Consider Your Future Goals
Start by mapping out your personal and professional goals to find your ideal online master’s in cybersecurity. Knowing whether you want to enter the workforce right after graduation or continue your education beyond a master’s program can help you find the right graduate school.
For example, if you’re looking to enter academia or conduct research in cybersecurity, you might prioritize schools with Ph.D. programs in the field. Attending a doctoral program at the same university where you earned your master’s degree allows you to develop familiarity with staff and students for years. Some schools even offer tuition discounts to alums.
On the other hand, if you see yourself joining the workforce after earning your master’s, you may benefit from focusing on programs with strong alumni networks or internship opportunities. These experiences allow you to connect with employers and perform real-world assignments while still enrolled in a master’s program.
Understand Your Expenses and Financing Options
Data from NCES offers insight into average annual costs for master’s degree programs. The average graduate student paying in-state rates at a public institution paid $12,394 for tuition and fees in the 2020-21 school year. Comparatively, the average annual cost of tuition and fees for private graduate schools was $26,621.
Tuition rates vary significantly among the schools on our list of the best online cybersecurity master’s programs, starting at around $5,400 per year and reaching over $76,000. On average, tuition for the programs on this page costs about $19,500 per year.
To find help paying for your graduate education, start by filling out a FAFSA to ensure your eligibility for student aid from the federal government and other providers that rely on FAFSA information. Student loans incur interest and require repayment; grants and scholarships do not.
Schools and independent organizations administer scholarships and grants based on candidates’ academic performance, personal identities or financial need. CISA offers the CyberCorps®: Scholarship for Service program, which provides a yearly stipend of $37,000 for cybersecurity graduate students. Recipients must commit to a service requirement after graduation.
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