2027 Best Value Systems Science & Theory Schools
[Systems Science & Theory](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/systems-science-theory/systems-science-and-theory/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 27 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value systems science & theory schools.
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Finding the Best Value Systems Science & Theory School for You
Where you study systems science & theory affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built our Best Value Systems Science & Theory Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
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2027 Best Value Systems Science & Theory Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the systems science & theory degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Systems Science & Theory Schools
Leading the list is University Of California Berkeley, our #1 best value for systems science & theory in the United States. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Systems Science & Theory graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. Early-career systems science & 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 is a great value for students pursuing a degree in systems science & theory, landing the #2 spot this year. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. Typical student debt for systems science & theory graduates is $11,904. Soon after graduation, systems science & theory degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $75,299. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in systems science & theory will find it at Stanford University, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Systems Science & Theory graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, systems science & theory degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in systems science & theory, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,620 to complete the systems science & theory program here. Early-career systems science & theory graduates make about $51,790. Set against $21,620 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Eastern Illinois University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value systems science & theory schools. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, while out-of-state students pay about $15,859. Students borrow a median of $24,293 to complete the systems science & theory program here. Systems Science & Theory graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $43,603 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,293 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus placed #6 among the best values for systems science & theory. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical student debt for systems science & theory graduates is $19,844. Soon after graduation, systems science & theory degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $63,111. Set against $19,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of Chicago placed #7 among the best values for systems science & theory. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the systems science & theory program here. Systems Science & Theory graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #8 for value in systems science & theory this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Systems Science & Theory graduates carry a median of $20,600 in student loans. Early-career systems science & theory graduates make about $35,239. Set against $20,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Marshall University landed the #9 spot for systems science & theory value this year. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Typical student debt for systems science & theory graduates is $25,250. Systems Science & Theory graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $29,539 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.
Central Wyoming College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value systems science & theory schools. Set in the town of Riverton, Central Wyoming College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800, with out-of-state students paying around $11,100. Students borrow a median of $12,820 to complete the systems science & theory program here. Soon after graduation, systems science & theory degree recipients from Central Wyoming College generally make around $65,164. Set against $12,820 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arizona State University earned the #11 position for value in systems science & theory this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $21,842 to complete the systems science & theory program here. Early-career systems science & theory graduates make about $55,876. Set against $21,842 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #12 spot for systems science & theory value this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Systems Science & Theory graduates carry a median of $22,113 in student loans. Soon after graduation, systems science & theory degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $65,032. Set against $22,113 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Rutgers University Camden came in at #13 for value in systems science & theory this year. Set in the city of Camden, Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,764, with out-of-state students paying around $37,276. Students borrow a median of $24,577 to complete the systems science & theory program here. Systems Science & Theory graduates of Rutgers University Camden earn a median of $54,504 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Harvard University placed #14 among the best values for systems science & theory. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Systems Science & Theory graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, systems science & theory degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Vermont landed the #15 spot for systems science & theory value this year. Set in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $19,058 in tuition and fees, compared with $45,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for systems science & theory graduates is $22,607. Early-career systems science & theory graduates make about $44,588. That is a strong return on a $22,607 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Suny At Binghamton placed #16 among the best values for systems science & theory. Located in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,567, while out-of-state students pay about $30,447. Students borrow a median of $20,691 to complete the systems science & theory program here. Early-career systems science & theory graduates make about $86,628. That is a strong return on a $20,691 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
James Madison University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value systems science & theory schools. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,966 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,312. Systems Science & Theory graduates carry a median of $22,301 in student loans. Systems Science & Theory graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $65,683 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Iowa ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value systems science & theory schools. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for systems science & theory graduates is $24,463. Early-career systems science & theory graduates make about $57,375. That is a strong return on a $24,463 median debt. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
Boston University came in at #19 for value in systems science & theory this year. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for systems science & theory graduates is $25,232. Systems Science & Theory graduates of Boston University earn a median of $63,598 early in their careers. Set against $25,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Claremont Mckenna College came in at #20 for value in systems science & theory this year. Located in the suburb of Claremont, Claremont Mckenna College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,980. Typical student debt for systems science & theory graduates is $12,000. Early-career systems science & theory graduates make about $66,028. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
Carnegie Mellon University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value systems science & theory schools. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,636 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for systems science & theory graduates is $23,250. Systems Science & Theory graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $95,598 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Carnegie Mellon University admits about 12% of applicants.
Johnson And Wales University Providence earned the #22 position for value in systems science & 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 science & theory graduates is $26,350. Systems Science & Theory graduates of Johnson And Wales University Providence earn a median of $45,920 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,350 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Pitzer College earned the #23 position for value in systems science & theory this year. Located in the suburb of Claremont, Pitzer College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,192 in tuition and fees. Systems Science & Theory graduates carry a median of $18,125 in student loans. Systems Science & Theory graduates of Pitzer College earn a median of $40,668 early in their careers. Set against $18,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 25%.
Savannah College Of Art And Design ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value systems science & theory schools. Set in the city of Savannah, Savannah College Of Art And Design is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,630. Systems Science & Theory graduates carry a median of $26,346 in student loans. Early-career systems science & theory graduates make about $40,671. That is a strong return on a $26,346 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Rhode Island School Of Design ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value systems science & theory schools. Located in the city of Providence, Rhode Island School Of Design is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. Systems Science & Theory graduates carry a median of $26,748 in student loans. Soon after graduation, systems science & theory degree recipients from Rhode Island School Of Design generally make around $34,265. That is a strong return on a $26,748 median debt. The acceptance rate is 19%.
Rest of the Top 27 Best Value Systems Science & Theory Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for systems science & theory this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 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.
