2027 Best Value Systems Theory Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Systems Theory](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/systems-science-theory/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for systems theory students.
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2027 Best Value Systems Theory Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in systems theory, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Systems Theory Schools
Eastern Illinois University tops our 2027 list of the best value systems theory schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,377 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for systems theory graduates is $24,293. Early-career systems theory graduates make about $43,603. That is a strong return on a $24,293 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value systems theory schools. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for systems theory graduates is $20,600. Soon after graduation, systems theory degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $35,239. Set against $20,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Purdue University Main Campus earned it the #3 place for systems theory. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical student debt for systems theory graduates is $19,844. Early-career systems theory graduates make about $63,111. That is a strong return on a $19,844 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Chicago one of the best values for systems theory. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Systems Theory graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Early-career systems theory graduates make about $81,002. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
