2027 Best Value Systems Theory Master’s Degree Schools
[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.
College Factual analyzed 19 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value systems theory schools.
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2027 Best Value Systems Theory Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the systems theory degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Systems Theory Schools
For return on investment in systems theory, no school beat University Of California Berkeley this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Systems Theory graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. Early-career systems theory graduates make about $70,847. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Rice University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value systems theory schools. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. Systems Theory graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. Soon after graduation, systems theory degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $75,299. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Stanford University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in systems theory, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the systems theory program here. Systems Theory graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Eastern Illinois University earned it the #4 place for systems theory. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,377, while out-of-state students pay about $15,859. Systems Theory graduates carry a median of $24,293 in student loans. Early-career systems theory graduates make about $43,603. Set against $24,293 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in systems theory will find it at University Of Central Florida, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for systems theory graduates is $21,620. Systems Theory graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $51,790 early in their careers. Set against $21,620 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Arizona State University landed the #6 spot for systems theory value this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,842 to complete the systems theory program here. Soon after graduation, systems theory degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $55,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Rutgers University Camden ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value systems theory schools. Located in the city of Camden, Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $17,764 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,276. Typical student debt for systems theory graduates is $24,577. Early-career systems theory graduates make about $54,504. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rutgers University Camden admits about 66% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #8 position for value in systems theory this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Typical student debt for systems theory graduates is $22,113. Systems Theory graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $65,032 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,113 median debt. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
Harvard University came in at #9 for value in systems theory this year. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the systems theory program here. Soon after graduation, systems theory degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of Vermont earned the #10 position for value in systems theory this year. Located in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $19,058, compared with $45,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,607 to complete the systems theory program here. Early-career systems theory graduates make about $44,588. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Suny At Binghamton placed #11 among the best values for systems theory. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,567, while out-of-state students pay about $30,447. Typical student debt for systems theory graduates is $20,691. Systems Theory graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $86,628 early in their careers. Set against $20,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University Skysong placed #12 among the best values for systems theory. Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public school located in the city of Scottsdale. In-state tuition and fees average $11,627, compared with $13,925 for out-of-state students. Systems Theory graduates carry a median of $22,870 in student loans. Systems Theory graduates of Arizona State University Skysong earn a median of $55,394 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,870 median debt. Arizona State University Skysong admits about 67% of applicants.
James Madison University placed #13 among the best values for systems theory. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,966, while out-of-state students pay about $31,312. Systems Theory graduates carry a median of $22,301 in student loans. Early-career systems theory graduates make about $65,683. That is a strong return on a $22,301 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Boston University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value systems theory schools. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Typical student debt for systems theory graduates is $25,232. Soon after graduation, systems theory degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $63,598. That is a strong return on a $25,232 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Johnson And Wales University Providence earned the #15 position for value in systems theory this year. Johnson And Wales University Providence is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,982. Typical student debt for systems theory graduates is $26,350. Early-career systems theory graduates make about $45,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Johnson And Wales University Providence admits about 88% of applicants.
Savannah College Of Art And Design placed #16 among the best values for systems theory. Located in the city of Savannah, Savannah College Of Art And Design is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,630. Students borrow a median of $26,346 to complete the systems theory program here. Systems Theory graduates of Savannah College Of Art And Design earn a median of $40,671 early in their careers. Set against $26,346 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Savannah College Of Art And Design admits about 83% of applicants.
Rhode Island School Of Design came in at #17 for value in systems theory this year. Located in the city of Providence, Rhode Island School Of Design is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Typical student debt for systems theory graduates is $26,748. Systems Theory graduates of Rhode Island School Of Design earn a median of $34,265 early in their careers. Set against $26,748 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.
School Of Visual Arts landed the #18 spot for systems theory value this year. Set in the city of New York, School Of Visual Arts is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,400. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the systems theory program here. Systems Theory graduates of School Of Visual Arts earn a median of $68,946 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
The New School landed the #19 spot for systems theory value this year. The New School is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $58,730. Systems Theory graduates carry a median of $24,460 in student loans. Early-career systems theory graduates make about $97,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Other Systems Theory Degree Levels
Explore the best-value systems theory schools at other degree levels:
View All Systems Theory Rankings >
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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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.
