Is a Master's Degree in Cybersecurity Worth It?
- Kyser Clark
- Jun 1
- 4 min read
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, college isn’t the golden ticket to a cybersecurity career, but it can still be a powerful tool when used strategically. Today, I’m diving into whether a master’s degree in cybersecurity is worth it in 2025. I recently completed my own MS in Cybersecurity, so this article draws directly from my own experience, not theory. It's not a recruiter's sales pitch, and it's definitely not what universities want you to hear.
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TL;DR
A master’s degree in cybersecurity can help you, but it won’t carry you. It might get you in the door or bump you ahead of another applicant, but without real skills, certs, or experience, it won’t save you. If you’re comfortable financially and already actively learning hands-on skills, it’s a solid option. Otherwise, think twice.
How Much Does a Cybersecurity Master’s Degree Actually Help?
Let’s be real, degrees are still mentioned in about 90% of cybersecurity job postings. And yes, in some roles, having a degree might reduce the required years of experience. But just because it helps on paper doesn’t mean it makes you a better hacker, defender, or security analyst.
If you don’t have a degree, you're not doomed. You’ll just need to lean harder on certs, projects, and hands-on experience to stand out. And let me be clear: not having a degree is a small disadvantage, not a deal-breaker.
What Does a Master's Degree Prove?
A degree doesn’t prove you're elite in cybersecurity. What it does prove is:
You can stick with a long-term project.
You can meet deadlines.
You can research, write, and communicate at a professional level.
These are all soft skills that matter, especially in jobs that require documentation, reporting, or policy work.
What You'll Actually Learn
Most cybersecurity master’s programs will teach you:
Terminology and frameworks (think NIST, ISO, etc.)
Professional software (Microsoft Office, collaboration tools)
How to write reports, research papers, and maybe build some basic projects
Even at the master’s level, most of it is not hands-on. You’ll write a lot more papers than code, and most technical assignments are step-by-step instructions, not challenges that build real-world problem-solving skills.
Bottom line? Don’t expect to come out of a master’s program with deep hands-on hacking skills. If you want that, you need TryHackMe, Hack The Box, and technical certs.
Time Commitment: A Reality Check
Let’s break it down with my numbers:
Bachelor's Degree: ~2,080 hours over 4 years (I reduced the number of required classes thanks to Basic Military Training, Client Systems Technical School, Client Systems upgrade training, and a combination of CLEP exams, DSSTs, and cybersecurity certifications like Security+, CCNA, and CEH.)
Master’s Degree: ~460 hours over 1 year and 9 months
Average Certification: ~100 - 150 hours of study time
OSCP (for me): ~400 hours
My master’s was far easier than my bachelor’s. No exams. No quizzes. Fewer discussion posts. Mostly research paper writing. It was almost self-paced, and I could work on my projects on my own schedule (for the most part). I skipped most of the required reading because I already had the knowledge from my real-world work and certs.
If you're starting fresh? Expect to spend way more time than I did. You’ll need to consume all the material, possibly multiple times, to truly grasp it. Cybersecurity isn't easy; it pays well for a reason.
The Price Tag
Here’s the hard truth: degrees are expensive.
Compare that to a certification that costs approximately $500 to $2000 and takes two to five months (depends on the cert).
I paid zero out-of-pocket thanks to Military Tuition Assistance and the GI Bill. If I didn’t have those benefits? I wouldn’t have gone. Period.
Hot Take: Do not go into debt for a cybersecurity degree. You can build a killer career without one.
Does the School Matter?
Not as much as you think. Employers rarely care where you went unless it’s an Ivy League name, and even then, only in some circles.
What matters more?
Regional accreditation (don’t go to a nationally accredited school)
Pro tip: If I could do it all over again, I’d go to WGU or SANS.edu. These programs let you earn industry certs while completing your degree. I did my certs separately, and honestly, it was inefficient.
The Future of Degrees in Cybersecurity
Degrees are slowly losing relevance.
Certifications and hands-on skills are gaining ground fast. That trend won’t stop anytime soon.
My Final Verdict
Here’s my advice, stripped of fluff:
✅ If you can comfortably afford a master’s degree AND still have time to do certifications and hands-on labs, go for it.
❌ If getting a degree means you won’t have time for hands-on training, skip the degree.
❌ If you have to take on debt, skip the degree.
In my experience, TryHackMe, Hack The Box, and certifications have taught me more practical skills than both of my degrees combined.
I’m not anti-degree. I'm happy to hold both a master's and a bachelor's in cybersecurity. I'm just sharing my opinion on the best use of time and money, based on my experiences.
Cybersecurity Degree Matrix
Related Read:
If you want a deeper breakdown of the four-year cybersecurity degree, check out my earlier post: Is a Cybersecurity Bachelor's Degree Worth It?
If you found this article helpful, share it with someone who's considering going back to school. And if you want real, honest cybersecurity career advice, no fluff, no BS, subscribe to my YouTube channel and sign up for my newsletter.
See you in the next one.
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