2027 Best Value Systems Science & Theory Master’s Degree Schools
[Systems Science & Theory](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/systems-science-theory/systems-science-and-theory/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong systems science & theory education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 19 schools to find the best return on investment for systems science & theory students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Systems Science & Theory Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in systems science & theory, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Systems Science & Theory Schools
For return on investment in systems science & theory, no school beat University Of California Berkeley this year. 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, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Systems Science & Theory graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. Soon after graduation, systems science & theory degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $70,847. Set against $14,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in systems science & theory will find it at Rice University, which ranked #2. 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. Typical student debt for systems science & theory graduates is $11,904. Early-career systems science & theory graduates make about $75,299. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Stanford University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in systems science & theory, landing the #3 spot this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Typical student debt for systems science & theory graduates is $10,492. Systems Science & 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.
Students looking for strong value in systems science & theory will find it at Eastern Illinois University, which ranked #4. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Students borrow a median of $24,293 to complete the systems science & theory program here. Early-career systems science & theory graduates make about $43,603. That is a strong return on a $24,293 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Central Florida one of the best values for systems science & theory. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for systems science & theory graduates is $21,620. Soon after graduation, systems science & theory degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $51,790. Set against $21,620 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value systems science & theory schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Systems Science & Theory graduates carry a median of $21,842 in student loans. Soon after graduation, systems science & theory degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $55,876. That is a strong return on a $21,842 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Rutgers University Camden ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value systems science & theory schools. Set in the city of Camden, Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,764, compared with $37,276 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for systems science & theory graduates is $24,577. Soon after graduation, systems science & theory degree recipients from Rutgers University Camden generally make around $54,504. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #8 among the best values for systems science & theory. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Typical student debt for systems science & theory graduates is $22,113. Early-career systems science & theory graduates make about $65,032. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Harvard University earned the #9 position for value in systems science & theory this year. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. 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. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Vermont came in at #10 for value in systems science & theory this year. Set in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,058, compared with $45,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for systems science & theory graduates is $22,607. Systems Science & Theory graduates of University Of Vermont earn a median of $44,588 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Binghamton landed the #11 spot for systems science & theory value this year. Set in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. 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 science & theory. Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public school located in the city of Scottsdale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,627, with out-of-state students paying around $13,925. Students borrow a median of $22,870 to complete the systems science & theory program here. Early-career systems science & theory graduates make about $55,394. Set against $22,870 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University Skysong admits about 67% of applicants.
James Madison University landed the #13 spot for systems science & theory value this year. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Set against $22,301 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University placed #14 among the best values for systems science & theory. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Students borrow a median of $25,232 to complete the systems science & theory program here. Soon after graduation, systems science & theory degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $63,598. Set against $25,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Johnson And Wales University Providence earned the #15 position for value in systems science & theory this year. Located in the city of Providence, Johnson And Wales University Providence is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Savannah College Of Art And Design came in at #16 for value in systems science & theory this year. Set in the city of Savannah, Savannah College Of Art And Design is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $41,630. Systems Science & Theory graduates carry a median of $26,346 in student loans. Soon after graduation, systems science & theory degree recipients from Savannah College Of Art And Design generally make around $40,671. Set against $26,346 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Rhode Island School Of Design earned the #17 position for value in systems science & theory this year. 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. Soon after graduation, systems science & theory degree recipients from Rhode Island School Of Design generally make around $34,265. Set against $26,748 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.
School Of Visual Arts placed #18 among the best values for systems science & theory. 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. Typical student debt for systems science & theory graduates is $27,000. Early-career systems science & theory graduates make about $68,946. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
The New School earned the #19 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. In-state tuition and fees average $58,730. Typical student debt for systems science & theory graduates is $24,460. Early-career systems science & theory graduates make about $97,856. That is a strong return on a $24,460 median debt. Roughly 64% 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), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, 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.
