Capella University Online Master of Science in Cybersecurity and Applied AI

This is a fully online master's degree for someone with a bachelor's degree who wants to pair security skills with applied artificial intelligence, and who values a flexible, self-directed format. At $735 per credit across 48 quarter credits, Capella estimates $35,280 in tuition. It suits people who already work in IT and want certification support and labs. It's less suited to anyone who needs a low price or live classes.

Capella University is a private for-profit online university based in Minneapolis. Federal data shows 100% of its students study exclusively online, so it's built for remote learners. It holds institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission.

This degree is the only cybersecurity program Capella has on this site, so there's no sibling to compare it with. What sets it apart from a standard security master's is the Applied AI half of the name.

Capella says its labs apply cybersecurity and AI to real-world scenarios, which is a different pitch from the defense-only curriculum at many other schools. If you want a plain security master's with deep management or policy coursework, read the other master's programs on this site side by side.

You'd earn a Master of Science in Cybersecurity and Applied AI from a university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Capella states that the National Security Agency has designated it a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD). Some government jobs and scholarships look for that designation, so confirm how it applies to this particular degree.

Federal outcome data is worth reading carefully. Capella's graduation rate is 20%, and a second measure that tracks transfer-in students puts completion at 41%. Both are school-wide, not specific to this program. Graduates in this field at Capella have median earnings of $112,573 in federal Scorecard data.

Where this degree can lead: Cybersecurity Degree Jobs.

Who It Fits

• You have a bachelor's degree with a 2.3 GPA or higher and want a master's without a GRE or GMAT requirement.
• You hold or plan to earn a certification. Capella says CISSP preparation is part of the program, and it quotes $8,770 in potential savings for students who bring a Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) credential.
• You want the flexibility of 1 to 3 courses per 10-week quarter and weekly assignments instead of live class meetings.
• You're a servicemember or veteran who can use the 10% military discount offered in select programs and learning formats.

Who Should Skip It

• Cost is your main concern. At $735 per credit, this is priced well above public university master's programs.
• You want live evening classes. The format is built around weekly assignments and courseroom discussions.
• You want a degree focused on policy or management rather than technical and AI-based work.

The degree has 11 core courses and one capstone, for 48 quarter credits. Capella describes the coursework as weekly assignments and courseroom discussions, backed by hands-on virtual labs that apply cybersecurity and AI to realistic scenarios. Ask for the full course sequence before you enroll.

The certification angle is a real strength. Capella says the program prepares you for credentials such as the CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional), and that eligible students receive exam vouchers from CompTIA, Cisco and SAS. A voucher covers the exam fee, which is a concrete saving. The capstone comes after the core courses and is where you pull the pieces together into one project.

Standout Features

• Capella is designated by the NSA as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD)
• Eligible students receive certification exam vouchers from CompTIA, Cisco and SAS
• Hands-on virtual labs apply cybersecurity and AI to real-world scenarios

The rate is $735 per quarter credit, and Capella estimates $35,280 in tuition for the 48 credits. A $175 resource kit is added on top. Capella calls the figure an estimate effective July 13, 2026, and it's subject to change, so ask for a current quote.

There are two ways to pay less. Students with a CEH certification can save $8,770 in the GuidedPath format, and the 10% military discount applies in select programs and learning formats. Capella also accepts up to 12 transfer credits, and every credit you transfer in is a credit you don't pay for at $735. Ask whether your discounts stack and how the savings change if you transfer the maximum.

48 quarter credits at $735 a credit comes to $35,280 in tuition, before fees.

Capella uses a quarter system with 10-week quarters, and you take 1 to 3 courses in each. The GuidedPath format is the one Capella prices on this page, with weekly assignments and discussions that set your pace. Capella lists the format as asynchronous, which means you don't need to be online at a set hour.

That structure is a good fit for working professionals who can't commit to class times. The cost is accountability. Without live sessions, the weekly deadlines and your own discipline keep you on track. Ask how quickly instructors respond to questions and how much support you get in the labs.

The full rubric is on the methodology page.

• At $735 per credit plus a $175 resource kit, the total is high for a master's degree.
• Capella's federal graduation rate is 20%, so many students who start don't finish.
• The format is asynchronous, which suits busy adults but gives you less live interaction with instructors and classmates.

• Can I see the list of all 11 core courses and the capstone requirements?
• Do the CEH savings of $8,770 and the 10% military discount stack, and which learning format do they apply to?
• How many of the 12 transfer credits can I bring in, and how do I apply?
• Which certification exam vouchers can I claim, and when in the program do they become available?
• How are the virtual labs delivered, and how do they combine cybersecurity with AI?
• What do students who finish typically do after the capstone, and does the school help with placement?

Online university based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

• Best Cybersecurity and AI Degrees Rank 3 of 7, master's
• Best for Military Students Rank 7 of 10, master's
• Best Online Programs in Minnesota Rank 2 of 4, master's

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