Application Deadlines
Fall: Rolling admissions through Aug 1 (domestic & U.S-based international applicants)
Spring: Sep 15
Summer: n/a
School/Department
Computer Science
Contact
gradadmissions@tufts.edu
Location
Medford/Somerville
Format
On-campusCommitment Options
Full-timePart-time (Daytime)
Average Duration
12 - 24 months
Credits
30
What Will You Study?
Students study the technical foundations of cybersecurity while also examining the ethical, legal, civic, and social contexts in which security decisions are made. Students may also tailor the program through electives and experiential learning opportunities aligned with their academic and professional goals.
Coursework may address topics such as:
- Security algorithms
- Vulnerability assessment
- Defensive technologies
- Cryptography
- Network security
- Secure systems
- Trusted and responsible artificial intelligence
- Privacy in the digital age
- Cybersecurity in the civil sector
- International cyber conflict
- Programming languages
- Database systems
- Cloud computing
- Computer architecture
About the Department of Computer Science
The M.S. in Cybersecurity is developed by Tufts’ Department of Computer Science, which supports interdisciplinary graduate study across computing, security, artificial intelligence, data science, software systems, human-computer interaction, human-robot interaction, and public-interest technology.
Faculty expertise connected to cybersecurity includes privacy, secure computation, database security, programming languages, software engineering, cybersecurity policy, communications surveillance, hardware security, trusted AI, mobile security, secure development, and human-centered security.
Cybersecurity for Public Good
Tufts’ Cybersecurity Center for the Public Good advances research and education focused on the civic and societal impact of technology. M.S. in Cybersecurity students benefit from an environment that connects technical cybersecurity with ethics, policy, privacy, and public-interest problem solving.
Hands-On Learning Through the Cybersecurity Clinic
Students may have the opportunity to earn elective credit through the Tufts Cybersecurity Clinic, which provides pro bono cybersecurity services to nonprofit and under-resourced organizations. Through clinic work, students can apply classroom learning to real-world challenges in areas such as security training, risk mitigation, response planning, source code review, vulnerability assessment, and penetration testing.
Interdisciplinary Learning
Cybersecurity at Tufts connects the Department of Computer Science with partners across the School of Engineering, The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tisch College of Civic Life, the School of Medicine, and the Tufts Institute for Artificial Intelligence. This interdisciplinary approach helps students understand both technical systems and the broader contexts in which cybersecurity decisions affect people, organizations, and society.
Boston and Cambridge Location
Tufts’ Medford/Somerville campus is located near Boston and Cambridge, giving students access to one of the nation’s leading technology, research, policy, and innovation regions. Students can benefit from proximity to employers, startups, public-sector organizations, research institutions, and professional networks.
What Can You Do With an M.S. in Cybersecurity?
Graduates may pursue security, systems, research, technical, or policy-focused roles in areas such as cybersecurity, information security, secure systems, vulnerability assessment, penetration testing, network security, privacy, software security, cloud security, risk management, government, and consulting. Career outcomes vary based on a student’s background, focus area, thesis or non-thesis pathway, technical experience, internship or co-op experience, and professional goals.
Possible paths may include:
- Cybersecurity analyst
- Information security analyst
- Security engineer
- Network security engineer
- Cloud security engineer
- Software security engineer
- Vulnerability assessment analyst
- Penetration tester
- Cybersecurity policy analyst
- PhD student or research scientist in training
What is the Career Outlook?
Cybersecurity skills are relevant across information security, secure software systems, risk management, cloud security, research, and advanced computing.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, information security analysts had a median annual wage of $124,910 in May 2024. Employment in this occupation is projected to grow 29 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Average Salary: $115,000+
Projected Job Growth (2024-2034): 29%
*Sources: Average salary and projected job growth statistics are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Can Cybersecurity Students Complete a Co-op?
Eligible M.S. in Cybersecurity students may have the opportunity to participate in the School of Engineering Graduate Cooperative Education Program. The co-op can allow students to apply classroom concepts to real-world engineering and cybersecurity challenges, gain up to six months of full-time professional experience, and build professional connections.
What Background Do Applicants Need?
Students with an interest in cybersecurity and a bachelor’s degree in a related field are encouraged to apply. Applicants without a background in computer science, mathematics, or programming may wish to consider the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Computer Science as preparation for graduate study.
Are Scholarships Available?
The School of Engineering offers partial tuition scholarships for a select group of Engineering master’s and certificate programs. When you apply for admission, you’ll automatically be considered, there’s no separate scholarship application or additional information required. Applicants are encouraged to apply early for priority scholarship consideration.
Is the GRE Required?
No. GRE scores are not required for the M.S. in Cybersecurity.
How Do I Apply?
Applicants can apply online through Tufts Graduate Admissions Portal. Required materials typically include transcripts, a resume or CV, letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose. International applicants may also need to submit English proficiency documentation. Visit the admissions page for current deadlines and application requirements.
Tuition & Financial Aid
At Tufts University, we believe every qualified applicant deserves the opportunity to pursue graduate study. We are dedicated to helping you understand your financial options and to ensuring that graduate education at Tufts is both accessible and within reach.
Tuition costs for this graduate program are billed at a per credit rate:
| Estimated Tuition for MS Program | |
|---|---|
| Tuition* | $1,799 per credit |
| Total Credits Required | 30 |
| Enrollment Status | Full-Time: 3-4 courses per semester (9-12 credits) Part-Time: 1-2 courses per semester (3-6 credits) |
| Estimated Tuition per Semester | Full-Time: $16,191 - $21,588 per semester (9-12 credits) Part-Time: $5,397 - $10,794 per semester (3-6 credits) |
| Estimated Total Tuition* | $53,970 |
*Estimated based on 2025-2026 tuition rates. Rates are subject to change each academic year. For further information about the full cost of attendance, including additional fees and estimated indirect costs (housing, transportation, etc.), please visit Student Financial Services.
The Tufts University School of Engineering offers partial, merit-based tuition scholarships for the majority of our graduate and certificate programs. All applicants are automatically considered for these awards as part of our holistic admissions review process—no separate scholarship application or additional materials are required.
Additional funding opportunities may include Tufts Double Jumbo Scholarships for Tufts graduates, Bridge Program Scholarships for students and alumni from select partner institutions, and veteran and military education benefits for eligible service members and their dependents, including participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program.
To further support your investment in a Tufts graduate education, a range of financing options are available, including federal and private student loans. For more details, please visit our Graduate Financial Aid page.
