: 647 students
2. Kennesaw State University
Fortune online master’s in cybersecurity ranking: No. 15
Total tuition: $11,490
Acceptance rate: 85%
Enrollment: 371 students
3. University of Alabama–Birmingham
Fortune in-person master’s in cybersecurity ranking: No. 1
Total tuition: $14,040
Acceptance rate: 61%
Enrollment: 112 students
4. Marshall University
Fortune online master’s in cybersecurity ranking: No. 2
Total tuition: $15,270
Acceptance rate: 66%
Enrollment: 14 students
5. California State University—San Marcos
Fortune online master’s in cybersecurity ranking: No. 11
Total tuition: $15,675
Acceptance rate: 86.67%
Enrollment: 31 students
Check out all of Fortune’s rankings of degree programs, and learn more about specific career paths.
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.
