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2026 Best Systems Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools

12 Colleges in the United States
430 Systems Engineering Degrees Awarded
$81,061 Avg Early-Career Salary

Systems Engineering is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 119 schools to find the best for systems engineering students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Systems Engineering in the United States

These are the top schools for a bachelor’s degree in systems engineering, based on student outcomes and program quality.

Top Schools in Systems Engineering

1

University Of Virginia Main Campus tops our 2026 ranking of the best systems engineering schools. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 61 systems engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the systems engineering program make about $91,178 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. See the full systems engineering program report for University Of Virginia Main Campus

2
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in systems engineering, ranking #2. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 21 systems engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $99,682. University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. See the full systems engineering program report for University Of Pennsylvania

3

A rank of #3 makes United States Merchant Marine Academy one of the top schools for systems engineering. Located in the suburb of Kings Point, United States Merchant Marine Academy is a small public university. United States Merchant Marine Academy graduates 82% of students within six years. United States Merchant Marine Academy awarded about 36 systems engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their systems engineering degree from United States Merchant Marine Academy earn around $69,847 in the first couple years of their career. See the full systems engineering program report for United States Merchant Marine Academy

4

Washington University In St Louis is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in systems engineering, ranking #4. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of St. Louis. Washington University In St Louis graduates 94% of students within six years. Washington University In St Louis awarded about 13 systems engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $83,874. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. Get the full systems engineering details for Washington University In St Louis

5
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in systems engineering, ranking #5. This very large public university is located in the city of Gainesville. About 91% of students finish within six years. About 93 systems engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Florida in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $85,698. University Of Florida graduates carry a median of $19,250 in student loans. Get the full systems engineering details for University Of Florida

6

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #6 on our 2026 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. About 58 systems engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $81,785. Students borrow a median of $17,800 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in systems engineering from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

7

George Washington University came in at #7 for systems engineering this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 systems engineering students who graduated with this degree at George Washington University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $119,258. Students borrow a median of $22,910 to complete this degree. See the full systems engineering program report for George Washington University

8

George Mason University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best systems engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fairfax. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 17 systems engineering students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $84,942. Typical student debt for the program is $21,000. Read more about the systems engineering program at George Mason University

9

University Of Arizona placed #9 among the best systems engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Tucson. About 68% of students finish within six years. University Of Arizona awarded about 40 systems engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Systems Engineering graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $76,660 early in their careers. University Of Arizona graduates carry a median of $18,250 in student loans. Get the full systems engineering details for University Of Arizona

10

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #10 among the best systems engineering schools. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. About 69% of students finish within six years. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte awarded about 24 systems engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their systems engineering degree from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn around $68,034 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in systems engineering from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte

11

Kennesaw State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best systems engineering schools. Kennesaw State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kennesaw. Kennesaw State University graduates 52% of students within six years. There were roughly 27 systems engineering students who graduated with this degree at Kennesaw State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their systems engineering degree from Kennesaw State University earn around $62,015 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $31,000. Get the full systems engineering details for Kennesaw State University

12

Texas A And M International University placed #12 among the best systems engineering schools. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. Texas A And M International University graduates 46% of students within six years. Texas A And M International University awarded about 27 systems engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their systems engineering degree from Texas A And M International University earn around $49,755 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,243 to complete this degree. Get the full systems engineering details for Texas A And M International University

Other Systems Engineering Degree Levels

Explore the best systems engineering schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Systems Engineering
Associate's Degrees in Systems Engineering
Master's Degrees in Systems Engineering
View All Systems Engineering Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 119 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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