University of Maryland Cybersecurity Center
- Acceptance Rate
- 65.0%
- SAT Range
- 1050–1250
- ACT Range
- N/A
- Avg GPA
- 3.25
- Size
- N/A
- Type
- N/A
- Student:Faculty
- N/A
- Setting
- N/A
- Graduation Rate
- N/A
- Retention Rate
- N/A
- Tuition (In-State)
- N/A
- Tuition (Int'l)
- N/A
Student Life & Environment
Graduate students in cybersecurity join an active community of researchers united by shared interest in security challenges. MC2 provides physical space where students from different research groups interact, attend seminars, and build professional relationships. The annual symposium brings together students, faculty, and external visitors for research presentations and networking. The broader College Park campus offers extensive resources and activities typical of major research universities. Graduate student housing options include university apartments and abundant private rentals in the College Park area. Metro accessibility enables car-free living for many students, with the Green Line connecting to downtown Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C.'s proximity provides extraordinary advantages beyond career opportunities. World-class museums, monuments, and cultural institutions offer free or affordable entertainment. The diverse restaurant scene, vibrant neighborhoods, and international character create endless exploration opportunities. Professional events bring security practitioners to the area regularly, providing networking opportunities. Student organizations cater to security interests specifically. The Cybersecurity Club organizes competitions, workshops, and social events. Capture-the-flag teams compete nationally and internationally, developing practical skills through hands-on challenges. These activities build both technical capabilities and the professional networks that serve graduates throughout careers. The combination of research intensity and D.C. access creates a unique environment. Students balance laboratory work with agency visits, conference attendance, and policy engagement. The rhythm differs from programs in isolated college towns, offering both advantages of metropolitan access and challenges of maintaining focus amid distractions.
Location & Surroundings
The University of Maryland, College Park campus spans 1,250 acres in the Maryland suburbs approximately 10 miles northeast of downtown Washington, D.C. The location places students near the heart of the nation's cybersecurity ecosystem, with Fort Meade (NSA headquarters), NIST in Gaithersburg, and numerous government agencies and contractors within easy reach. The Washington, D.C. metropolitan area offers abundant housing, dining, entertainment, and cultural options across Maryland, Virginia, and the District itself. College Park proper provides typical college town amenities along with improving dining and retail options. Many students choose to live in D.C. or other parts of the region, using Metro for commutes. Climate features four distinct seasons with hot, humid summers and moderately cold winters. Spring and fall offer pleasant conditions ideal for enjoying the region's extensive outdoor amenities. Summer humidity can be oppressive for those unaccustomed to Mid-Atlantic conditions. Snow occurs but varies substantially year to year. Transportation centers on the Metro system, which connects College Park to downtown D.C. and surrounding suburbs. The recently opened Purple Line will enhance east-west connections. Cars remain useful for reaching some destinations but are not essential for campus-centered life. The university operates shuttle services connecting campus areas and the Metro station. Cost of living in the D.C. area exceeds national averages but remains below coastal tech hubs like San Francisco and New York. Housing represents the primary expense, with wide variation depending on location preferences and willingness to commute. The area offers options across the price spectrum from affordable shared housing to luxury apartments.
Costs & Career Outcomes
Funded doctoral students receive tuition waivers plus stipends adequate for living in the College Park area. Current stipend levels approximate $35,000-40,000 annually, though rates vary by funding source. This support continues throughout doctoral studies contingent on satisfactory progress. Research and teaching assistantship positions provide the majority of funded positions. Master's students typically pay tuition out of pocket or through employer sponsorship. In-state tuition rates apply to Maryland residents, while out-of-state and international students pay significantly higher rates. The professional Master of Engineering program carries tuition reflecting the career value of the credential. Students should clarify funding expectations during admission. Career outcomes for Maryland cybersecurity graduates reflect both the field's demand and the program's excellent positioning. Graduates join government agencies (NSA, CISA, FBI, national laboratories), major technology companies (Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Apple), security firms (CrowdStrike, Palo Alto Networks, Mandiant), and defense contractors. The D.C. location creates direct hiring pipelines through internships and recruiting relationships. Salary outcomes vary by sector but uniformly exceed average graduate outcomes. Industry positions typically start above $120,000, with rapid advancement for strong performers. Government positions offer competitive compensation plus benefits, job security, and loan forgiveness programs. Academic placements include tenure-track positions at research universities nationwide. The alumni network provides career-long value through connections across the security community. Former students working in agencies, companies, and academia create mentorship relationships and hiring opportunities. The regional concentration of cybersecurity activity means encountering fellow alumni regularly at professional events and in daily work.
Campus Location
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