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 schools below stand out for the salaries their systems engineering graduates go on to command.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 3 schools on the early-career earnings of their systems engineering graduates.
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.
For graduate earnings in systems engineering, no school beat Massachusetts Institute Of Technology this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career systems engineering graduates from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology make a median of around $194,940 per year.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute produces some of the highest-paid graduates in systems engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, systems engineering degree recipients from Worcester Polytechnic Institute typically earn about $133,448 annually.
Northeastern University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in systems engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career systems engineering graduates from Northeastern University make a median of around $88,691 per year.
The ranking above is published 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 · 3 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.