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SANS.edu Alumni Outcomes Report

Alumni of the SANS Technology Institute report rapid promotions, six-figure salaries, and industry respect—plus overwhelming satisfaction with the program’s real-world value.
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Careers Transformed. Value Delivered. Impact That Lasts.

The Alumni Outcomes Report is a new initiative launched in 2024 to better understand the long-term value of a SANS education. Through surveys conducted at key career milestones—six months, 2 years, 5 years, and 10 years post-graduation—we’re learning where our alumni go, how they grow, and how they feel about their career journey.  

Early findings confirm what we’ve long known: SANS Technology Institute graduates are highly satisfied with their education and achieve impressive career outcomes in cybersecurity. 

Alumni Preparedness by the Numbers

As the SANS Technology Institute celebrates its 20th anniversary, our first Alumni Outcomes Report highlights how graduates are launching and advancing cybersecurity careers with elite skills and globally recognized credentials.

100%
Percentage of alumni who report satisfaction with education quality
97%
Percentage of alumni who agree their program was worth the cost
91%
Percentage of alumni who are currently employed in a cyber/IT role
$110K
Average starting salary of SANS cybersecurity bachelor's degree graduates

"All the SANS Technology Institute classes deliver relevant real-world information complemented by hands-on labs. Since earning (three) graduate certifications, I was promoted to Senior Engineering Manager and later advanced to Director of Application Security." — Jeff Sass, Director of Application Security at Adobe

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Alumni Satisfaction and Career Impact

SANS Technology Institute alumni report high satisfaction with their education and clear, career-shaping outcomes as a result.

  • 100% Satisfaction Rate: Every respondent expressed satisfaction with the quality of their SANS education, with over 91% reporting they were very satisfied.  
  • Career Growth and Advancement: Alumni shared stories of promotions, salary increases, career shifts into specialized fields, and greater confidence during interviews.  
  • Real-World Skills and Professional Networks: Respondents credited their success to hands-on training, technical expertise, leadership development, and connections with peers and industry leaders.

"SANS.edu provided me with a high-quality education and valuable credentials that employers immediately recognize. The support from advisors and resources available made a significant difference in shaping my cybersecurity career." — Christy McSweeney, Senior Information Security Consultant at Allianz Life

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Why ROI is So High

SANS Technology Institute alumni report high satisfaction with their education and clear, career-shaping outcomes as a result.

  • Curriculum led by world-renowned SANS instructors: 
    Students learn from the same experts who train the U.S. government and Fortune 500 companies, bringing unmatched credibility and insight to every course. 
  • Integration with GIAC certifications: Students earn industry-recognized GIAC credentials as part of their degree or certificate program, boosting career value with every course. 
  • Employer recognition and demand: Hiring managers know the SANS Technology Institute produces elite talent—making our graduates top candidates for high-paying, mission-critical roles. 
  • Real-world simulations and applied learning: Students gain hands-on experience solving real cybersecurity challenges, preparing them to contribute from day one on the job.

“You cannot overestimate the value of the SANS name recognition. Having a SANS.edu degree tells employers that you have what it takes to do the job. You have the hands-on experience to get the job done from day one.” — Richard Halsell Jr., Principal Security Program Manager at Microsoft

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High Alumni Recommendation Signals Enduring Educational Value

Graduates value the hands-on learning, expert instructors, and career impact of their education.

  • By the time of program completion, 95% of alumni agree that their career has advanced as a result of their academic program.  
  • 99% of undergraduate alumni believe that SANS.edu provided them with the knowledge and skills to begin or advance their career as a cybersecurity professional. 
  • 97% of master’s alumni believe that SANS.edu provided them with the knowledge and skills needed to take on a leadership role in their organization.

“I cannot speak highly enough about the quality of SANS Technology Institute. The content of the courses is excellent, and the way they’re presented is outstanding. The curriculum is meticulously designed and demonstrates a high level of care.” — Christina Westfall, Senior Threat Detection Engineer at Anvilogic

Our Grads Get Hired

Our graduates get hired by companies like Amazon, Deloitte, Dragos, Google, Northrup Grumman, Red Canary, Wells Fargo and Walmart. More than half our undergraduate students received their first cybersecurity job offer before they finished the program.

Job Titles Earned

SOC Analyst

Cyber Threat Intel Associate

Information Security Analyst

Security Engineer

Security Consultant

Cyber Software Engineer

Penetration Tester

Detection & Response Analyst

Incident Handler

Cyber Risk Consultant

Intrusion Analyst

Cybersecurity Specialist

InfoSec Specialist

Security Administrator

Forensics Examiner

Vulnerability Management Engineer
Incident Response Team

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Success in Their Own Words

Explore inspiring stories from SANS Technology Institute graduates who’ve landed top roles, earned respected certifications, and changed their futures through cybersecurity education.

View Testimonials
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Methodology

The Alumni Outcomes Survey is part of a new initiative launched in May 2024 to better understand the long-term impact of a SANS Technology Institute education. The survey is emailed to graduates at four key milestones: 6 months, 2 years, 5 years, and 10 years post-graduation. Respondents are asked to share feedback on their educational experience, current career status, and how their degree or certificate has influenced their professional development. Each alumni group receives one initial email and up to three automated follow-up reminders to encourage participation.

Response Rates by Cohort:

  • 6-month: 19.87% (91 of 458)  
  • 2-year: 13.35% (59 of 442)  
  • 5-year: 12.87% (22 of 171)  
  • 10-year: 29.03% (9 of 31)