by our College Data Analytics Team
[Systems Engineering](/majors/engineering/systems-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 54 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for systems engineering students.
What’s on this page:
The systems engineering program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value 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 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.
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.
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the systems engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is United States Merchant Marine Academy, our #1 best value for systems engineering in the United States. Set in the suburb of Kings Point, United States Merchant Marine Academy is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $895 in tuition and fees. Soon after graduation, 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 systems engineering will find it at University Of Florida, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $19,250 to complete the systems engineering program here. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $96,835. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in systems engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $118,944. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned it the #4 place for systems engineering. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans. Systems Engineering graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $122,914 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,137 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of California San Diego one of the best values for systems engineering. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Students borrow a median of $17,101 to complete the systems engineering program here. Systems Engineering graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $60,797 early in their careers. Set against $17,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value systems engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,781, compared with $20,381 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for systems engineering graduates is $17,226. Systems Engineering graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $49,427 early in their careers. Set against $17,226 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Dearborn placed #7 among the best values for systems engineering. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,516 to complete the systems engineering program here. Early-career systems engineering graduates make about $62,536. That is a strong return on a $26,516 median debt. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida earned the #8 position for value in systems engineering this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,620 in student loans. Early-career systems engineering graduates make about $51,790. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Weber State University placed #9 among the best values for systems engineering. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,176 in student loans. Early-career systems engineering graduates make about $53,920. That is a strong return on a $19,176 median debt.
Florida State University came in at #10 for value in systems engineering this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Students borrow a median of $20,488 to complete the systems engineering program here. Early-career systems engineering graduates make about $51,884. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
Texas A And M International University came in at #11 for value in systems engineering this year. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,243 in student loans. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $49,755. That is a strong return on a $10,243 median debt. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #12 spot for systems engineering value this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,800 in student loans. Early-career systems engineering graduates make about $81,785. That is a strong return on a $17,800 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Wichita State University landed the #13 spot for systems engineering value this year. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Typical student debt for systems engineering graduates is $24,262. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $49,278. That is a strong return on a $24,262 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Louisiana Lafayette ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value systems engineering schools. Located in the city of Lafayette, University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,418, while out-of-state students pay about $24,146. Typical student debt for systems engineering graduates is $24,373. Systems Engineering graduates of University Of Louisiana Lafayette earn a median of $42,873 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,373 median debt. University Of Louisiana Lafayette admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Houston landed the #15 spot for systems engineering value this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for systems engineering graduates is $21,255. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $57,529. That is a strong return on a $21,255 median debt. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of Detroit Mercy landed the #16 spot for systems engineering value this year. Set in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,946. Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $29,053 in student loans. Systems Engineering graduates of University Of Detroit Mercy earn a median of $76,755 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,053 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #17 for value in systems engineering this year. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. Early-career systems engineering graduates make about $93,203. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #18 position for value in systems engineering this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the systems engineering program here. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
University Of Utah ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value systems engineering schools. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for systems engineering graduates is $20,798. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $60,527. That is a strong return on a $20,798 median debt. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
Missouri University Of Science And Technology landed the #20 spot for systems engineering value this year. Set in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,984, with out-of-state students paying around $33,248. Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,187 in student loans. Early-career systems engineering graduates make about $111,229. That is a strong return on a $25,187 median debt. Missouri University Of Science And Technology admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County landed the #21 spot for systems engineering value this year. University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. 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 systems engineering graduates is $21,331. Early-career systems engineering graduates make about $49,179. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #22 for value in systems engineering this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career systems engineering graduates make about $68,034. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Kennesaw State University earned the #23 position for value in systems engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,808, with out-of-state students paying around $17,736. Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career systems engineering graduates make about $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 ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value systems engineering schools. Located in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $24,400. Typical student debt for systems engineering graduates is $28,375. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology generally make around $35,098. 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 earned the #25 position for value in systems engineering this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Typical student debt for systems engineering graduates is $13,426. Early-career systems engineering graduates make about $135,107. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in systems engineering:
Systems Engineering is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Systems Engineering | 3,745 |
View All Systems Engineering Concentrations >
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 54 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 54 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
