2027 Best Value Systems Science & Theory Schools in the New England Region
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 5 schools to find the best return on investment for systems science & theory students.
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2027 Best Value Systems Science & Theory Schools in the New England Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in systems science & theory, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Systems Science & Theory Schools
Leading the list is Harvard University, our #1 best value for systems science & theory in the New England Region. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the systems science & theory program here. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Vermont earned it the #2 place 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, with out-of-state students paying around $45,502. Typical student debt for systems science & theory graduates is $22,607. Early-career systems science & theory graduates make about $44,588. Set against $22,607 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Boston University earned it the #3 place for systems science & theory. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. 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. That is a strong return on a $25,232 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Johnson And Wales University Providence is a great value for students pursuing a degree in systems science & theory, landing the #4 spot this year. Johnson And Wales University Providence is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. Students from in state pay about $41,982 in tuition and fees. 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. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Rhode Island School Of Design is a great value for students pursuing a degree in systems science & theory, landing the #5 spot this year. Rhode Island School Of Design is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. 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. Systems Science & Theory graduates of Rhode Island School Of Design earn a median of $34,265 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rhode Island School Of Design admits about 19% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
