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. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 21 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying systems engineering schools.
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Below are the schools whose systems engineering graduates go on to earn the most.
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying systems engineering schools in the United States. Located in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the systems engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $194,940.
A rank of #2 makes Johns Hopkins University one of the highest-paying schools for systems engineering. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, systems engineering degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University typically earn about $155,023 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in systems engineering will find them at University Of Southern California, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Southern California typically earn about $163,073 annually.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying systems engineering schools. Located in the city of Daytona Beach, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the systems engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $167,828.
Strong graduate earnings at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide earned it the #5 place for systems engineering. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Daytona Beach. Students who complete the systems engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $167,828.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying systems engineering schools. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Systems Engineering graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of about $147,527 a year early in their careers.
George Mason University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying systems engineering schools. George Mason University is a public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. After graduating, systems engineering degree recipients from George Mason University typically earn about $154,712 annually.
George Washington University landed the #8 spot for systems engineering salaries this year. George Washington University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. After graduating, systems engineering degree recipients from George Washington University typically earn about $146,616 annually.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for systems engineering. Located in the city of Worcester, Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career systems engineering graduates from Worcester Polytechnic Institute make a median of around $133,448 per year.
Cornell University came in at #10 for systems engineering graduate earnings this year. Cornell University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. After graduating, systems engineering degree recipients from Cornell University typically earn about $143,008 annually.
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #11 spot for systems engineering salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. Early-career systems engineering graduates from University Of Virginia Main Campus make a median of around $142,475 per year.
Southern Methodist University earned the #12 position for systems engineering graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, systems engineering degree recipients from Southern Methodist University typically earn about $137,839 annually.
University Of Florida earned the #13 position for systems engineering graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a public institution. Systems Engineering graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of about $138,498 a year early in their careers.
Stevens Institute Of Technology earned the #14 position for systems engineering graduate earnings this year. Stevens Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hoboken. After graduating, systems engineering degree recipients from Stevens Institute Of Technology typically earn about $132,094 annually.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying systems engineering schools. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a public institution. After graduating, systems engineering degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus typically earn about $118,944 annually.
Missouri University Of Science And Technology earned the #16 position for systems engineering graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a public institution. After graduating, systems engineering degree recipients from Missouri University Of Science And Technology typically earn about $111,229 annually.
The University Of Texas At Dallas came in at #17 for systems engineering graduate earnings this year. The University Of Texas At Dallas is a public school located in the city of Richardson. Early-career systems engineering graduates from The University Of Texas At Dallas make a median of around $109,325 per year.
Florida Institute Of Technology earned the #18 position for systems engineering graduate earnings this year. Florida Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Melbourne. Early-career systems engineering graduates from Florida Institute Of Technology make a median of around $104,584 per year.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota earned the #19 position for systems engineering graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the systems engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $103,763.
Northeastern University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying systems engineering schools. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Systems Engineering graduates of Northeastern University earn a median of about $88,691 a year early in their careers.
The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #21 for systems engineering graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a public institution. Students who complete the systems engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $77,904.
Explore the highest-paying systems engineering schools at other degree levels:
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their systems engineering graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 21 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.
