2026 Best Value Systems Engineering Schools in Texas
[Systems Engineering](/majors/engineering/systems-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for systems engineering students.
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2026 Best Value Systems Engineering Schools in Texas
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the systems engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Systems Engineering Schools
Texas A And M International University earned the #1 spot for value among systems engineering schools in Texas. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,243 in student loans. Early-career systems engineering graduates make about $49,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Houston earned it the #2 place for systems engineering. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,255 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Students looking for strong value in systems engineering will find it at The University Of Texas At El Paso, which ranked #3. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Typical student debt for systems engineering graduates is $19,819. Systems Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $93,203 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Students looking for strong value in systems engineering will find it at The University Of Texas At Dallas, which ranked #4. The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public school located in the city of Richardson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,644, while out-of-state students pay about $40,144. Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,531 in student loans. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Dallas generally make around $109,325. Set against $20,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas Tech University earned it the #5 place for systems engineering. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for systems engineering graduates is $24,271. Systems Engineering graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $50,332 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Methodist University landed the #6 spot for systems engineering value this year. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,040. Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,712 in student loans. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from Southern Methodist University generally make around $115,443. That is a strong return on a $20,712 median debt. Southern Methodist University admits about 63% of applicants.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
