Cybersecurity Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Protection of computer systems and networks from cyber threats and unauthorized access.
Starting Salary
$80K
median
Mid-Career
$115K
salary
ROI Payback
3 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
1.5%
rate
Cybersecurity Overview
Protection of computer systems and networks from cyber threats and unauthorized access.
Category
STEM
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
68%
Enrollment Trend
growing
Online Available
Yes
Underemployment
8%
Lifetime Premium
$1050K
Female Graduates
18%
Cybersecurity Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$18,900
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$18,900
after scholarships
ROI Payback
0 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$1,031,100
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,050,000) minus net degree cost ($18,900)
Cybersecurity Salary Progression
Common Cybersecurity Careers
Security Analyst
Penetration Tester
CISO
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Cybersecurity
#1
Carnegie Mellon
#2
Georgia Tech
#3
MIT
#4
Purdue
#5
University of Maryland
Related Majors
Cybersecurity Degree FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Enrollment and graduation data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES/IPEDS). Tuition estimates based on College Board Annual Survey of Colleges. Last updated March 2026.
Cybersecurity Programs by City
Tuition, salary outcomes, and cost of living for cybersecurity programs vary by city. See your local numbers:
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