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Best Value Security Science and Technology Colleges

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Robert Morris University stands apart in Security Science and Technology education with graduates earning $63,005 annually, nearly double the $33,459 earned by CUNY John Jay graduates despite both programs serving the same field. This earnings gap reflects the complex relationship between program cost and career outcomes in cybersecurity education. CUNY John Jay offers the most affordable path at just $3,046 net cost, while Robert Morris commands $25,747 annually. The federal government employs over 240,000 cybersecurity professionals nationwide, creating steady demand for graduates across all price points. Eastern Kentucky University graduates earn $48,432 with moderate debt levels, while American Public University System produces strong earners at $46,087 despite operating as a for-profit institution. Regional public universities like Farmingdale State College achieve solid outcomes with $42,073 earnings and manageable $15,000 debt loads. These programs prepare students for roles in corporate security, government agencies, and consulting firms where starting salaries vary significantly by employer type and geographic location.
50
Programs
$3,046 – $39,983
Net Price Range
$36,245
Avg. Program Earnings
53.8%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Security Science and Technology Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $3,046 $33,459 $7,470 55.5% 50.7%
2 $9,104 $46,087 $8,400 53.2%
3 $9,962 $48,432 $10,130 49.7% 64.3%
4 $9,173 $42,073 $8,576 57.1% 73.2%
5 $11,877 $43,798 $10,791 52.9% 80.6%
6 $11,408 $37,363 $10,449 53.9% 82.9%
7 $10,319 $32,925 $6,118 56.0% 74.4%
8 $12,579 $40,017 $4,532 59.1% 84.8%
9 $12,997 $40,281 $9,648 61.2% 88.4%
10 $14,514 $43,798 $7,992 29.6%
11 $10,726 $31,305 $9,744 45.9% 99.9%
12 $14,488 $36,312 $8,862 52.7% 81.7%
13 $14,590 $36,041 $37,227 56.9% 75.6%
14 $25,747 $63,005 $34,940 65.6% 93.8%
15 $16,791 $36,668 $11,306 67.6% 78.6%
16 $14,754 $31,676 $8,315 61.5% 85.4%
17 $14,879 $30,409 $29,264 43.6% 60.7%
18 $17,424 $35,594 $10,108 65.8% 78.6%
19 $20,924 $42,682 $13,099 83.8% 62.7%
20 $20,609 $41,565 $12,930 54.2%
21 $19,476 $38,829 $34,370 47.9% 52.4%
22 $18,998 $37,568 $10,951 63.3% 83.3%
23 $16,358 $31,670 $9,412 35.5%
24 $21,931 $41,025 $17,450 43.0% 77.9%
25 $19,452 $35,701 $16,458 65.4% 91.0%
26 $7,607 $13,702 $5,542 38.7% 45.7%
27 $18,990 $33,993 $8,522 37.5% 69.9%
28 $18,467 $31,547 $28,360 48.8% 80.1%
29 $35,000 $59,350 $45,550 63.0% 55.7%
30 $14,224 $23,227 $9,618 50.6% 98.8%
31 $8,783 $14,164 $5,580 33.0% 33.8%
32 $21,352 $33,993 $36,242 58.8% 86.2%
33 $22,558 $35,060 $41,414 71.0% 78.3%
34 $23,636 $31,839 $51,384 64.2% 85.1%
35 $22,100 $29,685 $32,150 47.0% 95.5%
36 $34,089 $36,324 $45,730 59.2% 91.2%
37 $35,196 $35,060 $51,716 76.9% 79.2%
38 $34,439 $32,124 $24,136 44.2% 96.5%
39 $27,263 $25,194 $44,510 58.7% 80.6%
40 $28,061 $29,970 58.1% 93.4%
41 $18,191 $35,325 56.0% 68.0%
42 $18,370 $37,882 62.6% 74.1%
43 $19,182 $8,782 61.9% 83.9%
44 $27,769 $28,420 35.6% 62.3%
45 $20,893 $30,680 41.5% 64.4%
46 $12,233 $26,110 44.4% 97.0%
47 $15,663 $8,506
48 $14,954 $12,760 17.6%
49 $13,085 $7,754 55.1% 69.5%
50 $39,983 $42,204 69.8% 68.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $29,546 earnings gap between the highest and lowest paying programs?

Robert Morris University graduates earn $63,005 compared to $31,305 for University of Texas at El Paso graduates, reflecting different regional job markets and employer relationships. Private institutions often maintain stronger industry connections that lead to higher-paying positions in corporate security. Geographic factors also matter, as cybersecurity roles in metropolitan areas typically offer premium salaries. Program focus areas, from hands-on technical training to theoretical frameworks, influence graduate placement in different sectors of the security industry.

How do public universities compare to private options for affordability?

Public institutions dominate the affordable tier, with 11 of the 15 schools offering net costs below $17,000 annually. CUNY John Jay leads at $3,046, followed by Farmingdale State at $9,173 and Eastern Kentucky at $9,962. Private options like Robert Morris cost $25,747 but deliver the highest earnings potential. Bay Path University offers middle-ground pricing at $14,590 with moderate earnings of $36,041.

Does higher debt correlate with better career outcomes in this field?

The relationship between debt and earnings varies significantly across programs. Robert Morris graduates carry $26,948 in debt but earn $63,005, creating a favorable debt-to-income ratio. CUNY John Jay and Farmingdale State both maintain low debt levels at $15,500 and $15,000 respectively. American Public University System graduates earn $46,087 with $32,062 in debt, showing that career outcomes depend more on program quality and industry connections than borrowing levels.

Where do graduates typically find employment after completing these programs?

Security Science and Technology graduates work across government agencies, private corporations, and consulting firms nationwide. Federal agencies like the Department of Homeland Security, FBI, and NSA actively recruit from these programs. Corporate security departments in finance, healthcare, and technology sectors offer competitive salaries, particularly in major metropolitan areas. Many graduates also pursue roles with defense contractors, cybersecurity firms, and state law enforcement agencies where specialized training becomes highly valuable.

Is graduation rate important when evaluating these programs?

Graduation rates range from 29.60% at University of Maryland Global Campus to 67.60% at Towson University, indicating significant variation in student success across programs. Higher graduation rates often correlate with better support systems and program structure. Towson University achieves 67.60% completion with moderate earnings of $36,668, while West Virginia University maintains 61.20% graduation rates. Programs with completion rates below 50% may indicate challenges in curriculum difficulty, student support, or program design that prospective students should carefully consider.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.