The SANS.edu Advantage

Discover a smarter way to learn cybersecurity, proven by student success. Traditional higher education isn’t keeping up with the speed of change in cybersecurity. The SANS Technology Institute was built differently—by design. Instead of following outdated academic models, we created a new approach to cybersecurity education rooted in the realities of today’s cyber workforce and engineered for the future of digital defense.
SANS.edu Student and Advisor: Graduation

Cybersecurity Education, Rebuilt for the Real World

Not education as usual. Education that works.
Traditional colleges teach about cybersecurity. At the SANS Technology Institute, you do cybersecurity, guided by experts who live it every day. Our practitioner-led programs skip outdated theory and focus on the hands-on skills, real-world experience, and certifications that matter in the field right now.

“There are schools, and then there is SANS. Flexibility, quality of content, and an incredibly supportive staff have helped me launch a cybersecurity career.” — Jordan Wolfe, Cybersecurity Technologist at Travelers

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Cybersecurity Is All We Do

Every SANS.edu course, credential, and instructor is laser-focused on preparing you for success in cybersecurity.

  • GIAC Certifications Built In
    Earn certifications cyber pros ranked as the most valued when selecting job candidates for interviews. (Source: cio.org)
  • Industry-Leading Curriculum
    Build real-world skills through the same hands-on courses and labs used to train global government and Fortune 500 cyber teams.
  • Faculty of Active Industry Experts
    Learn what actually works in the field, from world-class instructors who practice cybersecurity full-time.
  • Trusted by Organizations Worldwide
    Train with the college more than 2,600 organizations have relied on to strengthen their cybersecurity teams.

“With SANS.edu, you’re not just getting a degree, you’re getting hands-on experience, mentorship, and industry-recognized certifications that set you apart.” — Noah Pack, Penetration Tester at an international defense company

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Career-Focused Education

Our programs are dedicated to your cybersecurity career goals — not academic theory.

  • Leadership and Career Advancement
    97% of our master’s graduates feel prepared for leadership roles after completing their program.
  • Career-Ready Graduates
    99% of our undergraduate alumni say they gained the knowledge and skills needed to begin or advance their careers.
  • Focused Career Development
    Students in our Applied Cybersecurity Certificate and Bachelor’s Degree programs receive personalized, lifelong career support from the SANS.edu Career Center. Learn more.

Real Results. Real Cybersecurity Careers.

Our graduates don’t just study cybersecurity, they build careers in it. SANS.edu programs deliver measurable outcomes, strong starting salaries, and direct pathways into mission-critical roles across industries.

$104K
Average starting salary of SANS.edu Applied Cybersecurity Certificate graduates
$110K
Average starting salary of SANS.edu cybersecurity bachelor's degree graduates
94%
Percentage of our job seeking bachelor’s degree graduates who gained employment in cybersecurity within 6 months.
56%
Percentage of our Applied Cybersecurity Certificate students who got their first new job before completing the program

“I looked into several programs. None could truly match SANS.edu’s real-world relevance and the quality of its instruction.” — Queen Brown, Google Cloud Security Engineer at Citi

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Built for Working Professionals

Whether you’re switching careers or advancing in cybersecurity, SANS.edu is designed around your schedule.

  • Flexible Start Dates
    No fixed semesters — start when it works for you.
  • Unmatched Flexibility and Support
    Choose 100% online courses or combine them with immersive in-person courses held around the world.
  • Veteran-Friendly Processes
    We streamline VA Education Benefits to support those who’ve served. Learn more.

“The very same day I discovered the GI Bill® would cover my SANS.edu tuition costs, I filled out an application. It was the beginning of my professional transformation. I am not exaggerating when I say SANS.edu changed my life.” — James Childers, Senior Security Engineer at GuidePoint Security

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Backed by Student Success

Our programs deliver what matters most: student success and outcomes that consistently outperform national benchmarks.

  • High Recommendation and Satisfaction Rates
    99% of alumni surveyed would recommend SANS.edu — because our programs deliver real results.
  • Comprehensive Support Services
    98% of alumni are satisfied with their student advisors, higher education professionals who guide, support, and respond quickly.
  • Championship-Caliber Students
    The SANS.edu Sentinels have proven their skills with multi-year victories in the National Cyber League Competition and top-three finishes in the NSA Codebreaker Challenge.

“SANS.edu is one of the best investments I’ve ever made. When I look at my career trajectory since joining SANS, I can confidently say that the program has already paid for itself.” — Rachel Downs, Principal Security Consultant at Bridewell

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Smart Investment, Real Value

We believe every dollar of tuition should go toward education — not campus buildings and extras you don’t need.

  • Know the Cost. Plan with Confidence.
    College costs shouldn’t be a mystery. We keep things simple: the price you see on our website is the price you’ll pay — no guessing, no fine print.
  • Graduate with Minimal Debt
    Pay for one course at a time, explore multiple funding options, and avoid the heavy burden of student loans.
  • Already GIAC certified?
    Use your active GIAC certifications for credit to save time and money. Learn more.

Alumni Success and Satisfaction

SANS.edu alumni report high satisfaction and measurable career advancement after completing their SANS.edu programs.

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

“Between starting and finishing my program, I made enough salary gains to pay for it twice. The people are great; the school is great; there’s nothing not to love.” — Jake Danuser, Security Engineer at SCRAM Systems

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Ready to Join the Best in Cybersecurity?

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to lead in cybersecurity, SANS.edu offers the most focused, flexible, and career-ready cybersecurity education available.

Questions?

We're happy to help. Email info@sans.edu or call 301.241.7665.