Cybersecurity Programs in Maryland
Updated February 13, 2023
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Completing a cybersecurity degree in Maryland can open the door to high-paying jobs in the state's growing tech sector. According to CompTIA, the median salary for tech jobs in Maryland is 119% above the national average.
Students can benefit from Maryland's strong commitment to cybersecurity and plentiful online and on-campus cybersecurity programs. Maryland's proximity to the nation's capital means that many federal agencies have offices in the state.
Find out more about Maryland's cybersecurity programs. Discover what this state has to offer, including job opportunities for cybersecurity graduates.
|
Average Wage for Computer and Mathematical Occupations |
$110,790 |
|
% of Workforce in Tech |
7.8% |
|
Economic Impact of Tech Industry |
$36 billion |
|
Number of Higher Learning Institutions |
49 |
Sources: Cyberstates, NCES, OEWS
Why Go to College for Cybersecurity in Maryland?
Although not geographically large, Maryland is home to 49 institutions of higher learning, including many diverse cybersecurity schools. In addition to offering many cybersecurity and IT job opportunities, Maryland's proximity to Washington D.C. also means access to cybersecurity jobs in government agencies.
Students in online cybersecurity programs can benefit from the ability to learn anytime, anywhere. Graduates can experience the benefits of networking in the state they matriculated from.
Staying local can make it easier to find out about job opportunities, get mentor recommendations, and land internships and first jobs.
Education Statistics for Maryland
Maryland is home to 32 four-year and 16 two-year colleges. The percentage of people with a graduate degree is 6.4% higher in Maryland than the national average.
| Higher Education Statistics | Maryland Data | National Data |
|---|---|---|
|
Four-Year Colleges |
32 |
2,520 |
|
Two-Year Colleges |
17 |
1,216 |
|
Students Enrolled in Distance Education |
83.2% |
72.8% |
|
Adults Over 25 With an Associate Degree |
6.7% |
8.6% |
|
Adults Over 25 With a Bachelor's Degree |
21.8% |
20.2% |
|
Adults Over 25 With a Graduate Degree or Higher |
19.1% |
12.7% |
Sources: NCES, U.S. Census Bureau
Accreditation for Maryland Schools
Accredited schools meet high educational standards. Colleges and universities go through a third-party evaluation to receive accreditation.
Choosing an accredited college is important if you want to receive financial aid, apply to graduate school, or transfer to another school.
When choosing a college in Maryland, look for schools with accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Cybersecurity programs are accredited by the ABET's Computing Accreditation Commission.
Considerations for a Cybersecurity Degree in Maryland
Many factors go into choosing the right cybersecurity programs. Consider your desired degree level and program format.
Your options for schools vary depending on if you're pursuing an associate, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree. Program formats may include fully online, hybrid, and in-person options.
Maryland has a significantly higher percentage of students not enrolled in distance education courses than the national average.
Explore rankings for top cybersecurity programs around the country
Cybersecurity Concentrations and Similar Degrees
Students may choose from various cybersecurity concentrations or similar degrees in information assurance, computer science, and information security systems. These degrees mirror in-demand career opportunities in Maryland's cybersecurity and information security industry.
|
Information Assurance |
An information assurance concentration or degree covers security planning, data privacy, and web security. Students learn to create security systems in compliance with legal standards and protect computer systems from breaches. This field is relevant for people interested in working in one of the many federal government jobs in or near the state. |
|
Computer Science |
A computer science degree provides a broad foundation in computing theory and practice. It can prepare students for various in-demand careers in cybersecurity or general computer science-related positions. |
|
Information Systems Security |
An information systems security program or concentration combines cybersecurity, programming, and computer systems concepts. Graduates gain specialized knowledge applicable to many cybersecurity-related careers in Maryland. |
Paying for Your Cybersecurity Degree
Tuition can dramatically impact your total cost of education, depending on what type of school you choose and whether you pay in-state or out-of-state.
Tuition at a four-year university in Maryland is close to the national average. But, tuition for two-year colleges is higher than the national average in the state. Students attending private schools pay more than $11,000 on average than learners in other states.
Students have various financing options when pursuing a cybersecurity degree in Maryland. Learners may be able to use financial aid, grants/scholarships, fellowships, and loans to pay for a degree.
In-State Versus Out-of-State Tuition
Depending on their residency status, Maryland cybersecurity students pay in-state or out-of-state tuition. In-state tuition is much less expensive than out-of-state tuition. Students who can qualify for resident tuition can save a lot of money.
Maryland participates in the Southern Regional Education Board's Academic Common Market, a state reciprocity agreement and tuition-savings program for college students wanting to attend public institutions outside of their home state.
Maryland's Cost of Living
Maryland's high cost of living can impact a student's budget. Maryland's cost of living is 124 on the cost index, which means it exceeds the national average by 24%. Cost of living accounts for the basic necessities like housing, groceries, and utilities.
Students may find paying for housing particularly difficult in Maryland, where it costs 65.9% more than the national average.
Careers for Cybersecurity Graduates in Maryland
Maryland cybersecurity program graduates can apply for many promising career opportunities in the state. CompTIA's State of the Tech Workforce reports that Maryland ranks seventh in the U.S. for the percentage of its workforce in tech, with cybersecurity and systems engineer occupations ranking as one of the top tech jobs.
Major industries that require workers with cybersecurity or related degrees include cybersecurity and IT, advanced manufacturing, the federal government, and financial services.
Cybersecurity graduates in Maryland may also benefit from being close to other places with many cybersecurity job opportunities, such as Virginia and Washington, D.C.
Maryland boasts the third highest concentration of information security analysts in the U.S, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). It also ranks in the top three states with the highest annual salaries for information security analysts, behind only California and New York.
Select Cybersecurity Careers in Maryland
Information Security Analysts
Information security analysts help organizations keep their computer networks and data secure and respond to cyberattacks. Information security analysts need at least a bachelor's degree in a cybersecurity-related field. Maryland employs more security analysts than 45 other states in the U.S.
Average Salary for Information Security Analysts in Maryland: $126,110(2021)
Job Outlook in Maryland (2020-30): +36.7% job growth
Security Engineers
Security engineers create systems to protect data and prevent security breaches. They typically need at least a bachelor's degree in a computer science-related field.
Average Salary for Security Engineers: $97,523 (January 2023)
Job Outlook in Maryland (2020-30): +36.7% job growth
Security Directors
Security directors oversee the cybersecurity-related staff, policies, procedures, and budget for their organization. They need at least a bachelor's degree and usually at least five years of relevant experience.
Average Salary for Security Directors in Maryland: $155,830 (2021)
Job Outlook in Maryland (2020-30): +11.8% job growth
Maryland's economy also supports many other cybersecurity-related positions, which we describe below.
Maryland Employment Trends
| Year | State | National |
|---|---|---|
|
Computer Hardware Engineers |
||
|
2020 Employment |
3,550 |
66, 200 |
|
2030 Projected Employment |
3,500 |
67,300 |
|
Projected Job Growth, 2020-2030 |
-1.4% |
+1.7% |
|
Computer Network Architects |
||
|
2018 Employment |
8,030 |
165,200 |
|
2030 Projected Employment |
8,850 |
174,200 |
|
Projected Job Growth, 2018-28 |
+10.2% |
+5.4% |
|
Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers |
||
|
2020 Employment |
43,680 |
1,847,900 |
|
2030 Projected Employment |
53,720 |
2,257,400 |
|
Projected Job Growth, 2020-2030 |
+23% |
+22.2% |
Source: Projections Central
| Career | Maryland Employment | Maryland Annual Mean Wage | National Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Computer and Information Systems Managers |
$155,830 |
$159,010 |
|
|
Computer Hardware Engineers |
$127,200 |
$128,170 |
|
|
Computer Network Architects |
$136,520 |
$120,520 |
|
|
Computer Network Support Specialists |
$76,120 |
$62,760 |
|
|
Computer Programmers |
$95,830 |
$93,000 |
|
|
Computer Systems Analysts |
$102,390 |
$99,270 |
|
|
Information Security Analysts |
$126,110 |
$102,600 |
|
|
Network and Computer Systems Administrators |
$106,480 |
$80,600 |
|
|
Software Developers |
$131,240 |
$109,020 |
|
|
Web Developers |
$96,460 |
$78,300 |
Source: BLS OEWS
Cybersecurity Employers in Maryland
Professional Cybersecurity Organizations in Maryland
The links below include resources and opportunities for Maryland cybersecurity students and professionals.
-
Cybersecurity Association of Maryland, Inc.: Founded in 2015, CAMI is a statewide nonprofit group that does advocacy for the cybersecurity field in Maryland and offers educational opportunities to professionals. -
Black Cybersecurity Association: Based in Maryland, this membership organization offers mentorship opportunities, internships, professional development, and training courses. -
CyberMaryland Conference: An annual cybersecurity conference hosted by the CyberMaryland Advisory Board, the CyberMaryland conference brings together industry, academia, and government organizations. -
The Ethical Hackers Club: Started as a Meetup group, TEHC boasts over 4,500 members. Based in Columbia, Maryland, the club brings together people interested in networking and mentoring in the cybersecurity field. -
The DataTribe Cyber Security Meetup: This Meetup group based in Fulton, Maryland, has more than 700 members. The group regularly hosts cybsercurity speakers, followed by a meet-and-greet.
Anne Arundel Community College
Bowie State University
Capitol Technology University
College of Southern Maryland
Community College of Baltimore County
Frostburg State University
Hagerstown Community College
Harford Community College
Hood College
Howard Community College
Johns Hopkins University
Montgomery College
Morgan State University
Mount St. Mary’s University
Prince George’s Community College
SANS Technical Institute
Stevenson University
Towson University
United States Naval Academy
University of Maryland-Baltimore County
University of Maryland-College Park
University of Maryland-University College
Questions About Cybersecurity in Maryland
-
Can I get a degree in cybersecurity in Maryland?
Yes, many Maryland schools offer degrees in cybersecurity. You may find online, in-person, and hybrid options in the state.
-
Are the best cybersecurity schools in Maryland expensive?
The cost of the best cybersecurity schools in Maryland varies. To find the most affordable options, look for public institutions where you can pay in-state tuition.
-
What cybersecurity jobs can I get with a degree in Maryland?
A degree in Maryland can prepare you to apply for various cybersecurity jobs. The specific positions you may qualify for varies depending on your education level, experience, and concentration. Potential careers to consider include information security analyst, cybersecurity consultant, and cybersecurity manager.
-
Can I study cybersecurity in Maryland IT programs?
IT programs in Maryland may offer cybersecurity specializations or tracks. Consult the program directly to find out how much it focuses on cybersecurity and the options for adding a concentration.
Page last reviewed on November 3, 2022
The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by CyberDegrees.org.
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