2026 Best Value Systems Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

University Of Michigan Dearborn
Dearborn, MI

For return on investment in systems engineering, no school beat University Of Michigan Dearborn this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,640, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. Typical student debt for systems engineering graduates is $26,516. Early-career systems engineering graduates make about $62,536. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great value for students pursuing a degree in systems engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

Students looking for strong value in systems engineering will find it at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #3. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical student debt for systems engineering graduates is $17,800. Early-career systems engineering graduates make about $81,785. That is a strong return on a $17,800 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.

4

University Of Detroit Mercy
Detroit, MI

A rank of #4 makes University Of Detroit Mercy one of the best values for systems engineering. Located in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,946. Typical student debt for systems engineering graduates is $29,053. Early-career systems engineering graduates make about $76,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Detroit Mercy admits about 75% of applicants.

5

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Madison earned it the #5 place for systems engineering. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Typical student debt for systems engineering graduates is $21,813. Early-career systems engineering graduates make about $59,877. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of Dayton
Dayton, OH

University Of Dayton earned the #6 position for value in systems engineering this year. University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dayton. In-state tuition and fees average $49,140. Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,033 in student loans. Systems Engineering graduates of University Of Dayton earn a median of $56,077 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,033 median debt. University Of Dayton admits about 65% of applicants.