2026 Best Systems Engineering Master’s Degree Schools

1

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Our analysis ranked Johns Hopkins University the best school in the country for a degree in systems engineering. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 231 systems engineering students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $135,107. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete this degree. See the full systems engineering program report for Johns Hopkins University

2

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in systems engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. About 109 systems engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Students who receive their systems engineering degree from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn around $122,914 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete this degree. Read more about the systems engineering program at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

3

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in systems engineering, ranking #3. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 20 systems engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Systems Engineering graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $118,363 early in their careers. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Get the full systems engineering details for University Of Southern California

4

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in systems engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus graduates 94% of students within six years. About 40 systems engineering degrees were awarded at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus in the most recent year. Systems Engineering graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $118,944 early in their careers. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. More information about a degree in systems engineering from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus

5

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
Cambridge, MA

Students looking for a strong systems engineering program will find one at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology, which ranked #5. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 199 systems engineering students who graduated with this degree at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Systems Engineering graduates of Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earn a median of $151,271 early in their careers. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $13,516 in student loans. See the full systems engineering program report for Massachusetts Institute Of Technology

6

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego placed #6 among the best systems engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of La Jolla. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students within six years. About 19 systems engineering degrees were awarded at University Of California San Diego in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $60,797. Students borrow a median of $17,101 to complete this degree. Read more about the systems engineering program at University Of California San Diego

7

University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania landed the #7 spot for systems engineering this year. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 67 systems engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data 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

8

Colorado School Of Mines
Golden, CO

Colorado School Of Mines ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best systems engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Golden, Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 46 systems engineering students who graduated with this degree at Colorado School Of Mines in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from Colorado School Of Mines generally make around $76,298. Students borrow a median of $24,521 to complete this degree. Get the full systems engineering details for Colorado School Of Mines

9

University Of Denver
Denver, CO

University Of Denver landed the #9 spot for systems engineering this year. University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Denver. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Denver awarded about 30 systems engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Systems Engineering graduates of University Of Denver earn a median of $56,999 early in their careers. University Of Denver graduates carry a median of $22,534 in student loans. See the full systems engineering program report for University Of Denver

10

Cornell University
Ithaca, NY

Cornell University landed the #10 spot for systems engineering this year. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Cornell University graduates 95% of students within six years. Cornell University awarded about 124 systems engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Systems Engineering graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $117,455 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,005 to complete this degree. Read more about the systems engineering program at Cornell University

11

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #11 for systems engineering this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 10 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

12

Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA

Loyola Marymount University placed #12 among the best systems engineering schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit university. Loyola Marymount University graduates 79% of students within six years. About 12 systems engineering degrees were awarded at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent year. Graduates of the systems engineering program make about $52,935 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,248. See the full systems engineering program report for Loyola Marymount University

13

George Washington University
Washington, DC

George Washington University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best systems engineering schools. George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 77 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. George Washington University graduates carry a median of $22,910 in student loans. Read more about the systems engineering program at George Washington University

14

Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best systems engineering schools. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. About 89% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 16 systems engineering students who graduated with this degree at Boston University in the most recent data year. Systems Engineering graduates of Boston University earn a median of $63,598 early in their careers. Boston University graduates carry a median of $25,232 in student loans. More information about a degree in systems engineering from Boston University

15

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

University Of Houston earned the #15 position for systems engineering this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 56 systems engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Houston in the most recent year. Graduates of the systems engineering program make about $57,529 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,255. More information about a degree in systems engineering from University Of Houston

16

Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester, MA

Worcester Polytechnic Institute came in at #16 for systems engineering this year. Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Worcester. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. There were roughly 46 systems engineering students who graduated with this degree at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in the most recent data year. Graduates of the systems engineering program make about $127,141 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,259. See the full systems engineering program report for Worcester Polytechnic Institute

17

Washington University In St Louis
St. Louis, MO

Washington University In St Louis earned the #17 position for systems engineering this year. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. About 94% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 systems engineering students who graduated with this degree at Washington University In St Louis 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

18

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida landed the #18 spot for systems engineering this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. About 59 systems engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Florida in the most recent year. Graduates of the systems engineering program make about $107,972 in their early career. University Of Florida graduates carry a median of $19,250 in student loans. Get the full systems engineering details for University Of Florida

19

Stevens Institute Of Technology
Hoboken, NJ

Stevens Institute Of Technology landed the #19 spot for systems engineering this year. Stevens Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hoboken. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. About 139 systems engineering degrees were awarded at Stevens Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Graduates of the systems engineering program make about $110,877 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,767 to complete this degree. Read more about the systems engineering program at Stevens Institute Of Technology

20

Northeastern University
Boston, MA

Northeastern University placed #20 among the best systems engineering schools. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 47 systems engineering students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from Northeastern University generally make around $88,691. Northeastern University graduates carry a median of $25,611 in student loans. More information about a degree in systems engineering from Northeastern University

21

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Troy, NY

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best systems engineering schools. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Troy. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 23 systems engineering students who graduated with this degree at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in the most recent data year. Graduates of the systems engineering program make about $77,378 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,975. More information about a degree in systems engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

22

Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best systems engineering schools. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Roughly 78% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 systems engineering degrees were awarded at Drexel University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from Drexel University generally make around $67,556. Students borrow a median of $28,838 to complete this degree. See the full systems engineering program report for Drexel University

23

University Of Virginia Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA

University Of Virginia Main Campus earned the #23 position for systems engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 48 systems engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their systems engineering degree from University Of Virginia Main Campus earn around $115,773 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. See the full systems engineering program report for University Of Virginia Main Campus

24

Pennsylvania State University World Campus
University Park, PA

Pennsylvania State University World Campus ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best systems engineering schools. Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public school located in the city of University Park. Roughly 34% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 35 systems engineering students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University World Campus in the most recent data year. Get the full systems engineering details for Pennsylvania State University World Campus

25

The University Of Texas At Dallas
Richardson, TX

The University Of Texas At Dallas landed the #25 spot for systems engineering this year. Located in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 43 systems engineering degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Dallas in the most recent year. Systems Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At Dallas earn a median of $109,325 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,531. See the full systems engineering program report for The University Of Texas At Dallas