University of Maryland Global Campus’s Snapshot Card
14+
Online master’s programs
$499
Per credit hour
~$18k
Typical total cost
8 wk
Terms · multiple starts/yr
Key policies
Institution type
Public, nonprofit
Regional accreditation
MSCHE
Admissions model
Rolling — no fixed deadlines
GRE/GMAT required
Not required
Military rates
Available (TA-aligned pricing)
Notable Programmatic Accreditations
- NSA/DHS CAE-CD
- Edited By Jeevan D'Souza
Start Here: Compare UMGC by What Matters Most
- Compare institutional strengths → Particularly strong in cybersecurity, IT, homeland security, intelligence management, and military-aligned graduate programs
- Compare accreditation → MSCHE regional accreditation plus NSA/DHS CAE-CD designation for cybersecurity programs
- Compare affordability → Public-university online tuition at ~$499 per credit regardless of residency, with reduced military tuition rates available
- Compare student fit → Strongest for military-affiliated students, government professionals, and working adults seeking flexible low-cost public-university credentials
- Compare alternatives → Western Governors University, Southern New Hampshire University, Penn State World Campus, and UMass Global
UMGC at a Glance
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Institution Type | Public, nonprofit |
| University System | University System of Maryland |
| Regional Accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) |
| Founded | 1947 (originally as the College of Special and Continuation Studies, serving military personnel overseas) |
| Headquarters | Adelphi, Maryland — all master’s programs delivered fully online |
| Total Enrollment | ~55,000+ students (one of the largest public online universities in the U.S.) |
| Online Master’s Programs | 14+ distinct programs across business, cybersecurity, IT, education, healthcare, and environmental management |
| Tuition Per Credit (Online) | $499 — same rate for in-state and out-of-state online students |
| Military Tuition Rate | Reduced rate available for active-duty servicemembers (varies; often aligned with DoD Tuition Assistance caps) |
| Admissions Model | Rolling — no GRE or GMAT required for any master’s program |
| Start Date Frequency | Multiple starts per year (sessions begin roughly every 8 weeks) |
| Notable Designations | NSA/DHS National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD); consistently ranked among top military-friendly institutions by Military Times and G.I. Jobs |
What UMGC Is Known For
UMGC is not a traditional university that has added an online program. It was built from the ground up to serve adult learners — originally military personnel stationed overseas — and that DNA still defines the institution more than 75 years later. Here’s what concretely sets UMGC apart in the online master’s landscape:
Military and veteran infrastructure that goes beyond a yellow ribbon sticker.
UMGC doesn’t just accept GI Bill benefits — it has physical offices on military installations worldwide, dedicated military advisors, and tuition structures specifically aligned with Department of Defense Tuition Assistance caps. For active-duty servicemembers and veterans, this isn’t a university that accommodates military life; it was designed around it.
Cybersecurity and IT programs with federal-grade credibility.
UMGC holds the NSA/DHS National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense designation, which is a meaningful signal in government and defense hiring. The university offers both a management-track and a technical-track cybersecurity master’s — a level of specialization most online universities don’t match. Its proximity (institutional and geographic) to the D.C./Fort Meade/NSA corridor gives these programs real-world employer connections that matter.
Public university tuition at a flat online rate.
UMGC charges $499 per credit for all online master’s students regardless of state residency. For a 36-credit program, that’s roughly $17,964 total — significantly below what Penn State World Campus charges and competitive with Western Governors University ‘s flat-rate model, though structured differently.
Generous transfer credit policies.
UMGC typically accepts up to 6 transfer credits for master’s programs, and its credit-for-experience evaluation pathways are more developed than most traditional universities offer. For mid-career professionals who have prior graduate coursework or professional certifications, this can meaningfully shorten the time to completion.
Rolling admissions with no standardized test requirements.
No program at UMGC requires the GRE or GMAT. Combined with starting roughly every eight weeks, UMGC removes most of the friction that slows down enrollment for working adults.
University System of Maryland affiliation.
UMGC operates within the same system as the University of Maryland, College Park, which provides institutional credibility that purely online universities often lack, particularly with government employers and within the Mid-Atlantic region.
Online Master’s Programs by Subject
UMGC offers 14 online master’s programs organized across five main subject areas. Every program follows the same structure: 36 credit hours, $499 per credit, rolling admissions, no GRE/GMAT, and fully online delivery.
| Program | Degree | Credits | Est. Total Cost | Concentrations | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Business Administration | MBA | 36 | $17,964 | None | Broad generalist MBA. No GMAT required. Not AACSB accredited. |
| MS in Management | MS | 36 | $17,964 | Acquisition & Supply Chain Management, Homeland Security Management, Information Systems & Services, Interdisciplinary Studies, Intelligence Management, Project Management | Strong alignment with government and defense sectors. |
| MS in Accounting and Financial Management | MS | 36 | $17,964 | None | Combines accounting and finance. Not a standalone MAcc for CPA-track students. |
| MS in Transformational Leadership | MS | 36 | $17,964 | None | Leadership-focused program for mid-career professionals. |
UMGC’s cybersecurity programs are among its strongest offerings. If you’re evaluating online cybersecurity master’s programs , the distinction between the management track and the technology track is worth understanding — they serve different career paths.
| Program | Degree | Credits | Est. Total Cost | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MS in Cybersecurity Management and Policy | MS | 36 | $17,964 | Management and policy focus — not hands-on technical. NSA/DHS CAE-CD designated. |
| MS in Cybersecurity Technology | MS | 36 | $17,964 | Technical counterpart to the management program. NSA/DHS CAE-CD designated. |
| Program | Degree | Credits | Est. Total Cost | Concentrations | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MS in Information Technology | MS | 36 | $17,964 | Database Systems Technology, Informatics, Software Engineering | General IT degree with optional concentrations. |
| MS in Data Analytics | MS | 36 | $17,964 | None | Applied analytics focus. Not a pure data science/ML degree. |
| MS in Cloud Computing Architecture | MS | 36 | $17,964 | None | Specialized cloud computing program — relatively uncommon at the master’s level online. |
| Program | Degree | Credits | Est. Total Cost | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Education in Instructional Technology | MEd | 36 | $17,964 | Technology integration in education. Does not lead to initial teaching licensure. |
| MS in Learning Design and Technology | MS | 36 | $17,964 | Instructional design and e-learning focus. Industry-oriented, not just K-12. |
| Program | Degree | Credits | Est. Total Cost | Concentrations | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MS in Healthcare Administration | MS | 36 | $17,964 | None | Administration-focused. Not CAHME accredited. |
| MS in Biotechnology | MS | 36 | $17,964 | Bioinformatics, Biosecurity & Biodefense, Regulatory Affairs | Unusual online biotechnology master’s. Defense/regulatory-sector alignment. |
| Program | Degree | Credits | Est. Total Cost | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MS in Environmental Management | MS | 36 | $17,964 | Policy and management approach. Not a traditional environmental science lab degree. |
For a broader view of online master’s programs available in Maryland beyond UMGC, including options from other state institutions, see our Maryland state guide.
How UMGC Compares
UMGC occupies a specific niche: public-university credentialing, low cost, strong military alignment, and particular depth in cybersecurity/IT. Here’s how it stacks up against the institutions most prospective students compare it to.
| Factor | UMGC | Western Governors University | Southern New Hampshire University | Penn State World Campus | UMass Global |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Institution Type | Public nonprofit | Private nonprofit | Private nonprofit | Public nonprofit | Private nonprofit |
| Tuition Model | $499/credit | ~$4,500/6-month term (flat rate) | ~$627/credit | ~$750–$900+/credit (varies by program) | ~$550–$700/credit (varies) |
| Est. Total Cost (36 cr.) | ~$17,964 | ~$9,000–$13,500 (pace-dependent) | ~$22,572 | ~$27,000–$32,400+ | ~$19,800–$25,200 |
| Program Breadth | Moderate (14 programs) | Broad (50+ programs) | Very broad (150+ programs) | Broad (70+ programs) | Moderate (30+ programs) |
| Cybersecurity/IT Depth | Strong — NSA/DHS CAE-CD, dual-track cyber programs | Solid — IT programs with certs | Limited | Moderate — IST programs | Limited |
| Military Support | Exceptional — built for military learners | Strong — military-friendly | Strong — Yellow Ribbon, military rates | Moderate | Strong — historically military-focused |
| Accreditation Prestige | Middle States (respected, not elite) | WGU’s NWCCU (accepted, sometimes questioned by employers) | NECHE (solid regional) | Middle States + Penn State name | WASC Senior (solid regional) |
| Admissions Flexibility | No GRE, rolling starts every ~8 weeks | No GRE, monthly starts | No GRE, rolling starts | Varies by program — some require GRE | No GRE, rolling starts |
| Learning Model | Asynchronous, instructor-led courses | Competency-based, self-paced | Asynchronous, instructor-led | Varies — some synchronous components | Asynchronous, instructor-led |
| Best Differentiator | Cyber/IT + military + public-university cost | Speed + flat-rate pricing | Program variety + scale | Brand recognition + research backing | Military + adult-learner focus in California |
Key takeaways from this comparison:
- The bottom line: UMGC’s strongest case is for cybersecurity/IT at public-university pricing with best-in-class military support. If you prioritize the fastest possible completion and lowest total cost, WGU’s competency-based model may be cheaper. If you want the broadest program catalog, SNHU offers more options. If brand prestige matters to you and you can afford the premium, Penn State World Campus carries a stronger name. If you’re a California-based military learner, UMass Global may be geographically more convenient.
University of Maryland Global Campus Is
Best For
UMGC is not the best online master’s program for everyone, but it’s an exceptionally strong fit for these specific profiles:
- Active-duty military and veterans using Tuition Assistance or GI Bill benefits. UMGC’s entire institutional infrastructure — from advising to tuition caps to deployment policies — is built around military life. If you’re stationed overseas, deploying mid-semester, or navigating TA paperwork, UMGC has solved these problems at an institutional level that most universities handle as exceptions.
- Mid-career IT and cybersecurity professionals who need a credential, not a career change. If you’re already working in information security, network administration, or IT management and need a master’s degree for promotion or clearance requirements, UMGC’s NSA/DHS-designated programs deliver the credential with direct relevance to government and defense employers.
- Budget-conscious working adults who prioritize low cost over brand prestige. At $17,964 total for most programs, UMGC undercuts the majority of regionally accredited online master’s programs. If you’ve done the math and determined that minimizing student debt matters more than a prestigious name on your diploma, UMGC delivers genuine value.
- Government and defense-sector professionals in the D.C./Mid-Atlantic region. UMGC’s concentrations in homeland security management, intelligence management, and biosecurity/biodefense aren’t generic — they’re designed for the career tracks that exist in the D.C. corridor. Federal and contractor employers in this region know UMGC well.
- Career changers who need flexible admissions to get started. No GRE, no GMAT, rolling starts every eight weeks, and generous transfer credit acceptance means UMGC removes most barriers to entry. If you’ve been out of school for years and need a low-friction on-ramp to graduate education, this matters.
- Instructional designers and learning technologists outside K-12. UMGC’s MS in Learning Design and Technology and MEd in Instructional Technology serve the corporate training and e-learning market — not just teachers looking for a salary bump.
Not a Best Fit For
UMGC has real limitations, and being honest about them saves you time and money. Here’s when you should look elsewhere:
- You need strong brand prestige or employer recognition outside government/military sectors. UMGC is well-known within the military community and among federal employers in the D.C. area. Outside those circles — particularly in competitive private-sector industries like management consulting, investment banking, or tech startups — UMGC’s name recognition drops considerably. If your career path depends on the prestige signal of your degree, institutions like Penn State World Campus or Purdue University carry more weight.
- You want an AACSB-accredited MBA. UMGC’s MBA is not AACSB accredited. For many employers — especially in finance, consulting, and Fortune 500 hiring pipelines — AACSB accreditation is a baseline filter. If this credential matters in your target industry, UMGC’s MBA won’t clear that bar. Look at Indiana University Online or Arizona State University for AACSB-accredited online options.
- You want a small-cohort, highly interactive learning experience. UMGC’s model is asynchronous, designed for scale and flexibility. If you thrive on live discussions, cohort relationships, and faculty mentorship, UMGC’s large-scale approach may feel impersonal. Universities like Northeastern University or George Washington University offer more cohort-oriented online programs.
- You need a clinical, licensure-track, or practice-based program. UMGC does not offer online master’s programs in nursing, social work, counseling, clinical psychology, or any field that requires supervised clinical hours. If you’re pursuing an MSW , MSN , clinical psychology degree , or MHA with CAHME accreditation , you’ll need to look elsewhere.
- You need a strong alumni network for competitive private-sector career placement. UMGC’s alumni network is large but diffuse and concentrated in the military and government sectors. If your career plan depends on alumni connections opening doors at private-sector employers, UMGC’s network is unlikely to provide that leverage the way a traditional flagship university would.
- You want depth in liberal arts, sciences, or research-oriented programs. UMGC’s master’s portfolio is professionally oriented and narrowly focused on applied fields. There are no research-track MA programs, no thesis-based pathways, and no programs in humanities, social sciences (beyond management), or pure sciences.
Strongest Programs and Top Picks
Not all UMGC programs are created equal. These are the ones where UMGC has a genuine competitive edge:
Why it stands out: This is arguably UMGC’s flagship program. The NSA/DHS National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense designation is earned, not purchased — and it matters to government and defense employers who hire from a short list of CAE-designated institutions. The technical focus (versus the management-track counterpart) prepares students for hands-on cybersecurity roles, including penetration testing, security architecture, and incident response.
Best for: Working cybersecurity professionals who need a master’s for federal clearance requirements or GS-grade advancement, and IT professionals pivoting into dedicated security roles.
Limitation: The program is management-adjacent even in its “technical” track — students looking for deep offensive security or advanced cryptography coursework may find it less rigorous than programs at Georgia Tech or Johns Hopkins.
Why it stands out: This is one of the very few fully online master’s degrees specifically in cloud computing. Most universities fold cloud topics into broader IT or computer science programs. UMGC built a standalone 36-credit program around cloud infrastructure, which is unusually specialized.
Best for: IT professionals already working with AWS, Azure, or GCP who want a formal credential to complement their certifications. Also relevant for professionals targeting cloud architect or cloud solutions engineer roles in government contracting.
Limitation: The program’s labor-market recognition depends heavily on what certifications you pair with it. A master’s degree alone in cloud computing is uncommon enough that some hiring managers may not know what to make of it.
Why it stands out: At $17,964 total with three concentration options (Database Systems Technology, Informatics, Software Engineering), this is one of the most affordable regionally accredited online IT master’s degrees available. The breadth of concentrations lets students customize without paying a premium.
Best for: IT generalists who need a master’s degree for career advancement but don’t want to over-specialize, or can’t justify paying $30,000+ at a more prestigious institution for essentially the same career outcome.
Limitation: The IT field increasingly values specific skills and certifications over master’s degrees. This program’s value proposition is strongest in sectors where the degree itself is required (government, defense, education) rather than where skills portfolios matter more (startups, FAANG).
Why it stands out: Not because of prestige or pedagogy — UMGC’s MBA stands out purely on accessibility and cost. No GMAT, no GRE, rolling admissions, and $17,964 total. For working adults who need an MBA credential at the lowest possible cost from a regionally accredited public university, UMGC is hard to beat on price. If you’re exploring affordable and accessible MBA options , UMGC belongs in the conversation.
Best for: Mid-career professionals in government or military who need the MBA checkbox for promotion, not for competitive business school recruiting.
Limitation: No AACSB accreditation. Limited alumni network for private-sector career switching. If your MBA needs to open doors at consulting firms or Fortune 500 companies, this isn’t the right program.
Admissions Snapshot
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | Required from a regionally accredited institution |
| Minimum GPA | 2.5 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale (some programs may have higher requirements) |
| GRE/GMAT | Not required for any master’s program |
| Application Fee | $50 (waived for military servicemembers and veterans) |
| Transcripts | Official transcripts from all previously attended institutions |
| Transfer Credits | Up to 6 graduate credits may be transferable (subject to evaluation) |
| Military-Specific Pathways | Credit-for-experience evaluation available; Joint Services Transcript (JST) accepted for evaluation; dedicated military enrollment advisors |
| Application Deadline | Rolling — no fixed deadline. Apply and start in the next available session. |
| Start Frequency | Multiple sessions per year (approximately every 8 weeks) |
| International Students | Accepted — English proficiency documentation may be required |
What this means practically: UMGC has deliberately removed nearly every barrier to entry. If you have a bachelor’s degree with a 2.5+ GPA, you can apply to any master’s program without standardized tests and start within weeks. The tradeoff is that this accessibility also means you’ll be in programs with a wide range of peer preparation levels.
Tuition and Cost Overview
UMGC’s cost structure is one of its clearest competitive advantages — and it’s unusually simple.
| Cost Component | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tuition Per Credit (Online) | $499 — same rate for in-state and out-of-state students |
| Standard Program Length | 36 credits |
| Estimated Total Tuition | $17,964 |
| Military Tuition Rate | Reduced rate available for active-duty using Tuition Assistance (typically aligned with DoD TA cap of $250/credit hour) |
| Technology Fee | Included in tuition — no separate technology fee |
| Application Fee | $50 (waived for military) |
| Books/Materials | Many courses use Open Educational Resources (OER) or digital materials included in tuition. Budget $0–$500 additional depending on program. |
How UMGC’s Cost Compares
| Institution | Est. Per-Credit Cost | Est. Total (36 cr.) |
|---|---|---|
| UMGC | $499 | ~$17,964 |
| Western Governors University | ~$4,500/6-mo term (flat) | ~$9,000–$13,500 |
| Southern New Hampshire University | ~$627 | ~$22,572 |
| Penn State World Campus | ~$750–$900+ | ~$27,000–$32,400+ |
| UMass Global | ~$550–$700 | ~$19,800–$25,200 |
WGU is cheaper if you move fast through competency-based assessments. UMGC is cheaper than SNHU, significantly cheaper than Penn State World Campus, and competitive with UMass Global — while carrying a public-university affiliation.
Financial aid and funding options: UMGC accepts federal financial aid (FAFSA), GI Bill and Tuition Assistance benefits, employer tuition reimbursement, and offers institutional scholarships. Given the relatively low total cost, many working adults may qualify for employer tuition assistance that covers the majority of program costs. For those exploring student loan forgiveness pathways — particularly through Public Service Loan Forgiveness — UMGC’s status as a public institution and its alignment with government employment make PSLF a realistic option for many graduates.
Visit University of Maryland Global Campus’s official online programs page
Related Rankings
These OMC ranking pages are directly relevant if you’re evaluating UMGC or similar institutions:
- Online Cybersecurity Master’s Programs — UMGC’s cybersecurity programs are among its strongest. See how they compare against other top-ranked online cybersecurity options.
- Most Accessible Online MBA Programs — UMGC’s no-GMAT, low-cost MBA fits squarely in this category. Compare it against other accessible MBA options.
- Online MHA Programs — If you’re considering UMGC’s MS in Healthcare Administration, see how the broader MHA landscape compares — especially CAHME-accredited alternatives.
- Online Master’s Programs in Maryland — UMGC is one of several Maryland institutions offering online master’s degrees. This guide covers the full state landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions
A. Yes. UMGC is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), which is one of the six recognized regional accrediting bodies in the United States. This is the same accreditor that oversees institutions like Princeton, Johns Hopkins, and the University of Maryland, College Park. Regional accreditation is the standard that matters for credit transfer, employer recognition, and financial aid eligibility.
A. It depends on the employer and sector. Within the federal government, military, defense contracting, and the D.C./Mid-Atlantic region, UMGC is well-known and widely accepted. In competitive private-sector industries — management consulting, investment banking, Big Tech — UMGC does not carry the same weight as traditional flagship universities or elite online programs. For most working professionals seeking advancement in their current field, UMGC’s degrees are functional and recognized.
Both serve working adults with flexible, affordable online programs, but the models are fundamentally different. Western Governors University uses competency-based progression where you advance by passing assessments, not by sitting through courses — which can be dramatically faster (and cheaper) if you already know the material. UMGC uses a traditional credit-hour structure with instructor-led courses. UMGC’s advantages over WGU include its public-university affiliation, NSA/DHS cyber designations, and generally stronger recognition with government employers. WGU’s advantage is a lower total cost for motivated self-starters.
The MS in Cybersecurity Management and Policy is designed for professionals moving into security leadership, policy development, and risk governance — think CISO-track or government security policy roles. The MS in Cybersecurity Technology is oriented toward technical practitioners — security architecture, threat analysis, and defensive operations. Both hold the NSA/DHS CAE-CD designation. Choose based on whether your career path is management or technical.
Yes, up to 6 graduate-level credits may be transferred into most master’s programs, subject to evaluation. Credits must be from a regionally accredited institution and typically must be recent (often within the last 5–7 years) and relevant to the program. UMGC also evaluates military training and professional certifications for potential credit through its credit-for-experience pathways.
Most programs are 36 credits. Taking two courses per session (UMGC runs roughly six 8-week sessions per year), a full-time student can complete in approximately 12–18 months. Part-time students taking one course per session typically finish in 24–36 months. The rolling start dates mean there’s no lost time waiting for a semester to begin.
No. UMGC’s current online master’s portfolio does not include programs leading to teaching licensure, counseling licensure, nursing certification, or clinical practice credentials. If you need a licensure-track program, you’ll need to look at institutions that specifically offer those pathways — for example, MSW programs with CSWE accreditation or MSN programs with CCNE or ACEN accreditation.