2026 Best Value Systems Engineering Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in systems engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Systems Engineering Schools
University Of Florida tops our 2026 list of the best value systems engineering schools in the United States. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,250 to complete the systems engineering program here. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $107,972. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California San Diego is a great value for students pursuing a degree in systems engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for systems engineering graduates is $17,101. Early-career systems engineering graduates make about $60,797. Set against $17,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
California State University Dominguez Hills is a great value for students pursuing a degree in systems engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for systems engineering graduates is $15,886. Systems Engineering graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value systems engineering schools. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Typical student debt for systems engineering graduates is $24,323. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $118,944. That is a strong return on a $24,323 median debt. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Michigan Dearborn one of the best values for systems engineering. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,516 to complete the systems engineering program here. Systems Engineering graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $62,536 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Florida State University earned the #6 position for value in systems engineering this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,488 in student loans. Systems Engineering graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $51,884 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of Houston landed the #7 spot for systems engineering value this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Typical student debt for systems engineering graduates is $21,255. Systems Engineering graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $57,529 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #8 for value in systems engineering this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for systems engineering graduates is $19,137. Systems Engineering graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $122,914 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Missouri University Of Science And Technology came in at #9 for value in systems engineering this year. Located in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,984, with out-of-state students paying around $33,248. Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,187 in student loans. Systems Engineering graduates of Missouri University Of Science And Technology earn a median of $111,229 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,187 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #10 position for value in systems engineering this year. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Typical student debt for systems engineering graduates is $19,819. Early-career systems engineering graduates make about $93,203. That is a strong return on a $19,819 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Johns Hopkins University came in at #11 for value in systems engineering this year. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Systems Engineering graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $135,107 early in their careers. Set against $13,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #12 among the best values for systems engineering. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Typical student debt for systems engineering graduates is $21,813. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
University Of Arizona came in at #13 for value in systems engineering this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,250 to complete the systems engineering program here. Systems Engineering graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $76,660 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,250 median debt. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Dallas ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value systems engineering schools. Set in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,644, compared with $40,144 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for systems engineering graduates is $20,531. Systems Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At Dallas earn a median of $109,325 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,531 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology landed the #15 spot for systems engineering value this year. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,396. Typical student debt for systems engineering graduates is $13,516. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology generally make around $151,271. Set against $13,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology admits about 4% of applicants.
George Mason University came in at #16 for value in systems engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for systems engineering graduates is $21,000. Early-career systems engineering graduates make about $117,239. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide came in at #17 for value in systems engineering this year. Located in the city of Daytona Beach, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,097. Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,787 in student loans. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide generally make around $115,154. That is a strong return on a $20,787 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Kennesaw State University earned the #18 position for value in systems engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,808 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,736. Typical student debt for systems engineering graduates is $31,000. Early-career systems engineering graduates make about $62,015. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus landed the #19 spot for systems engineering value this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,356 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Texas Tech University earned the #20 position for value in systems engineering this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Typical student debt for systems engineering graduates is $24,271. Early-career systems engineering graduates make about $50,332. That is a strong return on a $24,271 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Colorado State University Fort Collins earned the #21 position for value in systems engineering this year. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,373 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Students borrow a median of $22,843 to complete the systems engineering program here. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from Colorado State University Fort Collins generally make around $51,693. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Ecpi University came in at #22 for value in systems engineering this year. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Ecpi University is a large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $18,484 in tuition and fees. Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,988 in student loans. Early-career systems engineering graduates make about $48,429. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ecpi University admits about 74% of applicants.
Washington University In St Louis placed #23 among the best values for systems engineering. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,790. Typical student debt for systems engineering graduates is $20,500. Systems Engineering graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $83,874 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 12%.
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #24 spot for systems engineering value this year. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Students from in state pay about $23,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Typical student debt for systems engineering graduates is $19,500. Systems Engineering graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $115,773 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 17%.
Boston University landed the #25 spot for systems engineering value this year. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Typical student debt for systems engineering graduates is $25,232. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $63,598. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 39 Best Value Systems Engineering Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for systems engineering this year:
Other Systems Engineering Degree Levels
Explore the best-value systems engineering schools at other degree levels:
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 119 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 38 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.
[Systems Engineering](/majors/engineering/systems-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
