by our College Data Analytics Team
[Systems Engineering](/majors/engineering/systems-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. 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 systems engineering students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in systems engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in systems engineering, no school beat United States Merchant Marine Academy this year. Located in the suburb of Kings Point, United States Merchant Marine Academy is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $895. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from United States Merchant Marine Academy generally make around $69,847. United States Merchant Marine Academy admits about 34% of applicants.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value systems engineering schools. University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. Students from in state pay about $13,256 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,225. Students borrow a median of $21,331 to complete the systems engineering program here. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Maryland Baltimore County generally make around $49,179. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Johns Hopkins University earned it the #3 place for systems engineering. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $135,107. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in systems engineering will find it at Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $24,400. Students borrow a median of $28,375 to complete the systems engineering program here. Early-career systems engineering graduates make about $35,098. Set against $28,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pennsylvania State University World Campus earned it the #5 place for systems engineering. 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. Students borrow a median of $26,062 to complete the systems engineering program here. Systems Engineering graduates of Pennsylvania State University World Campus earn a median of $124,293 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Maryland University College landed the #6 spot for systems engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,136, with out-of-state students paying around $12,336. Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,276 in student loans. Soon after graduation, 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 systems engineering schools. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,314. Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,005 in student loans. Early-career systems engineering graduates make about $117,455. Set against $15,005 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of Pennsylvania placed #8 among the best values for systems engineering. 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. Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Early-career systems engineering graduates make about $99,682. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute came in at #9 for value in systems engineering this year. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Troy. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,078. Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,975 in student loans. Early-career systems engineering graduates make about $77,378. Set against $24,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
George Washington University came in at #10 for value in systems engineering this year. 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. Typical student debt for systems engineering graduates is $22,910. Early-career systems engineering graduates make about $119,258. Set against $22,910 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 47%.
Stevens Institute Of Technology ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value systems engineering schools. Stevens Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hoboken. In-state tuition and fees average $63,462. Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,767 in student loans. Systems Engineering graduates of Stevens Institute Of Technology earn a median of $110,877 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
This ranking is produced 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.