Rankings / Outcomes
Highest-Paying Colleges for Cybersecurity
- 50
- Schools
- $101,126
- Avg. Earnings
- 90%
- Avg. Graduation
- $28,343
- Avg. Net Price
- $18,752
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $82,592 at the low end to $143,372 at the top. That 1.7× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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Princeton University offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $110,066 against $6,128 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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Cost and quality are not at odds here. The most affordable school, Princeton University at $6,128 a year in net price, delivers earnings of $110,066, matching or exceeding the list average.
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Completion rates separate this field: Harvard University graduates 97% of its students, well above the 90% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Princeton University: graduates owe only 0.09× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. Princeton University ($6,128/yr) and Santa Clara University ($50,062/yr) produce graduates earning $110,066 and $109,183 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $43,934 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, Princeton University outperforms Massachusetts Institute of Technology: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
- Completion is where this ranking's schools diverge most: Harvard University graduates 97% of its students versus 69% at University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis. Access without completion is opportunity unclaimed.
The Takeaway
A consistent pattern: the schools that finish at the top get there by delivering strong earnings, manageable debt, and real mobility rather than by charging more or rejecting more applicants. Those outcomes are what define educational value.
What This Means for Students
For students evaluating these schools, begin with Princeton University and Harvard University. Look past sticker price: pull each school's net price for your income level, compare it against projected earnings, and let the data guide the decision instead of the brand.
Why this ranking matters
Technology is one of the higher-return fields in the economy, but the payoff depends heavily on where you study it. Graduates of these programs earn a median of about $100K within a decade, and cybersecurity analyst roles are projected to grow 33%. We rank programs by the outcomes they produce for graduates, not by reputation.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
- Chetty, R., Friedman, J., Saez, E., Turner, N., & Yagan, D. (2017). Mobility Report Cards: The Role of Colleges in Intergenerational Mobility. NBER Working Paper No. 23618.
- U.S. Department of Education. College Scorecard Data. Federal Student Aid, National Center for Education Statistics.
- National Center for Education Statistics. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Massachusetts Institute of Technology #1 overall | $143,372 ▲ +42% vs avg | $20,111 | 96% | 99 |
| 2 Stanford University #2 overall | $124,080 ▲ +23% vs avg | $13,807 | 92% | 98 |
| 3 Harvey Mudd College #3 overall | $138,687 ▲ +37% vs avg | $35,924 | 93% | 91 |
| $114,862 ▲ +14% vs avg | $31,944 | 93% | 91 | |
| $128,566 ▲ +27% vs avg | $16,075 | 94% | 91 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Highest-Paying Colleges for Cybersecurity
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $101,126 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 90% and an average net price of $28,343.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Princeton University — Net Price: $6,128 | Graduation Rate: 97%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Harvard University — 97% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Massachusetts Institute of Technology — Median alumni earnings: $143,372
Our Analysis Found
The most expensive quartile of colleges costs 373% more than the most affordable — but their graduates earn just 34% more.
Technology Workforce Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the technology workforce?
$98,890
Median earnings (10yr)
93%
Median graduation rate
$28,774
Median net price
2.3%
Avg. mobility rate
Technology hiring rewards ability over credentials more than any other field on this site. Toolchains turn over every few years, so computing and data-science programs compete on employer connections, project-based learning, and curriculum currency. The programs that teach fundamentals and learning agility produce the graduates who last.
Start with the medians across these 50 schools. Graduates earn a median of $98,890 ten years after enrollment, or about $50,890 above the $48,000 a typical American worker earns. The median graduation rate is 93%, and the typical net price (what students pay after grants) runs $28,774 a year with about $19,000 in federal debt. Pell grants reach 18% of students on average, and the average mobility rate, the share of students lifted from the bottom income quintile to the top, is 2.3%.
In tech, what you can do matters more than where you studied. Graduates on this list earn a median of $98,890 ten years after enrollment. Programs with industry partnerships, co-op placements, and current curricula keep delivering through a cyclical hiring market.
The podium
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Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Massachusetts Institute of Technology lands at #1 with a 99/100 composite, led by academic quality (97/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (81/100). Graduates earn a median $143,372 a decade after enrolling, 42% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,111 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Stanford University lands at #2 with a 98/100 composite, led by academic quality (97/100) and pulled down by social mobility (83/100). Graduates earn a median $124,080 a decade after enrolling, 23% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,807 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Harvey Mudd College lands at #3 with a 91/100 composite, led by academic quality (95/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (38/100). Graduates earn a median $138,687 a decade after enrolling, 37% above this list's average, and net price runs $35,924 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Carnegie Mellon University lands at #4 with a 91/100 composite, led by academic quality (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $114,862 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $31,944 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
California Institute of Technology lands at #5 with a 91/100 composite, led by academic quality (96/100) and pulled down by social mobility (82/100). Graduates earn a median $128,566 a decade after enrolling, 27% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,075 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Bentley University lands at #6 with a 91/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (41/100). Graduates earn a median $120,959 a decade after enrolling, 20% above this list's average, and net price runs $37,930 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Princeton University lands at #7 with a 90/100 composite, led by academic quality (95/100) and pulled down by social mobility (83/100). Graduates earn a median $110,066 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $6,128 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
University of Pennsylvania lands at #8 with a 88/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (74/100). Graduates earn a median $111,371 a decade after enrolling, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,699 a year. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Atlanta, GA · 14% accepted · $12,116 net
Why it ranks #9
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus lands at #9 with a 86/100 composite, led by academic quality (87/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (74/100). Graduates earn a median $102,772 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,116 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Saint Louis, MO · 90% accepted · $31,817 net
Why it ranks #10
University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis lands at #10 with a 86/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (93/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $137,047 a decade after enrolling, 36% above this list's average, and net price runs $31,817 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Cornell University lands at #11 with a 85/100 composite, led by academic quality (93/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (72/100). Graduates earn a median $104,043 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,690 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Stevens Institute of Technology lands at #12 with a 85/100 composite, led by academic quality (92/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (31/100). Graduates earn a median $108,772 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $41,346 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Santa Clara University lands at #13 with a 83/100 composite, led by academic quality (87/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (35/100). Graduates earn a median $109,183 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $50,062 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Lehigh University lands at #14 with a 82/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $105,584 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $36,931 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Harvard University lands at #15 with a 82/100 composite, led by academic quality (97/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (74/100). Graduates earn a median $101,817 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,066 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
New York, NY · 4% accepted · $21,590 net
Why it ranks #16
Columbia University in the City of New York lands at #16 with a 82/100 composite, led by academic quality (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (71/100). Graduates earn a median $102,491 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,590 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute lands at #17 with a 81/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (38/100). Graduates earn a median $102,051 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $36,228 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Claremont McKenna College lands at #18 with a 81/100 composite, led by academic quality (95/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $104,736 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,849 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Boston College lands at #19 with a 81/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (87/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $103,937 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $41,704 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
Yale University lands at #20 with a 81/100 composite, led by academic quality (92/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $100,533 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,777 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Georgetown University lands at #21 with a 80/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (88/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (61/100). Graduates earn a median $103,494 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $40,815 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Duke University lands at #22 with a 79/100 composite, led by academic quality (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (73/100). Graduates earn a median $97,800 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $29,612 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Worcester Polytechnic Institute lands at #23 with a 79/100 composite, led by academic quality (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (32/100). Graduates earn a median $103,470 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $43,071 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
University of Notre Dame lands at #24 with a 79/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (65/100). Graduates earn a median $99,980 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $26,780 a year. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
Colorado School of Mines lands at #25 with a 79/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $97,335 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $28,690 a year. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
Dartmouth College lands at #26 with a 78/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (72/100). Graduates earn a median $97,434 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $29,519 a year. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
Brown University lands at #27 with a 77/100 composite, led by academic quality (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (78/100). Graduates earn a median $93,487 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $25,184 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
Villanova University lands at #28 with a 77/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (41/100). Graduates earn a median $100,423 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $43,756 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
University of Chicago lands at #29 with a 75/100 composite, led by academic quality (92/100) and pulled down by social mobility (83/100). Graduates earn a median $91,885 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,860 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
Vanderbilt University lands at #30 with a 75/100 composite, led by academic quality (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (80/100). Graduates earn a median $91,565 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,846 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Terre Haute, IN · 77% accepted · $42,513 net
Why it ranks #31
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology lands at #31 with a 75/100 composite, led by academic quality (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (31/100). Graduates earn a median $101,253 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $42,513 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
Rice University lands at #32 with a 74/100 composite, led by academic quality (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (81/100). Graduates earn a median $89,718 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,370 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #33
Northeastern University lands at #33 with a 74/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $92,538 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $30,915 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
Washington and Lee University lands at #34 with a 74/100 composite, led by academic quality (89/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (74/100). Graduates earn a median $94,810 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,781 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
Kettering University lands at #35 with a 74/100 composite, led by academic quality (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (38/100). Graduates earn a median $94,823 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $34,660 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #36
University of Southern California lands at #36 with a 73/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $92,498 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $32,740 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #37
Northwestern University lands at #37 with a 73/100 composite, led by academic quality (87/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (71/100). Graduates earn a median $89,363 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $29,167 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #38
Johns Hopkins University lands at #38 with a 73/100 composite, led by academic quality (93/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (82/100). Graduates earn a median $87,555 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,809 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #39
Williams College lands at #39 with a 72/100 composite, led by academic quality (93/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (81/100). Graduates earn a median $88,665 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,716 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #40
Bucknell University lands at #40 with a 72/100 composite, led by academic quality (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $93,807 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $40,766 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #41
Lafayette College lands at #41 with a 72/100 composite, led by academic quality (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $91,410 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $34,433 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #42
New Jersey Institute of Technology lands at #42 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $84,276 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,504 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #43
George Washington University lands at #43 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $90,873 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $36,586 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #44
University of California-Berkeley lands at #44 with a 71/100 composite, led by academic quality (90/100) and pulled down by social mobility (64/100). Graduates earn a median $92,446 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,481 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #45
Washington University in St Louis lands at #45 with a 70/100 composite, led by academic quality (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (76/100). Graduates earn a median $86,182 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,786 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #46
Wellesley College lands at #46 with a 70/100 composite, led by academic quality (92/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (75/100). Graduates earn a median $84,803 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $25,496 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #47
Milwaukee School of Engineering lands at #47 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $89,070 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,453 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #48
Case Western Reserve University lands at #48 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $87,989 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $41,190 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #49
University of San Francisco lands at #49 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (31/100). Graduates earn a median $89,812 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $41,431 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #50
Illinois Institute of Technology lands at #50 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (62/100). Graduates earn a median $82,592 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,425 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 50 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs — and the jobs are
Top states on this list
Where these graduates work
Graduates of these programs most often become Cybersecurity Analysts and related roles — a field with $120,360 median pay and 33% projected growth.
See the Cybersecurity Analyst career guide →Choosing a college is a significant decision, especially when considering potential earnings after graduation. For students interested in cybersecurity, the right program can lead to lucrative job opportunities. The following list highlights 50 colleges known for their strong outcomes in this field, with graduates earning an average of $99,676.
What sets these institutions apart is their focus on key metrics that matter to prospective students. High graduation rates, manageable debt levels, and strong post-graduation earnings all play a critical role. As you read through the rankings, consider how each school's unique characteristics align with your goals for both education and future earnings.
Take, for example, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Princeton University. MIT graduates earn an impressive $143,372 on average, but they also face a higher net price of $20,111 compared to Princeton's significantly lower $6,128. This contrast underscores the importance of not just potential earnings but also the costs involved in pursuing a degree at these top-tier institutions.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 47 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 2.3%. New Jersey Institute of Technology leads the group at 6.5%, with Stevens Institute of Technology (4.3%) and University of Southern California (3.9%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 4.2% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Brown University leads at 11.5%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 55.8% across this list. Kettering University posts the highest success rate at 74.7%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.80 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Claremont McKenna College reaches 1.90, the highest on the list.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
Where These Schools Are Located
When examining the data, a notable pattern emerges between the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvey Mudd College. While MIT graduates report the highest earnings at $143,372, Harvey Mudd students also see significant success with an average of $138,687. However, this comes with a higher net price of $35,924, compared to MIT's $20,111. This tradeoff highlights the importance of weighing potential salary against the financial commitment required.
Now that you've explored the rankings, consider how to apply this information to your own situation. Think about your priorities: Is financial stability your primary concern, or do you value the reputation of the program and campus culture more? Reflect on your personal situation and how each school matches your goals, whether that’s location, program fit, or affordability.
Ultimately, this data reveals much about the journey from college to career. A degree in cybersecurity can lead to a stable life, but choosing the right school requires careful consideration. One family's choice may hinge on finding the balance between cost and earning potential, illustrating the realities of higher education today.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Highest-Paying Colleges for Cybersecurity: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Highest-Paying Colleges for Cybersecurity ranking? +
Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, MA ranks #1 in our 2026 Highest-Paying Colleges for Cybersecurity ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $143,372 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 96% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Massachusetts Institute of Technology posts the highest median earnings on this list: $143,372 ten years after enrollment, well above the $101,126 average across the 50 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Princeton University leads: graduates earn a median $110,066 against net price of about $6,128 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Harvard University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 97%, compared with a 90% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $28,343 a year across the 50 ranked schools with cost data. Princeton University is among the most affordable at roughly $6,128. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Highest-Paying Colleges for Cybersecurity ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 50 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
Chetty, R., Friedman, J., Saez, E., Turner, N., & Yagan, D. (2017). Mobility Report Cards: The Role of Colleges in Intergenerational Mobility. NBER Working Paper No. 23618. →
U.S. Department of Education. College Scorecard Data. Federal Student Aid, National Center for Education Statistics. →
National Center for Education Statistics. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). →
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