by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Systems Engineering](/majors/engineering/systems-engineering/general-systems-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general systems engineering education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general systems engineering students.
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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 New York. United States Merchant Marine Academy is a small public school located in the suburb of Kings Point. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $895. General Systems Engineering graduates of United States Merchant Marine Academy earn a median of $69,847 early in their careers. Roughly 34% of applicants are accepted.
Cornell University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general systems engineering schools. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,314. Students borrow a median of $15,005 to complete the general systems engineering program here. General Systems Engineering graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $117,455 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general systems engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Troy, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,078. Students borrow a median of $24,975 to complete the general systems engineering program here. General Systems Engineering graduates of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of $77,378 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,975 median debt. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute admits about 64% of applicants.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.