by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for systems science & theory students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in systems science & theory, balancing cost against outcomes.
Stanford University tops our 2027 list of the best value systems science & theory schools in the United States. 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. Early-career systems science & theory graduates make about $100,827. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in systems science & theory, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Systems Science & Theory graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. 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. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in systems science & theory will find it at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #3. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $20,600 to complete the systems science & theory program here. Early-career systems science & theory graduates make about $35,239. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Marshall University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in systems science & theory, landing the #4 spot this year. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,162, while out-of-state students pay about $20,342. Typical student debt for systems science & theory graduates is $25,250. Soon after graduation, systems science & theory degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $29,539. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in systems science & theory will find it at James Madison University, which ranked #5. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. In-state tuition and fees average $13,966, with out-of-state students paying around $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. James Madison University admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Iowa ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value systems science & theory schools. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Systems Science & Theory graduates carry a median of $24,463 in student loans. Early-career systems science & theory graduates make about $57,375. That is a strong return on a $24,463 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Claremont Mckenna College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value systems science & theory schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the systems science & theory program here. Early-career systems science & theory graduates make about $66,028. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 10%.
Carnegie Mellon University placed #8 among the best values for systems science & theory. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,636. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the systems science & theory program here. Early-career systems science & theory graduates make about $95,598. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Carnegie Mellon University admits about 12% of applicants.
Pitzer College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value systems science & theory schools. Located in the suburb of Claremont, Pitzer College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,192. Students borrow a median of $18,125 to complete the systems science & theory program here. Early-career systems science & theory graduates make about $40,668. Set against $18,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 25%.
Rhode Island School Of Design placed #10 among the best values for systems science & theory. Rhode Island School Of Design 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 $62,688. Students borrow a median of $26,748 to complete the systems science & theory program here. Systems Science & Theory graduates of Rhode Island School Of Design earn a median of $34,265 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,748 median debt. Rhode Island School Of Design admits about 19% of applicants.
Explore the best-value systems science & theory schools at other degree levels:
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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.