by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Systems Engineering](/majors/engineering/systems-engineering/general-systems-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 54 schools to find the best return on investment for general systems engineering students.
What’s on this page:
The general systems engineering program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value General Systems Engineering Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Read more about our methodology
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value General Systems Engineering Schools list, to help you decide. 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.
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general systems engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked United States Merchant Marine Academy the best value for a degree in general systems engineering in the United States. United States Merchant Marine Academy is a small public school located in the suburb of Kings Point. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $895. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from United States Merchant Marine Academy generally make around $69,847. The acceptance rate is 34%.
Students looking for strong value in general systems engineering will find it at University Of Florida, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $19,250 to complete the general systems engineering program here. Early-career general systems engineering graduates make about $96,835. Set against $19,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned it the #3 place for general systems engineering. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete the general systems engineering program here. Early-career general systems engineering graduates make about $118,944. That is a strong return on a $24,323 median debt. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general systems engineering will find it at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #4. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for general systems engineering graduates is $19,137. Early-career general systems engineering graduates make about $122,914. That is a strong return on a $19,137 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.
University Of California San Diego came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general systems engineering schools. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Typical student debt for general systems engineering graduates is $17,101. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $60,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona placed #6 among the best values for general systems engineering. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. General Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,226 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $49,427. That is a strong return on a $17,226 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Dearborn ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general systems engineering schools. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,640, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. Students borrow a median of $26,516 to complete the general systems engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Michigan Dearborn generally make around $62,536. Set against $26,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida earned the #8 position for value in general systems engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,620 to complete the general systems engineering program here. General Systems Engineering graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $51,790 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Weber State University landed the #9 spot for general systems engineering value this year. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general systems engineering graduates is $19,176. Early-career general systems engineering graduates make about $53,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida State University landed the #10 spot for general systems engineering value this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. General Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,488 in student loans. General Systems Engineering graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $51,884 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Texas A And M International University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general systems engineering schools. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Typical student debt for general systems engineering graduates is $10,243. General Systems Engineering graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $49,755 early in their careers. Set against $10,243 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #12 spot for general systems engineering value this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. General Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,800 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $81,785. That is a strong return on a $17,800 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Wichita State University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general systems engineering schools. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Typical student debt for general systems engineering graduates is $24,262. General Systems Engineering graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $49,278 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,262 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Louisiana Lafayette placed #14 among the best values for general systems engineering. Set in the city of Lafayette, University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,418, while out-of-state students pay about $24,146. Students borrow a median of $24,373 to complete the general systems engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Louisiana Lafayette generally make around $42,873. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Louisiana Lafayette admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Houston came in at #15 for value in general systems engineering this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. General Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,255 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $57,529. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Detroit Mercy ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general systems engineering schools. Located in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,946. Students borrow a median of $29,053 to complete the general systems engineering program here. General Systems Engineering graduates of University Of Detroit Mercy earn a median of $76,755 early in their careers. Set against $29,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #17 position for value in general systems engineering this year. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Typical student debt for general systems engineering graduates is $19,819. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $93,203. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #18 spot for general systems engineering value this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the general systems engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
University Of Utah ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value general systems engineering schools. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete the general systems engineering program here. Early-career general systems engineering graduates make about $60,527. That is a strong return on a $20,798 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri University Of Science And Technology earned the #20 position for value in general systems engineering this year. Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rolla. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,984, while out-of-state students pay about $33,248. General Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,187 in student loans. General Systems Engineering graduates of Missouri University Of Science And Technology earn a median of $111,229 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,187 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County placed #21 among the best values for general systems engineering. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,256 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,225. Typical student debt for general systems engineering graduates is $21,331. Early-career general systems engineering graduates make about $49,179. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #22 among the best values for general systems engineering. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Typical student debt for general systems engineering graduates is $26,000. General Systems Engineering graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $68,034 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Kennesaw State University placed #23 among the best values for general systems engineering. Set in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,808, with out-of-state students paying around $17,736. Typical student debt for general systems engineering graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from Kennesaw State University generally make around $62,015. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Kennesaw State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology landed the #24 spot for general systems engineering value this year. Set in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $24,400. Typical student debt for general systems engineering graduates is $28,375. General Systems Engineering graduates of Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology earn a median of $35,098 early in their careers. Set against $28,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology admits about 87% of applicants.
Johns Hopkins University came in at #25 for value in general systems engineering this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete the general systems engineering program here. Early-career general systems engineering graduates make about $135,107. Set against $13,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general systems engineering value ranking:
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to General Systems Engineering. Browse the parent area of study.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 54 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 54 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
