Online MBA in cyber security programs are the most profitable investment for professionals who want high-paying, competitive careers. While a master of science in cyber security trains students to be proficient in information technology and network security, an MBA specialized in cyber security enhances business acumen and leadership skills. If your goal is to manage and monitor, lead teams, create policies, or enter the global cyber security network, an online MBA in cyber security is for you.
Since this is an emerging field, the career opportunities available span all areas of today’s marketplace. You might find yourself leaning towards working in business law or other government-based security positions. There are also plenty of cyber security professionals in finance, nonprofits, project management, risk management, and more. Top professionals often design the best online MBA cyber security degrees, providing experiential learning opportunities and curating substantial professional networks. But what might make an online MBA in cybersecurity best for you might be the exceptionally affordable price tag.
GetEducated has surveyed 42 schools offering 42 prestigiously accredited online MBA in cyber security programs to create this ‘Best Buy’ list. Our rankings reveal the most reasonable options in the United States, with tuition prices below the current national average. Review and compare these valuable options before choosing your degree.
ARTICLE NAVIGATION: Rankings Table | Career Guide
Average Cost (In-state): ~$29,700
Least Expensive: University of West Alabama ~$14,472
Most Expensive: American University ~$86,976
Our data-driven research creates a truly reliable system of scientific rankings. There are no fancy formulas here. We meticulously calculate total full-time tuition—including any fees—for the most accurate total cost. Our rankings cannot be bought, and therefore factually showcase the cheapest online MBA in cyber security degrees. The online cyber security MBA programs listed above the gray dividing line are official 2022 “Best Buys” and cost less than the national average.
Most Affordable Online MBA in Cyber Security
| Rank | School / Degree | State | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |  University of West Alabama | (AL) | $14,472.00 | All Students |
2 | Texas A & M University - Commerce | (TX) | $14,744.00 $26,984.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
3 |  American Public University System | (WV) | $15,625.00 $10,100.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
4 | Murray State University | (KY) | $17,640.00 | All Students |
5 | University of North Carolina-Wilmington | (NC) | $18,113.40 $45,771.48 | In-State Out-of-State |
6 | Touro University Worldwide | (CA) | $18,200.00 | All Students |
7 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro | (NC) | $19,377.80 $29,815.80 | In-State Out-of-State |
8 | St. Thomas University | (FL) | $19,440.00 | All Students |
9 | Eastern Kentucky University | (KY) | $19,860.00 $9,750.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
10 | McKendree University | (IL) | $21,575.00 | All Students |
11 | John Brown University | (AR) | $21,600.00 | All Students |
12 | University of Lynchburg | (VA) | $21,603.60 | All Students |
13 | Montreat College | (NC) | $21,760.00 | All Students |
14 | East Tennessee State University | (TN) | $21,960.00 $27,540.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
15 | Union Institute & University (Status pending: not enrolling new students) Master of Business Administration / Cybersecurity 14 | (OH) | $22,150.00 | All Students |
16 | Utica University | (NY) | $22,200.00 $20,100.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
17 | Cedarville University | (OH) | $22,428.00 | All Students |
18 | Bellevue University | (NE) | $23,060.00 | All Students |
19 | University of Wisconsin-Whitewater | (WI) | $23,472.00 | All Students |
20 | Capitol Technology University | (MD) | $23,838.00 $13,758.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
21 | University of South Florida | (FL) | $24,750.00 | All Students |
22 | Colorado Christian University | (CO) | $25,155.00 | All Students |
23 | Saint Leo University | (FL) | $25,260.00 | All Students |
24 | Salve Regina University | (RI) | $25,645.00 | All Students |
25 | University of New Mexico | (NM) | $26,805.72 $27,102.42 | In-State Out-of-State |
26 | Central Michigan University | (MI) | $27,050.00 $25,250.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
27 | Siena Heights University | (MI) | $28,256.00 | All Students |
28 | University of Colorado - Colorado Springs | (CO) | $28,780.00 $33,968.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
| School / Degree | State | Price | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
The University of Texas at Tyler | (TX) | $30,819.60 | All Students | |
Maryville University | (MO) | $31,221.00 | All Students | |
Regent University | (VA) | $31,600.00 $13,750.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
DeSales University | (PA) | $31,800.00 | All Students | |
Florida Institute of Technology | (FL) | $32,256.00 $29,030.40 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Webster University | (MO) | $32,860.00 $16,060.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Queens University of Charlotte | (NC) | $45,435.00 | All Students | |
Lawrence Technological University | (MI) | $47,118.00 | All Students | |
University of Dallas | (TX) | $49,010.00 | All Students | |
Baylor University | (TX) | $51,864.00 | All Students | |
Pennsylvania State University | (PA) | $59,328.00 | All Students | |
Auburn University | (AL) | $62,790.00 | All Students | |
American University | (DC) | $86,976.00 | All Students |
Accreditation & Program Notes
To qualify for a ranking, a program must be regionally accredited. Additional programmatic accreditation is noted in the rank table.
14 Options for this program have changed since publication.
AACSB AACSB International
IACBE International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education
ACBSP Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
Rankings Note
These online college rankings are based on a GetEducated Winter 2021 review of regionally accredited online MBA in cyber security programs. Total cost includes full-time tuition and fees and was valid at the time of collection and specific to the online learning program. School profiles for the online MBA degrees in our directory may reflect a slightly different cost based on different editorial update schedules.
The published cost is an estimated sticker price for the entire online degree including fees. Actual costs may vary by student. Factors such as transfer credits, prerequisite courses, professional licensing and financial aid availability will affect final cost.
Editorial Note
Online schools do NOT pay to be included in any GetEducated online degree ranking. These rankings are editorially independent, open to any regionally accredited or candidate college that offers an MBA that is available at least 80 percent through online learning and that is open to enrollment by the public. If your online college is regionally accredited and not currently reviewed by GetEducated, please contact us for inclusion.
These rankings of the cheapest online schools for an MBA may NOT be re-posted online or reprinted in any format without a license from GetEducated ®. Consumer finance bloggers and writers can contact our editors for a free custom article on the best online MBA in cyber security options for use on your website. Our mission: Help consumers GetEducated ® about the best online colleges for cost and credibility.
Career Guide: Online MBA in Cyber Security
If you are currently working in the technology sector or have a technology—or business—based bachelor’s degree, an MBA in cyber security may be perfect for your future. This education will advance your technology skills while making you a more competent leader for any industry.
Why Cyber Security?
The world needs experts in cyber security. Digital information is a part of our world; collecting, storing, and protecting this information is becoming more important with every passing year. The need for experts who understand how to safeguard information is critical.
Businesses need these experts to protect customer data, internal information, financial records, transaction data, and more. Cyber security professionals working for governments are perhaps most important of all. Military plans, diplomatic strategies, trade information, and other data points are always under threat. Even non-profits organizations, on some level, need ways to protect the information of donors, clients, and employees.
Cyber security is simply the defense of technology and information. It’s the art and science of defending computers and networks from information theft, viruses, and cyber attacks of all types.
The threat is real, urgent, and critical. To meet that threat, we rely on experts in cyber security. We also rely on people who can manage, organize, and lead these experts, which is why an online MBA in cyber security is such an excellent choice.
What to Expect from an Online MBA in Cyber Security
An MBA, which stands for “Master’s of Business Administration,” is fundamentally a business degree. It is generally intended for people who want to hold management and leadership roles in the business sector, although the specific industry can vary widely. MBAs usually consist of core classes, which are universal to all business and management occupations, as well as concentration or focus classes, which, in this case, would be the cyber security courses.
For the core classes in your online MBA in cyber security, you can expect a variety of topics that touch on important business subjects. These may include accounting, finance, marketing, organizational leadership, and business analytics. You may have studied some of these subjects during a bachelor’s degree, but an MBA will take a deeper, more challenging look at these topics.
Eventually you’ll complete MBA classes that are specific to cyber security. The exact classes can vary, but most students can expect courses like “cyber security essentials,” or “cyber security analytics.” The courses may also include topics such as risk analysis for cyber security, research techniques, identifying cyber threats, tracking information theft, and identifying potential weaknesses in systems. Many of the courses will relate back to management and leadership, and may include communication among technology teams and organizing groups of security experts. An online MBA in cyber security will prepare you for numerous careers in almost any industry or sector.
Popular Careers in Cyber Security
You can find work for a variety of businesses and organizations when you understand cyber security and management.
Information Security Analyst
- Salary: $103,590
- Education: Bachelor’s degree
- Experience: Under 5 years
An information security analyst plans and creates security measures, which protect a computer network and the information used by an organization. The work may include monitoring an organization’s network for breaches, maintaining software, checking for vulnerabilities, and recommending enhancements to a security system.
There are two clear advantages to this career. First is the pay; the median is over $103,000, while the top 10% earn over $163,000 annually. The other is the job growth. Between 2020 and 2030, the BLS predicts that this career will grow 33% (compared to 8% for all careers), adding over 47,000 jobs. This is a clear reflection of the growing need for cyber security.
IT Manager
- Salary: $151,150
- Education: Bachelor’s degree
- Experience: Over 5 years
While they may not work directly with the computer systems and security measures, these leaders plan, coordinate, and manage all types of IT efforts. They plan and direct the installation of computer hardware, and often determine technology staffing need for both the short and long term.
Each position will vary, but many IT managers work to ensure a strong security network for an organization’s system. They may protect online documents, and direct the work of information security analysts.
To work in this profession, you’ll need the right education and experience. You’ll likely need about five years of information technology experience before you can be hired to one of these leadership roles. An MBA in cyber security, along with a bachelor’s in a technology field and five years of experience, is a clear route to this high-paying profession.