Systems Engineering programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 54 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best systems engineering schools.
Where you study systems engineering matters for your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Systems Engineering rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Systems Engineering Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Systems Engineering in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the systems engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked University Of Wisconsin Madison the best school in the country for a degree in systems engineering. This very large public university is located in the city of Madison. About 90% of students finish within six years. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 20 systems engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Systems Engineering graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,813.
See the full systems engineering program report for University Of Wisconsin Madison
Johns Hopkins University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best systems engineering schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Baltimore. Johns Hopkins University graduates 94% of students within six years. Johns Hopkins University awarded about 293 systems engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $135,107. Johns Hopkins University graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans.
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University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in systems engineering, ranking #3. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. About 97 systems engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $122,914. Typical student debt for the program is $19,137.
See the full systems engineering program report for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
University Of Southern California came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best systems engineering schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Southern California awarded about 41 systems engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their systems engineering degree from University Of Southern California earn around $118,363 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans.
More information about a degree in systems engineering from University Of Southern California
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best systems engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Atlanta. About 94% of students finish within six years. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus awarded about 33 systems engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the systems engineering program make about $118,944 in their early career. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans.
Read more about the systems engineering program at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best systems engineering schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 112 systems engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Graduates of the systems engineering program make about $99,682 in their early career. University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans.
More information about a degree in systems engineering from University Of Pennsylvania
University Of Dayton ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best systems engineering schools. Located in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit university. University Of Dayton graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 20 systems engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Dayton in the most recent data year. Students who receive their systems engineering degree from University Of Dayton earn around $56,077 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,033 to complete this degree.
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Massachusetts Institute Of Technology came in at #8 for systems engineering this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 175 systems engineering degrees were awarded at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Students who receive their systems engineering degree from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earn around $151,271 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,516.
See the full systems engineering program report for Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
University Of California San Diego placed #9 among the best systems engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of La Jolla. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 20 systems engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of California San Diego in the most recent data year. Systems Engineering graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $60,797 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,101 to complete this degree.
Read more about the systems engineering program at University Of California San Diego
Colorado School Of Mines came in at #10 for systems engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Golden, Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public university. About 82% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 62 systems engineering students who graduated with this degree at Colorado School Of Mines in the most recent data year. Students who receive their systems engineering degree from Colorado School Of Mines earn around $76,298 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,521 to complete this degree.
Read more about the systems engineering program at Colorado School Of Mines
University Of Detroit Mercy placed #11 among the best systems engineering schools. Set in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. University Of Detroit Mercy awarded about 12 systems engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Detroit Mercy generally make around $76,755. Typical student debt for the program is $29,053.
See the full systems engineering program report for University Of Detroit Mercy
University Of Virginia Main Campus earned the #12 position for systems engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 156 systems engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $103,476. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans.
Read more about the systems engineering program at University Of Virginia Main Campus
University Of Florida came in at #13 for systems engineering this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. About 91% of students finish within six years. About 652 systems engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Florida in the most recent year. Students who receive their systems engineering degree from University Of Florida earn around $96,835 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Florida graduates carry a median of $19,250 in student loans.
More information about a degree in systems engineering from University Of Florida
United States Merchant Marine Academy ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best systems engineering schools. United States Merchant Marine Academy is a small public school located in the suburb of Kings Point. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. United States Merchant Marine Academy awarded about 27 systems engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from United States Merchant Marine Academy generally make around $69,847.
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University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best systems engineering schools. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 78 systems engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the systems engineering program make about $81,785 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,800.
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Cornell University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best systems engineering schools. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 206 systems engineering students who graduated with this degree at Cornell University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the systems engineering program make about $117,455 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,005 to complete this degree.
See the full systems engineering program report for Cornell University
University Of Denver earned the #17 position for systems engineering this year. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit university. About 76% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 37 systems engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Denver in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Denver generally make around $56,999. Typical student debt for the program is $22,534.
Read more about the systems engineering program at University Of Denver
University Of Utah ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best systems engineering schools. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. About 65% of students finish within six years. University Of Utah awarded about 25 systems engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $60,527. Typical student debt for the program is $20,798.
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George Washington University earned the #19 position for systems engineering this year. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. George Washington University graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 87 systems engineering students who graduated with this degree at George Washington University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their systems engineering degree from George Washington University earn around $119,258 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,910.
More information about a degree in systems engineering from George Washington University
Stevens Institute Of Technology ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best systems engineering schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Hoboken. About 87% of students finish within six years. About 252 systems engineering degrees were awarded at Stevens Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from Stevens Institute Of Technology generally make around $110,877. Typical student debt for the program is $26,767.
More information about a degree in systems engineering from Stevens Institute Of Technology
Washington University In St Louis placed #21 among the best systems engineering schools. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Washington University In St Louis graduates 94% of students within six years. Washington University In St Louis awarded about 31 systems engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their systems engineering degree from Washington University In St Louis earn around $83,874 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
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Worcester Polytechnic Institute landed the #22 spot for systems engineering this year. Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Worcester. Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduates 90% of students within six years. Worcester Polytechnic Institute awarded about 52 systems engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the systems engineering program make about $127,141 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,259 to complete this degree.
Get the full systems engineering details for Worcester Polytechnic Institute
California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned the #23 position for systems engineering this year. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 17 systems engineering students who graduated with this degree at California State Polytechnic University Pomona in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $49,427. Students borrow a median of $17,226 to complete this degree.
See the full systems engineering program report for California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Colorado State University Fort Collins earned the #24 position for systems engineering this year. Set in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public institution. Colorado State University Fort Collins graduates 66% of students within six years. Colorado State University Fort Collins awarded about 51 systems engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their systems engineering degree from Colorado State University Fort Collins earn around $51,693 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,843 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in systems engineering from Colorado State University Fort Collins
University Of Maryland Baltimore County came in at #25 for systems engineering this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Baltimore. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 17 systems engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland Baltimore County in the most recent year. Systems Engineering graduates of University Of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of $49,179 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,331 to complete this degree.
See the full systems engineering program report for University Of Maryland Baltimore County
Rest of the Top 50 Systems Engineering Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong systems engineering education:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 54 schools evaluated.
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).
