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2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Systems Engineering

24 Ranked Colleges
114 Degrees Awarded
$33,700 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Systems Engineering Schools for a Doctorate

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Systems Engineering Schools for a Doctorate” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Systems Engineering is the 164th most popular major in the country with 3,604 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, systems engineering graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $90,261 and had an average of $27,803 in loans still to pay off.

At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 114 systems engineering graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,680 and $116,043 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Systems Engineering Schools for a Doctorate” ranking, we looked at 24 colleges that offer a degree in systems engineering. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality systems engineering programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the systems engineering program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Systems Engineering Schools for a Doctorate” list to help you make the college decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Systems Engineering Schools for a Doctorate

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Systems Engineering Schools for a Doctorate.

Top 24 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Systems Engineering

#1

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas
#18 in overall quality

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Systems Engineering Schools for a Doctorate that were part of this year’s ranking, Texas Tech University landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Lubbock, Texas, this large public school handed out 4 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s systems engineering students in 2019-2020.

Texas Tech also took the #18 spot in our “Best Systems Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Texas Tech University are $17,530.

Full Texas Tech University Systems Engineering Report

#2

University of Virginia - Main Campus

Charlottesville, Virginia
#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Virginia - Main Campus. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Systems Engineering Schools for a Doctorate. Charlottesville, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s systems engineering degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Virginia, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Systems Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Virginia - Main Campus are $32,394.

Read more about Systems Engineering at University of Virginia - Main Campus

#3

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida
#9 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Florida. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Systems Engineering Schools for a Doctorate list. Gainesville, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s systems engineering degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

UF also made our “Best Systems Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #9. Average graduate tuition and fees at UF are $30,130, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UF Systems Engineering Report

#11 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Arizona State University - Tempe. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Systems Engineering Schools for a Doctorate list. Arizona State University - Tempe is located in Tempe, Arizona and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 10 doctorate’s systems engineering degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at ASU - Tempe, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Systems Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at ASU - Tempe are $27,048, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Systems Engineering at Arizona State University - Tempe

#5

Florida Institute of Technology

Melbourne, Florida
#21 in overall quality

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Systems Engineering Schools for a Doctorate that were part of this year’s ranking, Florida Institute of Technology landed the #5 spot on the list. Melbourne, Florida is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s systems engineering degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Florida Tech, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Systems Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida Tech are $22,588, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Systems Engineering at Florida Tech

#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Systems Engineering Schools for a Doctorate list. UIUC is located in Champaign, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 doctorate’s systems engineering degrees to qualified students.

UIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Systems Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIUC are $30,083, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Systems Engineering Report

#17 in overall quality

Colorado State University - Fort Collins came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Systems Engineering Schools for a Doctorate ranking. Colorado State is a public institution located in Fort Collins, Colorado. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Colorado State also made our “Best Systems Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #17. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Colorado State University - Fort Collins are $28,055.

Read more about Systems Engineering at Colorado State University - Fort Collins

#8

Oakland University

Rochester Hills, Michigan
#20 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, Oakland University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Systems Engineering Schools for a Doctorate list. Oakland is a fairly large school located in Rochester Hills, Michigan that handed out 2 doctorate’s systems engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Oakland, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Systems Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Oakland University are $24,648, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Systems Engineering at Oakland

#9

George Washington University

Washington, District of Columbia

George Washington University landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Systems Engineering Schools for a Doctorate ranking. Washington, District of Columbia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s systems engineering degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

GWU also made our “Best Systems Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #4. Average graduate tuition and fees at George Washington University are $31,824, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full George Washington University Systems Engineering Report

#16 in overall quality

Missouri University of Science and Technology did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Systems Engineering Schools for a Doctorate ranking, coming in at #10. Missouri University of Science and Technology is a medium-sized public school situated in Rolla, Missouri. It awarded 4 doctorate’s systems engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

Missouri University of Science and Technology did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Systems Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Missouri University of Science and Technology are $30,943.

Full Missouri University of Science and Technology Systems Engineering Report

#13 in overall quality

University of California - San Diego ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Systems Engineering Schools for a Doctorate list. This large school is located in La Jolla, California, and it awarded 7 doctorate’s systems engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSD, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Systems Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - San Diego are $28,631.

Full University of California - San Diego Systems Engineering Report

#12

University of South Alabama

Mobile, Alabama
#24 in overall quality

University of South Alabama did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Systems Engineering Schools for a Doctorate ranking, coming in at #12. Mobile, Alabama is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s systems engineering degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

USA also took the #24 spot in our “Best Systems Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of South Alabama are $16,112, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Systems Engineering at USA

#13

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York
#10 in overall quality

Cornell University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Systems Engineering Schools for a Doctorate ranking. Cornell University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Ithaca, New York. It awarded 1 doctorate’s systems engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

Cornell also took the #10 spot in our “Best Systems Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Cornell are $30,042.

Read more about Systems Engineering at Cornell University

#23 in overall quality

The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Systems Engineering Schools for a Doctorate list. Located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, this fairly large public school handed out 1 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s systems engineering students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree systems engineering students list, UT Chattanooga has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Systems Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Chattanooga are $18,334, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Systems Engineering at UT Chattanooga

#15

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona
#12 in overall quality

University of Arizona came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Systems Engineering Schools for a Doctorate ranking. This large school is located in Tucson, Arizona, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s systems engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Arizona, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Systems Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Arizona are $33,399.

Read full report on Systems Engineering at University of Arizona

#22 in overall quality

University of Louisiana at Lafayette ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Systems Engineering Schools for a Doctorate list. University of Louisiana at Lafayette is a public institution located in Lafayette, Louisiana. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 10 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UL Lafayette not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Systems Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UL Lafayette are $23,865, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Louisiana at Lafayette Systems Engineering Report

#17

George Mason University

Fairfax, Virginia
#14 in overall quality

George Mason University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Systems Engineering Schools for a Doctorate ranking, coming in at #17. George Mason University is located in Fairfax, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 doctorate’s systems engineering degrees to qualified students.

GMU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Systems Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at GMU are $37,410, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full George Mason University Systems Engineering Report

#18

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California
#19 in overall quality

With a ranking of #18, University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Systems Engineering Schools for a Doctorate list. UC Santa Cruz is located in Santa Cruz, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 doctorate’s systems engineering degrees to qualified students.

UC Santa Cruz did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Systems Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Santa Cruz are $28,952, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Systems Engineering at UC Santa Cruz

#19

Stevens Institute of Technology

Hoboken, New Jersey
#15 in overall quality

Stevens Institute of Technology came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Systems Engineering Schools for a Doctorate ranking. Stevens Institute of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution located in Hoboken, New Jersey. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Stevens not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Systems Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stevens are $38,876, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Systems Engineering at Stevens

#6 in overall quality

Case Western Reserve University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Systems Engineering Schools for a Doctorate ranking. Case Western is a fairly large school located in Cleveland, Ohio that handed out 3 doctorate’s systems engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

Case Western did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Systems Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Case Western are $47,958, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Case Western Systems Engineering Report

#21

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#1 in overall quality

Massachusetts Institute of Technology came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Systems Engineering Schools for a Doctorate ranking. Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 7 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at MIT, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Systems Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at MIT are $56,719.

Read full report on Systems Engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

#22

Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
#2 in overall quality

Washington University in St Louis did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Systems Engineering Schools for a Doctorate ranking, coming in at #22. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 3 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s systems engineering students in 2019-2020.

WUSTL also made our “Best Systems Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #2. Average graduate tuition and fees at WUSTL are $56,562, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full WUSTL Systems Engineering Report

#23

Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts
#5 in overall quality

Boston University landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Systems Engineering Schools for a Doctorate ranking. Boston University is a large school located in Boston, Massachusetts that handed out 10 doctorate’s systems engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree systems engineering students list, Boston U has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Systems Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Boston University are $57,666, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Boston U Systems Engineering Report

#7 in overall quality

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Systems Engineering Schools for a Doctorate ranking, coming in at #24. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is located in Troy, New York and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 doctorate’s systems engineering degrees to qualified students.

RPI also made our “Best Systems Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #7. Average graduate tuition and fees at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are $58,325, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Systems Engineering Report

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to luis gomes.

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