by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Systems Engineering](/majors/engineering/systems-engineering/general-systems-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general systems engineering education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools to find the best return on investment for general systems engineering students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general systems engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
United States Merchant Marine Academy tops our 2027 list of the best value general systems engineering schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Kings Point, United States Merchant Marine Academy is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $895 in tuition and fees. General Systems Engineering graduates of United States Merchant Marine Academy earn a median of $69,847 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 34%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Florida one of the best values for general systems engineering. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. General Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $85,698. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M International University earned it the #3 place for general systems engineering. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. General Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,243 in student loans. Early-career general systems engineering graduates make about $49,755. That is a strong return on a $10,243 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned it the #4 place for general systems engineering. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for general systems engineering graduates is $17,800. Early-career general systems engineering graduates make about $81,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kennesaw State University earned it the #5 place for general systems engineering. Located in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,808, with out-of-state students paying around $17,736. General Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. General Systems Engineering graduates of Kennesaw State University earn a median of $62,015 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earned the #6 position for value in general systems engineering this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the general systems engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $68,034. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Arizona landed the #7 spot for general systems engineering value this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. General Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,250 in student loans. Early-career general systems engineering graduates make about $76,660. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
George Mason University earned the #8 position for value in general systems engineering this year. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Typical student debt for general systems engineering graduates is $21,000. Early-career general systems engineering graduates make about $84,942. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Virginia Main Campus earned the #9 position for value in general systems engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. General Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. General Systems Engineering graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $91,178 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted.
Washington University In St Louis landed the #10 spot for general systems engineering value this year. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. General Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $83,874. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants.
Maine Maritime Academy came in at #11 for value in general systems engineering this year. Set in the rural area of Castine, Maine Maritime Academy is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,158, with out-of-state students paying around $31,102. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general systems engineering program here. General Systems Engineering graduates of Maine Maritime Academy earn a median of $91,014 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.
University Of Pennsylvania earned the #12 position for value in general systems engineering this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete the general systems engineering program here. General Systems Engineering graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $99,682 early in their careers. Set against $16,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
George Washington University earned the #13 position for value in general systems engineering this year. George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,710. Typical student debt for general systems engineering graduates is $22,910. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $119,258. That is a strong return on a $22,910 median debt. The acceptance rate is 47%.
Explore the best-value general systems engineering schools at other degree levels:
This list is compiled 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.