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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general systems engineering students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general systems engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
United States Merchant Marine Academy tops our 2027 list of the best value general systems engineering schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the suburb of Kings Point, United States Merchant Marine Academy is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $895. Early-career general systems engineering graduates make about $69,847. United States Merchant Marine Academy admits about 34% of applicants.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general systems engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. In-state tuition and fees average $13,256, with out-of-state students paying around $31,225. Students borrow a median of $21,331 to complete the general systems engineering program here. General Systems Engineering graduates of University Of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of $49,179 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Johns Hopkins University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general systems engineering schools. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete the general systems engineering program here. General Systems Engineering graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $135,107 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology one of the best values for general systems engineering. Set in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $24,400. General Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $28,375 in student loans. Early-career general systems engineering graduates make about $35,098. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general systems engineering schools. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,356 in tuition and fees. General Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,062 in student loans. Early-career general systems engineering graduates make about $124,293. Set against $26,062 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland University College came in at #6 for value in general systems engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,136, compared with $12,336 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general systems engineering graduates is $23,276. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Maryland University College generally make around $115,680. Set against $23,276 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cornell University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general systems engineering schools. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $69,314. General Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,005 in student loans. General Systems Engineering graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $117,455 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,005 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #8 for value in general systems engineering this year. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Typical student debt for general systems engineering graduates is $16,155. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $99,682. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute placed #9 among the best values for general systems engineering. Located in the city of Troy, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $64,078 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general systems engineering graduates is $24,975. General Systems Engineering graduates of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of $77,378 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
George Washington University placed #10 among the best values for general systems engineering. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,710. Students borrow a median of $22,910 to complete the general systems engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $119,258. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. George Washington University admits about 47% of applicants.
Stevens Institute Of Technology ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general systems engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Hoboken, Stevens Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $63,462 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general systems engineering graduates is $26,767. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from Stevens Institute Of Technology generally make around $110,877. That is a strong return on a $26,767 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.
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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.