Best Online Master’s in Cybersecurity for 2025

Cyberattacks are a major concern for organizations small and large. As a result, the demand for experts to keep systems and data safe from bad actors has never been higher. For individuals who are fascinated by the cyber world, this is great news. To make the process of figuring out educational pathways easier, Fortune has ranked the best online master’s in cybersecurity. A master's degree can not only provide students with the advanced, in-demand skills needed to tackle the intersection of AI, machine learning, and cloud computing with cybersecurity, but it also prepares students to tackle industry-recognized certifications like CISSP, CISA, Security+, CEH, and more. In total, 18 programs opted-in for our list.

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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1. Duke University

Durham, NC

Duke University’s online Master of Engineering in Cybersecurity does not require GRE scores, though international applicants must submit English proficiency test results—Duolingo is preferred. Three letters of recommendation are required, and applicants typically have at least two years of experience; most bring five to ten years in executive or practitioner-level roles. Graduates earn a CompTIA Security+ certification and report an average base salary of $190,000 within three months of finishing the program. The deadline to apply for fall admission is April 18.

Acceptance rate	71%
Graduation rate	100%
Retention rate	100%

2. University of California—Berkeley

Berkeley, CA

The University of California–Berkeley’s 20-month online Master’s in Cybersecurity requires two letters of recommendation. While there’s no minimum work experience required, students average nine years of professional experience. Core courses typically enroll 12–15 students. International applicants must submit TOEFL or IELTS scores. The mean base salary of graduates six months after graduation is around $167,000. The application deadline is May 14.

Acceptance rate	36%
Graduation rate	100%
Retention rate	98%

3. University of Arizona

Tucson, AZ

The University of Arizona’s online Master’s in Cybersecurity requires 33 credits to graduate, with each credit costing approximately $1,250. Three letters of recommendation are needed, and international applicants must submit either TOEFL or IELTS scores. The university has held the National Center of Academic Excellence designation from the NSA since 2009. The deadline to apply for Fall A is July 28, and for Fall B, September 29. The program offers six start dates per year, and core courses typically have an average of 37 students.

Acceptance rate	77%
Graduation rate	87%
Retention rate	97%

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

4. Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University’s hands-on, online Master’s in Cybersecurity costs approximately $16,000 per year for out-of-state students and takes about 18 months to complete. Two letters of recommendation are required, and international applicants must submit either TOEFL or IELTS scores. Graduates earn both the CompTIA Security+ and CISSP certifications. The application deadline for fall matriculation is June 30. Core courses average around 20 students.

Acceptance rate	95%
Graduation rate	90%
Retention rate	95%

5. University of San Diego

San Diego, CA

The University of San Diego offers two online master’s degrees in cybersecurity, both of which can be completed in approximately 20 months. Tuition is $23,220 for the Cybersecurity Engineering program and $17,370 for the Cybersecurity Operations and Leadership program (each for 18 units). Applicants must submit either a letter of support from their employer or two letters of reference. Additionally, international students are required to provide TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo scores. Standardized tests, such as the GRE or GMAT, are not required but may be submitted to strengthen an application. Lastly, both programs are designated National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity by the NSA, have an August 1 application deadline, and core courses average between 72 and 80 students. For this ranking of schools, we averaged data across both programs, as they share similar characteristics.

Acceptance rate	100%
Graduation rate	88%
Retention rate	97%

6. EC-Council University

Albuquerque, NM

EC-Council University’s online Master of Science in Cyber Security offers five specializations, each aligned with EC-Council certifications like CEH, CISSP, and C|CISO. The program takes 18–24 months to complete, costs around $9,720 per year, and does not require standardized test scores or letters of recommendation. International students must meet English proficiency requirements, which may be waived based on prior education. The application deadline for fall admission is September 30.

Acceptance rate	52%
Graduation rate	83%
Retention rate	91%

7. University of South Florida (Muma)

Hillsborough County, FL

The University of South Florida’s 12-month online M.S. in Information Assurance and Cybersecurity Management waives standardized tests for applicants with a 3.0 GPA from an accredited university. All applicants must submit two letters of recommendation, and international candidates must provide TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English scores. The program costs about $27,400, and the fall-semester application deadline is June 1.

Acceptance rate	54%
Graduation rate	90%
Retention rate	85%

8. Maryville University

St. Louis, MO

Maryville University’s one-year online Master’s in Cybersecurity costs $27,750 for all students, regardless of residency. International applicants must submit TOEFL scores. Students in the Technical specialization can prepare for certifications like CEH, CCSP, ECES, and Splunk, while those in the Business/Leadership track focus on Security+, CISA, and CYSA+. The program offers rolling enrollment every eight weeks. According to the school, 98% of graduates secure industry-related roles, pursue further education, or enter the military.

Acceptance rate	100%
Graduation rate	DNP
Retention rate	DNP

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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9. University of Charleston

Charleston, WV

The University of Charleston’s online Master’s in Cybersecurity offers fall, spring, and summer courses in a flexible seven-week format, allowing students to apply and enroll year-round. While not required, students can complete the program in as little as one year, with most finishing in 12 to 36 months. There are no requirements for prior work experience, letters of recommendation, standardized tests, or English proficiency exams. Lastly, the program maintains a low student-to-instructor ratio of 12:1 to support personalized learning.

Acceptance rate	100%
Graduation rate	DNP
Retention rate	90%

10. Indiana University

Bloomington, IN

Indiana University’s Master of Science in Cybersecurity Risk Management (CyberRiskMS) combines courses from the Kelley School of Business, the Luddy School of Informatics, and the Maurer School of Law. As of May 2025, nearly 150 students have graduated from the program. It requires 30 credits and can be completed in one to five years, depending on your pace of study. Two letters of recommendation are required, and students receive free access to CISSP exam prep. The application deadline for the fall semester is June 15.

Acceptance rate	77%
Graduation rate	75%
Retention rate	75%

11. Murray State University

Murray, KY

Murray State University’s online Master’s in Cybersecurity Management costs $10,467 per year for out-of-state students and takes 12 to 18 months to complete. Applicants must have at least two years of work experience; however, letters of recommendation are not required. International students must submit TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or Pearson PTE scores. The program is designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity by the NSA, and graduates are prepared for certifications including Security+, CRISC, CISSP, CEH, and CSA. Lastly, the deadline to apply for fall admission is August 13.

Acceptance rate	87%
Graduation rate	54%
Retention rate	83%

12. Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw, GA

Kennesaw State University’s online M.S. in Cybersecurity does not require letters of recommendation or additional standardized tests. International applicants must submit TOEFL iBT or IELTS scores. Students without a computing background may be required to complete foundational classes, as determined through a case-by-case review. The average incoming student had around 3 years of work experience in 2023–24. Lastly, the application deadline is July 1, and core courses enroll around 150 students.

Acceptance rate	90%
Graduation rate	35%
Retention rate	75%

13. La Salle University

Philadelphia, PA

La Salle University’s Master of Science in Cybersecurity takes about 22 months to complete. No letters of recommendation or English proficiency scores are required. Lastly, the deadline to apply is August 15.

Acceptance rate	100%
Graduation rate	57%
Retention rate	DNP

Advance your Future with an M.S. degree in Computing from NSU

12-Month Accelerated Online Programs

With seven M.S. programs to choose from - including computer science, cybersecurity management, data analytics, information technology, and more - accelerate your degree with 8-week courses designed to be completed in just one year. A M.S. degree from NSU's College of Computing and Engineering will help you gain the skills that Fortune 500 companies and government security agencies look for in leaders. No GRE/GMAT Required.

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14. Iowa State University

Ames, IA

Iowa State University’s online Master’s in Cybersecurity does not require standardized tests or letters of recommendation. International applicants must submit TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo scores. The university is designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity by the NSA, and core courses average around 40 students. The fall deadline is July 15.

Acceptance rate	DNP
Graduation rate	DNP
Retention rate	DNP

15. Harvard Extension School

Cambridge, MA

Harvard Extension School’s online Master’s in Cybersecurity requires 12 courses (48 credits) and can be completed in 2 to 4 years, with a five-year maximum. The program follows an open-enrollment model—no formal application, standardized tests, or letters of recommendation are required. International applicants must submit TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or PTE scores. Lastly, graduates join the Harvard Alumni Association and participate in Harvard Commencement.

Acceptance rate	DNP
Graduation rate	DNP
Retention rate	DNP

16. Nova Southeastern University

Davie, FL

Nova Southeastern University’s online Master’s in Cybersecurity is a one-year program that requires 30 credits and costs a total of $29,370 in tuition. The program follows rolling admissions and does not require standardized tests, except for English proficiency exams for non-native speakers (TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or PTE). It incorporates current trends in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, aligned with NSA Center of Academic Excellence standards. Lastly, students can begin the program year-round and complete it on an accelerated timeline.

Acceptance rate	66%
Graduation rate	57%
Retention rate	73%

17. Auburn University

Auburn, AL

Auburn University’s M.S. in Cybersecurity Engineering (MS-CYBE) takes about 18 months to complete full-time. Applicants must submit three letters of recommendation, and international students must provide TOEFL or IELTS scores. The program is designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in both Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) and Cyber Operations (CAE-CO) by the NSA. The deadline to apply for fall admission is July 15.

Acceptance rate	40%
Graduation rate	DNP
Retention rate	DNP

18. DePaul University

Chicago, IL

DePaul University’s online Master’s in Cybersecurity program takes approximately 24 months to complete and costs a total of $45,840 in tuition. Letters of recommendation are optional, and the application deadline for fall admission is August 1. Additionally, the program emphasizes hands-on learning through gamification and has earned national recognition in cybersecurity competitions, including multiple wins in the Illinois and Midwest CCDC, as well as recent top-three finishes at the National CCDC.

Acceptance rate	80%
Graduation rate	36%
Retention rate	64%

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

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.