by our College Data Analytics Team
[Systems Engineering](/majors/engineering/systems-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. The highest-paying schools turn a systems engineering degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find where systems engineering graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send systems engineering graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
University Of Virginia Main Campus tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying systems engineering schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. After graduating, systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus typically earn about $131,258 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at George Mason University earned it the #2 place for systems engineering. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a public institution. After graduating, systems engineering degree recipients from George Mason University typically earn about $120,847 annually.
University Of Florida came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying systems engineering schools. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a public institution. After graduating, systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Florida typically earn about $108,020 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in systems engineering will find them at Maine Maritime Academy, which ranked #4. Located in the rural area of Castine, Maine Maritime Academy is a public institution. Systems Engineering graduates of Maine Maritime Academy earn a median of about $90,393 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Arizona earned it the #5 place for systems engineering. University Of Arizona is a public school located in the city of Tucson. Students who complete the systems engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $103,877.
Washington University In St Louis earned the #6 position for systems engineering graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. Systems Engineering graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of about $83,874 a year early in their careers.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying systems engineering schools. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. After graduating, systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign typically earn about $81,785 annually.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earned the #8 position for systems engineering graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a public institution. Early-career systems engineering graduates from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte make a median of around $89,128 per year.
Otterbein University placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for systems engineering. Otterbein University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Westerville. Systems Engineering graduates of Otterbein University earn a median of about $63,243 a year early in their careers.
Kennesaw State University came in at #10 for systems engineering graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a public institution. Students who complete the systems engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $62,015.
Texas A And M International University came in at #11 for systems engineering graduate earnings this year. Texas A And M International University is a public school located in the city of Laredo. Systems Engineering graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of about $49,755 a year early in their careers.
Explore the highest-paying systems engineering schools at other degree levels:
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries systems engineering graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 11 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.