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2026 Best Value Systems Science & Theory Schools in Massachusetts

[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for systems science & theory students.

What’s on this page:

• Best Value Systems Science & Theory Schools in Massachusetts

2026 Best Value Systems Science & Theory Schools in Massachusetts

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

1

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

$61,676 In-State Tuition & Fees

$16,616 Avg Student Debt

$101,817 Median Earnings (10yr)

For return on investment in systems science & theory, no school beat Harvard University this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the systems science & theory program here. Early-career systems science & theory graduates make about $95,207. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

2

Boston University
Boston, MA

$68,102 In-State Tuition & Fees

$25,232 Avg Student Debt

$83,238 Median Earnings (10yr)

A rank of #2 makes Boston University one of the best values for systems science & theory. 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. Systems Science & Theory graduates carry a median of $25,232 in student loans. Soon after graduation, systems science & theory degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $63,598. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.

View All Systems Science & Theory Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 4 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.