by our College Data Analytics Team
[Systems Engineering](/majors/engineering/systems-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong systems engineering education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value systems engineering schools.
What’s on this page:
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 Massachusetts Institute Of Technology this year. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. In-state tuition and fees average $62,396. Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,516 in student loans. Early-career systems engineering graduates make about $151,271. That is a strong return on a $13,516 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Maine Maritime Academy came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value systems engineering schools. Set in the rural area of Castine, Maine Maritime Academy is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,158, with out-of-state students paying around $31,102. Typical student debt for systems engineering graduates is $27,000. Early-career systems engineering graduates make about $91,014. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
A rank of #3 makes Boston University one of the best values for systems engineering. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. Students borrow a median of $25,232 to complete the systems engineering program here. Systems Engineering graduates of Boston University earn a median of $63,598 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Northeastern University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in systems engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,162. Students borrow a median of $25,611 to complete the systems engineering program here. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from Northeastern University generally make around $88,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a great value for students pursuing a degree in systems engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Worcester, Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $60,765. Students borrow a median of $26,259 to complete the systems engineering program here. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from Worcester Polytechnic Institute generally make around $127,141. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Worcester Polytechnic Institute admits about 60% of applicants.
The ranking above is published 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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.