2026 Best Value Systems Science & Theory Master’s Degree Schools
[Systems Science & Theory](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/systems-science-theory/systems-science-and-theory/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong systems science & theory education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 59 schools to find the best return on investment for systems science & theory students.
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2026 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
For return on investment in systems science & theory, no school beat University Of Central Florida this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for systems science & theory graduates is $21,620. Systems Science & Theory graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $51,790 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,620 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in systems science & theory, landing the #2 spot this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for systems science & theory graduates is $21,842. Early-career systems science & theory graduates make about $55,876. That is a strong return on a $21,842 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Harvard University one of the best values for systems science & theory. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the systems science & theory program here. Systems Science & Theory graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a great value for students pursuing a degree in systems science & theory, landing the #4 spot 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, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Students borrow a median of $22,113 to complete the systems science & theory program here. Systems Science & Theory graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $65,032 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Vermont one of the best values for systems science & theory. 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 science & theory program here. Early-career systems science & theory graduates make about $44,588. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Binghamton came in at #6 for value in systems science & theory this year. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. In-state tuition and fees average $10,567, while out-of-state students pay about $30,447. Systems Science & Theory graduates carry a median of $20,691 in student loans. Early-career systems science & theory graduates make about $86,628. Set against $20,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
University At Buffalo came in at #7 for value in systems science & theory this year. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Students borrow a median of $22,232 to complete the systems science & theory program here. Systems Science & Theory graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $52,403 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
Boston University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value systems science & theory schools. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,232 to complete the systems science & theory program here. Early-career systems science & theory graduates make about $63,598. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Savannah College Of Art And Design landed the #9 spot for systems science & theory value this year. Savannah College Of Art And Design is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Savannah. In-state tuition and fees average $41,630. Typical student debt for systems science & theory graduates is $26,346. Early-career systems science & theory graduates make about $40,671. That is a strong return on a $26,346 median debt. Savannah College Of Art And Design admits about 83% of applicants.
Rhode Island School Of Design landed the #10 spot for systems science & theory value this year. Set in the city of Providence, Rhode Island School Of Design is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Students borrow a median of $26,748 to complete the systems science & theory program here. 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. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.
The New School earned the #11 position for value in systems science & theory this year. Located in the city of New York, The New School is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,730. Typical student debt for systems science & theory graduates is $24,460. Early-career systems science & theory graduates make about $97,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
School Of Visual Arts landed the #12 spot for systems science & theory value this year. Located in the city of New York, School Of Visual Arts is a mid-sized private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,400. Systems Science & Theory graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Systems Science & 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. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Other Systems Science & Theory Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Systems Science & Theory rankings across degree levels:
View All Systems Science & Theory Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 59 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
