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.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools to find where systems engineering graduates earn the most.
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If you want to know which schools send systems engineering graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach the top school for systems engineering graduate earnings in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Daytona Beach, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach is a private not-for-profit institution. Systems Engineering graduates of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach earn a median of about $167,828 a year early in their careers.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying systems engineering schools. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Daytona Beach. Systems Engineering graduates of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide earn a median of about $167,828 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #3 makes George Mason University one of the highest-paying schools for systems engineering. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a public institution. Early-career systems engineering graduates from George Mason University make a median of around $139,950 per year.
University Of Virginia Main Campus produces some of the highest-paid graduates in systems engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Early-career systems engineering graduates from University Of Virginia Main Campus make a median of around $136,197 per year.
University Of Florida produces some of the highest-paid graduates in systems engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a public institution. Systems Engineering graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of about $119,850 a year early in their careers.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #6 for systems engineering graduate earnings this year. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a public school located in the city of Charlotte. After graduating, systems engineering degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte typically earn about $89,128 annually.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned the #7 position for systems engineering graduate earnings this year. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a public school located in the city of Atlanta. Systems Engineering graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of about $118,944 a year early in their careers.
Florida Institute Of Technology ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying systems engineering schools. Set in the city of Melbourne, Florida Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career systems engineering graduates from Florida Institute Of Technology make a median of around $104,584 per year.
Kennesaw State University landed the #9 spot for systems engineering salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a public institution. Systems Engineering graduates of Kennesaw State University earn a median of about $62,015 a year early in their careers.
This list is compiled 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 · 9 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.