2027 Best Value Systems Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region
[Systems Engineering](/majors/engineering/systems-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value systems engineering schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Systems Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the systems engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Systems Engineering Schools
Our analysis ranked Texas A And M International University the best value for a degree in systems engineering in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,243 in student loans. Systems Engineering graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $49,755 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Houston one of the best values for systems engineering. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,255 in student loans. Early-career systems engineering graduates make about $57,529. Set against $21,255 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso is a great value for students pursuing a degree in systems engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. Early-career systems engineering graduates make about $93,203. Set against $19,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Arizona earned it the #4 place for systems engineering. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Typical student debt for systems engineering graduates is $18,250. Systems Engineering graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $76,660 early in their careers. Set against $18,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes The University Of Texas At Dallas one of the best values for systems engineering. The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public school located in the city of Richardson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,644, while out-of-state students pay about $40,144. Students borrow a median of $20,531 to complete the systems engineering program here. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Dallas generally make around $109,325. Set against $20,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Tech University landed the #6 spot for systems engineering value this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for systems engineering graduates is $24,271. Systems Engineering graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $50,332 early in their careers. Set against $24,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Southern Methodist University landed the #7 spot for systems engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,040. Students borrow a median of $20,712 to complete the systems engineering program here. Early-career systems engineering graduates make about $115,443. That is a strong return on a $20,712 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
