Systems Science & Theory degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 28 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best systems science & theory schools.
The school you choose for systems science & theory can shape your career. To help, we created our Best Systems Science & Theory Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Systems Science & Theory School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Systems Science & Theory Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Systems Science & Theory in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the systems science & theory degrees they offer, see the list below.
No school ranked higher than University Of California Berkeley this year for systems science & theory. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 49 systems science & theory students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Graduates of the systems science & theory program make about $70,847 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,238 to complete this degree.
See the full systems science & theory program report for University Of California Berkeley
University Of Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in systems science & theory, ranking #2. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. University Of Chicago awarded about 52 systems science & theory degrees in the most recent data year. Systems Science & Theory graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans.
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Stanford University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best systems science & theory schools. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Stanford University graduates 92% of students within six years. Stanford University awarded about 62 systems science & theory degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the systems science & theory program make about $100,827 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492.
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Students looking for a strong systems science & theory program will find one at Purdue University Main Campus, which ranked #4. This very large public university is located in the city of West Lafayette. Purdue University Main Campus graduates 83% of students within six years. About 71 systems science & theory degrees were awarded at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their systems science & theory degree from Purdue University Main Campus earn around $63,111 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete this degree.
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A rank of #5 makes Boston University one of the top schools for systems science & theory. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 89% of students finish within six years. About 26 systems science & theory degrees were awarded at Boston University in the most recent year. Graduates of the systems science & theory program make about $63,598 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,232.
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Carnegie Mellon University came in at #6 for systems science & theory this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. Carnegie Mellon University graduates 94% of students within six years. About 126 systems science & theory degrees were awarded at Carnegie Mellon University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, systems science & theory degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $95,598. Carnegie Mellon University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans.
More information about a degree in systems science & theory from Carnegie Mellon University
Claremont Mckenna College came in at #7 for systems science & theory this year. Claremont Mckenna College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Claremont. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Claremont Mckenna College awarded about 17 systems science & theory degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their systems science & theory degree from Claremont Mckenna College earn around $66,028 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000.
More information about a degree in systems science & theory from Claremont Mckenna College
Rice University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best systems science & theory schools. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. About 12 systems science & theory degrees were awarded at Rice University in the most recent year. Students who receive their systems science & theory degree from Rice University earn around $75,299 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete this degree.
Read more about the systems science & theory program at Rice University
The New School landed the #9 spot for systems science & theory this year. The New School is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 117 systems science & theory students who graduated with this degree at The New School in the most recent data year. Students who receive their systems science & theory degree from The New School earn around $97,856 in the first couple years of their career. The New School graduates carry a median of $24,460 in student loans.
Read more about the systems science & theory program at The New School
James Madison University placed #10 among the best systems science & theory schools. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. James Madison University awarded about 77 systems science & theory degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their systems science & theory degree from James Madison University earn around $65,683 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,301.
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Harvard University landed the #11 spot for systems science & theory this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. About 91 systems science & theory degrees were awarded at Harvard University in the most recent year. Students who receive their systems science & theory degree from Harvard University earn around $95,207 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616.
More information about a degree in systems science & theory from Harvard University
Rutgers University Camden earned the #12 position for systems science & theory this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Camden. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 13 systems science & theory degrees were awarded at Rutgers University Camden in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, systems science & theory degree recipients from Rutgers University Camden generally make around $54,504. Typical student debt for the program is $24,577.
Read more about the systems science & theory program at Rutgers University Camden
Suny At Binghamton earned the #13 position for systems science & theory this year. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. There were roughly 23 systems science & theory students who graduated with this degree at Suny At Binghamton in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, systems science & theory degree recipients from Suny At Binghamton generally make around $86,628. Students borrow a median of $20,691 to complete this degree.
See the full systems science & theory program report for Suny At Binghamton
University Of Vermont earned the #14 position for systems science & theory this year. This large public university is located in the city of Burlington. About 79% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 20 systems science & theory students who graduated with this degree at University Of Vermont in the most recent data year. Systems Science & Theory graduates of University Of Vermont earn a median of $44,588 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,607 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in systems science & theory from University Of Vermont
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #15 spot for systems science & theory this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 60 systems science & theory degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the systems science & theory program make about $35,239 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,600 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in systems science & theory from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
University Of Iowa ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best systems science & theory schools. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. University Of Iowa graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 systems science & theory students who graduated with this degree at University Of Iowa in the most recent data year. Systems Science & Theory graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $57,375 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,463.
Read more about the systems science & theory program at University Of Iowa
Eastern Illinois University landed the #17 spot for systems science & theory this year. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. About 47% of students finish within six years. Eastern Illinois University awarded about 22 systems science & theory degrees in the most recent data year. Systems Science & Theory graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $43,603 early in their careers. Eastern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $24,293 in student loans.
More information about a degree in systems science & theory from Eastern Illinois University
Arizona State University landed the #18 spot for systems science & theory this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Arizona State University awarded about 44 systems science & theory degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, systems science & theory degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $55,876. Arizona State University graduates carry a median of $21,842 in student loans.
See the full systems science & theory program report for Arizona State University
Pitzer College placed #19 among the best systems science & theory schools. Located in the suburb of Claremont, Pitzer College is a small private not-for-profit university. Pitzer College graduates 83% of students within six years. About 11 systems science & theory degrees were awarded at Pitzer College in the most recent year. Systems Science & Theory graduates of Pitzer College earn a median of $40,668 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,125.
See the full systems science & theory program report for Pitzer College
North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #20 position for systems science & theory this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Raleigh. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 41 systems science & theory degrees were awarded at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, systems science & theory degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $65,032. Students borrow a median of $22,113 to complete this degree.
Read more about the systems science & theory program at North Carolina State University At Raleigh
University Of Central Florida earned the #21 position for systems science & theory this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. About 78% of students finish within six years. University Of Central Florida awarded about 22 systems science & theory degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, systems science & theory degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $51,790. Students borrow a median of $21,620 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in systems science & theory from University Of Central Florida
Savannah College Of Art And Design ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best systems science & theory schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Savannah. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. Savannah College Of Art And Design awarded about 52 systems science & theory degrees in the most recent data year. Systems Science & Theory graduates of Savannah College Of Art And Design earn a median of $40,671 early in their careers. Savannah College Of Art And Design graduates carry a median of $26,346 in student loans.
More information about a degree in systems science & theory from Savannah College Of Art And Design
Arizona State University Skysong earned the #23 position for systems science & theory this year. Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public school located in the city of Scottsdale. Arizona State University Skysong awarded about 12 systems science & theory degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their systems science & theory degree from Arizona State University Skysong earn around $55,394 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,870.
See the full systems science & theory program report for Arizona State University Skysong
Johnson And Wales University Providence came in at #24 for systems science & theory this year. Set in the city of Providence, Johnson And Wales University Providence is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 50% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 systems science & theory students who graduated with this degree at Johnson And Wales University Providence in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, systems science & theory degree recipients from Johnson And Wales University Providence generally make around $45,920. Students borrow a median of $26,350 to complete this degree.
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School Of Visual Arts landed the #25 spot for systems science & theory this year. This mid-sized private for-profit university is located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 17 systems science & theory degrees were awarded at School Of Visual Arts in the most recent year. Students who receive their systems science & theory degree from School Of Visual Arts earn around $68,946 in the first couple years of their career. School Of Visual Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
See the full systems science & theory program report for School Of Visual Arts
Rest of the Top 28 Systems Science & Theory Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong systems science & theory education:
Systems Science & Theory Related Rankings by Major
Systems Science & Theory is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 28 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
