General Systems Engineering is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 54 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best general systems engineering schools.
Choosing a Great General Systems Engineering School
The school you choose for general systems engineering can shape your career. That is why we built our Best General Systems Engineering Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
General Systems Engineering Rankings by Degree Level
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best General Systems Engineering Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Leading the list is University Of Wisconsin Madison, our #1 school for general systems engineering. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. There were roughly 20 general systems engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. General Systems Engineering graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete this degree.
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Johns Hopkins University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general systems engineering, ranking #2. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 293 general systems engineering students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $135,107. Johns Hopkins University graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans.
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University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best general systems engineering schools. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 97 general systems engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general systems engineering program make about $122,914 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,137.
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A rank of #4 makes University Of Southern California one of the top schools for general systems engineering. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 92% of students finish within six years. About 41 general systems engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Graduates of the general systems engineering program make about $118,363 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,625.
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Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best general systems engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Atlanta. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus graduates 94% of students within six years. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus awarded about 33 general systems engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $118,944. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete this degree.
See the full general systems engineering program report for Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
University Of Pennsylvania earned the #6 position for general systems engineering this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 112 general systems engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $99,682. Typical student debt for the program is $16,155.
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University Of Dayton ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best general systems engineering schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Dayton. About 80% of students finish within six years. About 20 general systems engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Dayton in the most recent year. Students who receive their general systems engineering degree from University Of Dayton earn around $56,077 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,033 to complete this degree.
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Massachusetts Institute Of Technology placed #8 among the best general systems engineering schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cambridge. About 96% of students finish within six years. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology awarded about 175 general systems engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology generally make around $151,271. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $13,516 in student loans.
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University Of California San Diego ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best general systems engineering schools. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 20 general systems engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of California San Diego in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general systems engineering program make about $60,797 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,101 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general systems engineering from University Of California San Diego
Colorado School Of Mines earned the #10 position for general systems engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Golden, Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. There were roughly 62 general systems engineering students who graduated with this degree at Colorado School Of Mines in the most recent data year. General Systems Engineering graduates of Colorado School Of Mines earn a median of $76,298 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,521 to complete this degree.
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University Of Detroit Mercy earned the #11 position for general systems engineering this year. University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Detroit. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. University Of Detroit Mercy awarded about 12 general systems engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general systems engineering degree from University Of Detroit Mercy earn around $76,755 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $29,053 to complete this degree.
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University Of Virginia Main Campus ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best general systems engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 156 general systems engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $103,476. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans.
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University Of Florida placed #13 among the best general systems engineering schools. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. University Of Florida awarded about 652 general systems engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general systems engineering program make about $96,835 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,250.
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United States Merchant Marine Academy earned the #14 position for general systems engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Kings Point, United States Merchant Marine Academy is a small public university. United States Merchant Marine Academy graduates 82% of students within six years. United States Merchant Marine Academy awarded about 27 general systems engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from United States Merchant Marine Academy generally make around $69,847.
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University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #15 spot for general systems engineering this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 78 general systems engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Students who receive their general systems engineering degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $81,785 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,800.
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Cornell University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best general systems engineering schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Ithaca. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. About 206 general systems engineering degrees were awarded at Cornell University in the most recent year. General Systems Engineering graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $117,455 early in their careers. Cornell University graduates carry a median of $15,005 in student loans.
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University Of Denver placed #17 among the best general systems engineering schools. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. University Of Denver awarded about 37 general systems engineering degrees in the most recent data year. General Systems Engineering graduates of University Of Denver earn a median of $56,999 early in their careers. University Of Denver graduates carry a median of $22,534 in student loans.
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University Of Utah ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best general systems engineering schools. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. About 65% of students finish within six years. University Of Utah awarded about 25 general systems engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general systems engineering program make about $60,527 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,798.
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George Washington University landed the #19 spot for general systems engineering this year. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. George Washington University graduates 84% of students within six years. George Washington University awarded about 87 general systems engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general systems engineering degree from George Washington University earn around $119,258 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,910 to complete this degree.
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Stevens Institute Of Technology ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best general systems engineering schools. Stevens Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hoboken. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 252 general systems engineering students who graduated with this degree at Stevens Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. General Systems Engineering graduates of Stevens Institute Of Technology earn a median of $110,877 early in their careers. Stevens Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $26,767 in student loans.
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Washington University In St Louis ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best general systems engineering schools. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Washington University In St Louis awarded about 31 general systems engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $83,874. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
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Worcester Polytechnic Institute earned the #22 position for general systems engineering this year. Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Worcester. About 90% of students finish within six years. Worcester Polytechnic Institute awarded about 52 general systems engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general systems engineering degree from Worcester Polytechnic Institute earn around $127,141 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,259 to complete this degree.
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California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned the #23 position for general systems engineering this year. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates 68% of students within six years. California State Polytechnic University Pomona awarded about 17 general systems engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general systems engineering program make about $49,427 in their early career. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates carry a median of $17,226 in student loans.
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Colorado State University Fort Collins placed #24 among the best general systems engineering schools. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. Colorado State University Fort Collins awarded about 51 general systems engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general systems engineering degree from Colorado State University Fort Collins earn around $51,693 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,843.
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University Of Maryland Baltimore County landed the #25 spot for general systems engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 17 general systems engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland Baltimore County in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general systems engineering program make about $49,179 in their early career. University Of Maryland Baltimore County graduates carry a median of $21,331 in student loans.
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Rest of the Top 50 General Systems Engineering Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general systems engineering ranking:
General Systems Engineering Related Rankings by Major
General Systems Engineering is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 54 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).
