The top online cybersecurity MBA programs combine business administration degree programs and the security field. In today’s tech-driven world, there are a wealth of cyber security master’s programs for aspiring professionals; but while we tend to think of computer science when we think of cybersecurity, an MBA in cybersecurity is less obvious, but potentially a much more lucrative route. Whether it’s called a Cyber Security MBA, an Information Security MBA, or some other combination, the combination of business administration and computer science gives graduates the best of two connected but different worlds. That means that professionals with an MBA in Cybersecurity are truly in a league of their own.
Cybersecurity is, quite possibly, the #1 issue for business today, and leadership in areas of data protection and information security is in extreme demand. There simply aren’t enough working professionals with expertise in both the technical side and the managerial side, to adequately do the work of leading cybersecurity operations for big corporations. Whether you’re a manager who needs more tech know-how or a techie with a cybersecurity bachelor’s degree who needs to develop managerial skills, an online MBA in Cybersecurity is the way to promotion and advancement.
Ranking the Best MBA in Cybersecurity Online Programs
Security Degree Hub ranked the Top 10 Online MBA in Cybersecurity Programs by seeking out accredited colleges and universities offering a Master of Business Administration degree program with a concentration in cybersecurity. From our initial pool, schools are ranked by three factors:
- Cost (from IPEDS data)
- Reputation (from Niche reviews)
- Return (from College Scorecard alumni salary stats)
This perfect pyramid of quality tells potential students that they are getting an all-around value that is sure to send their careers to a new level of greatness.
1. James Madison University
James Madison University’s online Information Security MBA degree program is one of the nation’s top online cyber security master’s degree programs available today. Students can complete this 42-credit hour Information Security MBA in just 28 months. The MBA in Security and Intelligence prepares graduates with both strong business fundamentals and the skills to protect businesses through the application of digital security techniques. Offered in 1997, JMU’s online Master of Business Administration degree in cybersecurity is one of the first programs of its kind and ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the best online MBA in Virginia.
JMU was established in 1908 as a state school for women preparing for teaching or industrial jobs, but currently is a co-educational institute of higher learning. The 721-acre campus is home to more than 20,000 students. Kiplinger ranks JMU as one of the Best Values in Public Colleges. JMU’s profile has risen in the 21st century in great part due to its online degree programs, frequently ranked among the best nationally. Graduate tuition rates for cyber security master’s programs are determined by a student’s residency.
Degree: MBA in Information Security
Want to know more? Visit the program site!
2. University of South Florida
The University of South Florida’s online cyber security master’s degree is offered through their Muma College of Business. USF’s online learning platform allows students to study at their own pace and, on their own schedule. USF’s MBA Cybersecurity program requires the completion of 32 credit hours. MBA Cybersecurity candidates have the option to choose electives in line with their career objectives. Students can complete their Master of Business Administration degree in just 4 semesters – as little as a year and a half – and even part-time students can finish in just 3 years.
The University of South Florida, located in Tampa, has only been around since 1956, but it is nonetheless Florida’s 4th-largest public school with well over 50,000 students. USF is home to 14 colleges spread across three campuses on Florida’s gulf coast. Tuition costs are the same for in-state and out-of-state students. USF has been recognized as the second-best school in the country for veterans to earn their degree, making USF”s MBA one of the best online cyber security master’s degrees for vets.
Degree: MBA in Cybersecurity
Want to know more? Visit the program site!
3. University of Baltimore
The University of Baltimore’s online MBA in Cybersecurity and Organizational Resilience (CSOR) prepares graduates to identify and solve digital information risks. This cyber security master’s program, provided through UB’s Merrick School of Business, allows students to earn their degree online, on-campus, or a hybrid of the two. In 2018, both CEO Magazine and U.S. News & World Report recognized UB’s online MBA cyber security master’s degree program as among the best in the country.
The University of Baltimore, founded in 1925, is located in the heart of midtown Baltimore, MD. The University of Baltimore, like its namesake city, is a dynamic, diverse welcoming community that proactively supports the concept of inclusion. The University of Baltimore receives its accreditation from AACSB International. Tuition costs vary and are based upon a student’s residency at the time of application, offering an MBA in Cybersecurity that is affordable enough to create an exceptional return on investment.
Degree: MBA in Cybersecurity and Organizational Resilience
Want to know more? Visit the program site!
4. American University
American University’s online MBA in Cybersecurity specialty is designed to meet the growing need for digital protection for businesses. The MBA in Cybersecurity degree curriculum coordinates with the Kogod Cybersecurity Governance Center for the most current and valuable information. Coursework includes Databases & Big Data, Forensic Accounting, and Risk Management, among other classes. With its connections to the federal government and intelligence community, America’s online cyber security master’s degree is easily one of the best in the world.
A charter issued by the U.S. Congress established American University in 1893. An inordinate amount of students earning degrees at AU become Fulbright Scholars; while many others receive nationally recognized prestigious fellowships. The Princeton Review acknowledges that American University students are the most politically active in the country. American University is located in one of the three foremost cybersecurity constellations on the globe, Washington, D.C. Graduates enter the workforce with an MBA cyber security salary that exceeds an IT professional who holds only a bachelor’s degree.
Degree: MBA in Cybersecurity
Want to know more? Visit the program site!
5. Florida Institute of Technology
The Florida Institute of Technology online MBA in Security and Intelligence specialty is one concentration in a 36-credit-hour master’s program. This online cyber security master’s degree prepares professionals to manage computer security networks and implement risk assessment procedures as the situation dictates. The MBA in Cybersecurity degree combines business essentials with technological specialty applications. Specialization courses to earn this degree includes Information Security Management, Host Based Security, and Secure Networks.
The Florida Institute of Technology was founded in 1958 as an engineering school in support of NASA’s objectives, due to its location on the Space Coast along Florida’s eastern edge. FIT’s first classes were held at the local airport, in an abandoned building. The Computing Sciences Accreditation Board endorses FIT’s computer science programs, including the MBA in Cybersecurity degree. The Times Higher Education includes the Florida Institute of Technology as one of the top schools with regard to the issue of graduate employability. The Florida Institute of Technology’s tuition costs is the same for both in-state and out-of-state students.
Degree: Master of Business Administration degree in Security and Intelligence
Want to know more? Visit the program site!
6. Salve Regina University
Salve Regina University’s online MBA in Cybersecurity Issues in Business prepares graduates to become ethically based, business thought leaders. Salve Regina University’s online cyber security master’s degree is about more than protecting business data; as a Catholic institution, Salve Regina is dedicated to using business to make a more just world. The MBA program coursework focuses on the emerging business needs in the areas of Finance, Strategic Management, and Entrepreneurship. Salve Regina University offers small classes to enrich a student’s learning experience.
Founded in 1934, Salve Regina University is a private Catholic university in Newport, RI. The 80-acre SRU campus sits atop seven adjoining preeminent estates that border Newport’s #1 tourist attraction – the Cliff Walk. Financial aid is available to SRU’s students through scholarships, grants, and work-study programs. Tuition costs remain the same for all students and, are based upon each student’s course load, making their information security MBA one of the best values possible from a respected Catholic college.
Degree: MBA in Cybersecurity Issue in Business
Want to know more? Visit the program site!
7. Cedarville University
Cedarville University’s online MBA in Cybersecurity degree program combines practical business fundamentals with razor-sharp expertise in the areas of Security Architecture, Risk Management, and Cybersecurity Law & Policy. Graduates are fully prepared to advance their careers as Lead Software Engineers, Cybersecurity Crime investigators, or Chief Information Security Officers. Students graduate from the online cyber security master’s degree program with service and leadership skills that last a lifetime. Cedarville University creates MBA graduates that act with integrity in their personal and business lives.
Cedarville University is a private Baptist university that was founded in 1887. CU is a Higher Learning Commission regionally accredited university; with the MBA program accredited by The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. Cedarville University offers residents and non-residents a cost-effective price plan through their Family-Pay option. With affordability at the center of their values, Cedarville’s cyber security master’s programs are an incredible investment.
Degree: MBA in Cybersecurity
Want to know more? Visit the program site!
8. Bellevue University
Bellevue University’s online MBA in Cybersecurity degree program prepares graduates to identify, deter, and prevent the ongoing onslaught of cybersecurity threats and risks. Cyber security master’s programs offered by Bellevue University include nine credit hours in the areas of Forensics, Information Warfare, Ethical Hacking and Response, Security Architecture, Security Management, and Cloud Computing. Students enrolling in the online cyber security master’s degree concentration program must be able to demonstrate previously attained technical and practical knowledge.
Established in 1966, Bellevue University’s initial objective was to provide quality adult education, which continues today. BU is home to more than 10,000 students. The school’s first master’s degree was issued in 1990. Bellevue University’s MBA program has received specialized accreditation from the International Accreditation Council for Business Education. Tuition costs are the same for in-state and out-of-state students, providing an affordable information security MBA opportunity to students everywhere.
Degree: MBA in Cybersecurity
Want to know more? Visit the program site!
9. Missouri State University
Missouri State University’s online MBA in Cybersecurity degree program is one of the top cyber security master’s programs in the South, from one of the Deep South’s most respected institutions. Twenty-five percent of Missouri State University’s MBA candidates study for their degrees online. The majority of MBA students are working professionals. MBA candidates can specialize in information security by adding a College of Business Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity to their MBA program. MSU also offers a fast-track option for MBA candidates.
Missouri State University was founded by the state legislature in 1905 and is currently Missouri’s second biggest university in terms of enrollment. The Missouri State University College of Business is one of the largest Midwest business schools and the largest in the state of Missouri. MSU has opened a branch campus through a partnership with the Liaoning Normal University in China. Online MBA Tuition is the same for in-state and out-of-state students.
Degree: MBA with Cybersecurity Graduate Certificate
Want to know more? Visit the program site!
10. Maryville University
Maryville University’s online MBA in Cybersecurity degree program is offered through the John E. Simon School of Business. The program can be completed either on a full-time or a part-time basis, either online or on-campus. Students who attend full-time can complete their MBA in Security and Intelligence degree in as little as twelve months. MU’s MBA Cybersecurity degree is affordable and readily accessible to students 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Maryville University’s business school partners with the national investment broker, Edward Jones Investments.
Maryville University was established in 1872 and is located about 20 miles from the heart of St. Louis. The school’s 130-acre campus is home to about 9,000 students. Kiplinger has recognized Maryville University as one of the best values among private schools. Forbes has ranked Maryville University among the country’s finest colleges. Tuition for a Master of Business Administration degree differs based on whether the coursework is completed online or in the evenings. Additionally, the specific degree program selected affects tuition costs. More than 90% of MU’s full-time students receive financial aid.
Degree: MBA in Security and Intelligence
Want to know more? Visit the program site!
Can I Get an MBA in Cybersecurity Completely Online?
An MBA in Cybersecurity is available entirely online from a variety of schools in and around the country. While an MBA in Cyber Security in the USA is readily accessible to those vying for the degree, prospective students can also choose from the many international universities that offer similar distance learning options.
Online Cyber Security master’s programs are a great option for working learners who need to set a study timetable to meet the demands of their existing schedules. An online Cyber Security master’s degree offers candidates a flexible and affordable option to further their careers and increase their earning potential.
Are Online Cybersecurity Master of Business Administration Degree Programs Reputable?
Cyber Security master’s programs are offered by some of the finest, most reputable institutes of higher learning in the country. MBA in Security and Intelligence programs, offered through distance-learning platforms, receive an “accreditation” issued by a professional accreditation board (or oversight council) specific to the field of study.
Each accreditation agency must have been formally approved by the U.S. Department of Education. An example of a firm that would formally accredit a Cyber Security Master of Business Administration degree program is the Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs. Federal student aid, in the form of loans, grants, and fellowships, is only available to those schools that hold a formal accreditation from an approved council.
Distance learners who are studying for an MBA in Security and Intelligence must meet the same requirements as students studying on campus. Faculty members who teach Cyber Security master’s programs on campus are also responsible to educate those students studying online.
What Will I Learn from an Online Cyber Security Master’s Degree?
The Information Security Master of Business Administration degree program prepares graduates by integrating coursework in practical business fundamentals with razor-sharp expertise in digital networking solutions. If you plan to earn your MBA in Cyber Security in USA schools, know that the curriculum includes coursework regarding Security Architecture, Information Warfare, Security Management, Cloud Computing, Information Warfare, and Ethical Hacking and Response. Ultimately, a Cyber Security MBA graduate is prepared to identify and solve digital threats and risks.
Students studying for their Cyber Security MBA will learn to handle cyber-terrorism, computer forensics, vulnerability analysis, and even psychological profiling. Upon graduating, students will learn that an MBA in Cyber Security salary is higher than those jobs that only require a bachelor’s degree in business with a concentration in security.
Should I Choose an MBA in Cybersecurity or an Information Security MBA?
Cyberspace opens the world to the many possibilities of large-scale connectivity and innovation. However, cyberspace is also fraught with risks and threats that impact both a business’ bottom line and the country’s national security. Business gurus have already recognized the very real dangers a cyber attack can cause and have begun to put security measures in place. How can you make the most of your cybersecurity career?
Colleges and universities, in response to the recent explosion of cyber risks, now offer MBA in Security and Intelligence programs to prepare future cybersecurity leaders who are ready to manage the technology to fight cyber security threats.
Earning a master’s degree with a specialty of cyber security is a smart way to positively impact one’s earning potential and career aspirations. As a result, an MBA Cyber Security salary will reflect the increasing difficulty in finding qualified talent to fill these cybersecurity assignments.
Those students earning their online Cyber Security master’s degree will graduate with the skills necessary to join the business/cyber security field (or a national security agency) as a Project Manager, a Software Developer, a Computer Network Architect, an Information Security Analyst, or a Computer Systems Analyst.
Related: