2027 Best Value Cybersecurity Defense Master’s Degree Schools
[Cybersecurity Defense](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/cybersecurity-defense/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools to find the best return on investment for cybersecurity defense students.
What’s on this page:
2027 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
Suny Empire State College tops our 2027 list of the best value cybersecurity defense schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,648, with out-of-state students paying around $17,558. Typical student debt for cybersecurity defense graduates is $23,693. Early-career cybersecurity defense graduates make about $58,140. Set against $23,693 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Universidad Del Turabo one of the best values for cybersecurity defense. Located in the suburb of Gurabo, Universidad Del Turabo is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,750. Cybersecurity Defense graduates carry a median of $14,155 in student loans. Early-career cybersecurity defense graduates make about $31,188. That is a strong return on a $14,155 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kennesaw State University earned it the #3 place for cybersecurity defense. Set in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,808, with out-of-state students paying around $17,736. Students borrow a median of $27,004 to complete the cybersecurity defense program here. Cybersecurity Defense graduates of Kennesaw State University earn a median of $53,824 early in their careers. Set against $27,004 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Universidad Metropolitana is a great value for students pursuing a degree in cybersecurity defense, landing the #4 spot this year. Universidad Metropolitana is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Juan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,750. Cybersecurity Defense graduates carry a median of $15,074 in student loans. Cybersecurity Defense graduates of Universidad Metropolitana earn a median of $26,716 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,074 median debt.
Edward Waters College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value cybersecurity defense schools. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Edward Waters College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,366. Graduates go on to earn a median of $34,782 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Michigan State University earned the #6 position for value in cybersecurity defense this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. 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. Soon after graduation, cybersecurity defense degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $54,166. Set against $25,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide came in at #7 for value in cybersecurity defense this year. 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. Early-career cybersecurity defense graduates make about $94,550. That is a strong return on a $20,787 median debt. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide admits about 58% of applicants.
Regent University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value cybersecurity defense schools. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,650. Students borrow a median of $29,451 to complete the cybersecurity defense program here. Early-career cybersecurity defense graduates make about $67,561. Set against $29,451 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Boise State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value cybersecurity defense schools. Boise State University is a very large public school located in the city of Boise. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,048, compared with $27,788 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,311 to complete the cybersecurity defense program here. Soon after graduation, cybersecurity defense degree recipients from Boise State University generally make around $49,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Boise State University admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Maryland University College placed #10 among the best values for cybersecurity defense. Located in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,136, while out-of-state students pay about $12,336. Students borrow a median of $29,200 to complete the cybersecurity defense program here. Soon after graduation, cybersecurity defense degree recipients from University Of Maryland University College generally make around $101,880. That is a strong return on a $29,200 median debt.
Robert Morris University placed #11 among the best values for cybersecurity defense. Robert Morris University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Moon Township. In-state tuition and fees average $35,770. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the cybersecurity defense program here. Cybersecurity Defense graduates of Robert Morris University earn a median of $69,872 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Robert Morris University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of New Haven ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value cybersecurity defense schools. Located in the suburb of West Haven, University Of New Haven is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,332. Cybersecurity Defense graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career cybersecurity defense graduates make about $49,615. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Institute Of Technology placed #13 among the best values for cybersecurity defense. Located in the city of Melbourne, Florida Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,900. Typical student debt for cybersecurity defense graduates is $32,114. Cybersecurity Defense graduates of Florida Institute Of Technology earn a median of $69,878 early in their careers. Set against $32,114 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Institute Of Technology admits about 58% of applicants.
Other Cybersecurity Defense Degree Levels
Explore the best-value cybersecurity defense schools at other degree levels:
View All Cybersecurity Defense Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
