2026 Best Value Cybersecurity Defense Master’s Degree Schools
[Cybersecurity Defense](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/cybersecurity-defense/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong cybersecurity defense education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 78 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for cybersecurity defense students.
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2026 Best Value Cybersecurity Defense Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in cybersecurity defense, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Cybersecurity Defense Schools
For return on investment in cybersecurity defense, no school beat Kennesaw State University this year. Set in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,808, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. Cybersecurity Defense graduates carry a median of $27,004 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cybersecurity defense degree recipients from Kennesaw State University generally make around $53,824. That is a strong return on a $27,004 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Boise State University one of the best values for cybersecurity defense. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,048, while out-of-state students pay about $27,788. Typical student debt for cybersecurity defense graduates is $24,311. Cybersecurity Defense graduates of Boise State University earn a median of $49,059 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,311 median debt. Boise State University admits about 87% of applicants.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value cybersecurity defense schools. Located in the city of Daytona Beach, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,097. Cybersecurity Defense graduates carry a median of $20,787 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cybersecurity defense degree recipients from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide generally make around $94,550. That is a strong return on a $20,787 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Regent University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value cybersecurity defense schools. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,650. Students borrow a median of $29,451 to complete the cybersecurity defense program here. Soon after graduation, cybersecurity defense degree recipients from Regent University generally make around $67,561. That is a strong return on a $29,451 median debt. Regent University admits about 38% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Michigan State University one of the best values for cybersecurity defense. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Typical student debt for cybersecurity defense graduates is $25,213. Cybersecurity Defense graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $54,166 early in their careers. Set against $25,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of Charleston landed the #6 spot for cybersecurity defense value this year. Set in the city of Charleston, University Of Charleston is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $22,617 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,646 to complete the cybersecurity defense program here. Early-career cybersecurity defense graduates make about $64,407. That is a strong return on a $22,646 median debt. University Of Charleston admits about 62% of applicants.
University Of New Haven placed #7 among the best values for cybersecurity defense. University Of New Haven is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of West Haven. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,332. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the cybersecurity defense program here. Cybersecurity Defense graduates of University Of New Haven earn a median of $49,615 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Other Cybersecurity Defense Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Cybersecurity Defense rankings across degree levels:
View All Cybersecurity Defense Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 78 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
