Auburn Engineering's online cybersecurity engineering graduate program draws No. 7 national ranking
Published: Jan 28, 2026 8:00 AM
By Joe McAdory
Auburn Engineering’s online Master of Science in Cybersecurity Engineering program offers technically rigorous training in network security, digital forensics, cloud systems and reverse engineering, culminating in a required project focused on protecting and defending complex digital systems.
This approach has drawn national attention.
Programs.com, a New York–based education platform that evaluates top cybersecurity offerings across the U.S. based on curriculum strength, career outcomes, affordability and overall academic reputation, ranked the program — housed within the college’s Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering (CSSE) — No. 7 nationally in its 2026 rankings of top online master’s programs.
“This latest ranking maintains Auburn University among the nation’s leading institutions preparing engineers to secure increasingly complex digital systems,” said CSSE Chair Hari Narayanan. “As cyber threats continue to grow in scale and sophistication, the demand for engineers with deep technical cybersecurity expertise is surging across industry, government and defense, and this recognition reflects the strength and relevance of the education our program provides.”
Programs.com wrote, “Employers will pay attention when they see Auburn.”
“The balance of research and practical skills can be seen in the content of this master’s course,” according to Programs.com. “The academic credentials are great for those targeting subsequent PhD-level education, while a capstone project will appeal to practitioners.”
The ranking agency also praised Auburn for being one of only 11 institutions nationally to hold three National Center of Academic Excellence Designations in Cybersecurity Education: cyber operations, cyber defense and cyber research.
The 33-credit-hour program is available fully online, on campus or in a hybrid format, making it accessible to working professionals and full-time students. Coursework spans advanced operating systems, secure cloud computing, digital forensics, computer and network security, cybersecurity threats and countermeasures, software reverse engineering and advanced defensive techniques.
Students culminate their studies with a capstone engineering project that integrates theory with real-world problem solving.
The Programs.com ranking builds on recent national recognition. On Tuesday, Jan. 27, U.S. News and World Report ranked Auburn Engineering’s online graduate program in computer science and software engineering No. 17 nationally, placing it within the top 16 percent and No. 11 among public institutions.
For more information about Auburn University’s online Master of Science in Cybersecurity Engineering and all online and continuing education programs within the college, visit eng.auburn.edu/online.
Media Contact: , jem0040@auburn.edu, 334.844.3447
The 33-credit-hour program is available fully online, on campus or in a hybrid format, making it accessible to both working professionals and full-time students.
