by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in General Systems Engineering covers Systems Engineering. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Mathematical And Scientific Principles To The Design, Development And Operational Evaluation Of Total Systems Solutions To A Wide Variety Of Engineering Problems, Including The Integration Of Human, Physical, Energy, Communications, Management, And Information Requirements As Needed, And The Application Of Requisite Analytical Methods To Specific Situations. Examples: [Industrial/manufacturing Systems Engineering], [Decision Engineering], [Dynamical Systems], [Product Development Engineering], [Logistics Engineering], [Systems Engineering Management], [Capability-Based Systems], [Optimization], [Modeling And Simulation]. Read on to learn the key facts every general systems engineering major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering general systems engineering programs.
In the U.S., general systems engineering is a popular field of study, with 3,956 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best General Systems Engineering Schools ranking analyzes these 98 schools to determine the best overall colleges for general systems engineering students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of general systems engineering programs later in this article.
Studies in General Systems Engineering develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations general systems engineering graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a general systems engineering program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a general systems engineering major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several general systems engineering degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 605 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 2,939 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 148 |
People currently working in careers related to general systems engineering tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 40.1% |
| Doctoral degree | 22.1% |
| Master’s degree | 14.1% |
| Post-doctoral training | 5.8% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 5.4% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.7% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.7% |
| Some college courses | 2.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.9% |
| First professional degree | 1.1% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.9% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.2% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in general systems engineering careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in general systems engineering prepares you for a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to general systems engineering.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to general systems engineering.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,297,204 | -2.0% |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | 440,884 | 8.0% |
| Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists | 395,031 | 12.1% |
| Nanosystems Engineers | 358,781 | -2.9% |
| Wind Energy Engineers | 353,305 | 12.7% |
| Database Architects | 335,771 | 4.3% |
| Validation Engineers | 298,574 | 4.8% |
| Engineers, All Other | 292,948 | -4.3% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of general systems engineering graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $106,540 |
| 4 years | $121,140 |
| 5 years | $136,733 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for general systems engineering graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers general systems engineering grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Database Architects | $148,480 |
| Engineers, All Other | $136,628 |
| Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists | $128,495 |
| Industrial Engineers | $120,863 |
| Data Warehousing Specialists | $117,424 |
| Solar Energy Systems Engineers | $116,775 |
| Mechatronics Engineers | $115,569 |
| Microsystems Engineers | $104,558 |
With 98 different general systems engineering programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased general systems engineering school rankings to help you.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
