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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value General Systems Engineering Schools

45 Colleges in the United States
$21,988 Avg Student Debt
$77,135 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value General Systems Engineering Badge [General Systems Engineering](/majors/engineering/systems-engineering/general-systems-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

College Factual analyzed 119 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general systems engineering schools.

What’s on this page:

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Finding the Best Value General Systems Engineering School for You

The general systems engineering program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value General Systems Engineering Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.

Learn more about our methodology

Customizing Your List

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value General Systems Engineering Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.

Associate's Degrees in General Systems Engineering
Bachelor's Degrees in General Systems Engineering
Master's Degrees in General Systems Engineering
Doctorate Degrees in General Systems Engineering

Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.

Read more about College Factual’s methodology

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2026 Best Value General Systems Engineering Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general systems engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value General Systems Engineering Schools

1
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

For return on investment in general systems engineering, no school beat University Of Florida this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general systems engineering graduates is $19,250. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $96,835. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.

2

Students looking for strong value in general systems engineering will find it at United States Merchant Marine Academy, which ranked #2. United States Merchant Marine Academy is a small public school located in the suburb of Kings Point. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $895. General Systems Engineering graduates of United States Merchant Marine Academy earn a median of $69,847 early in their careers. Roughly 34% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of California San Diego is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general systems engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,101 to complete the general systems engineering program here. General Systems Engineering graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $60,797 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,101 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.

4

California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general systems engineering schools. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Typical student debt for general systems engineering graduates is $15,886. Early-career general systems engineering graduates make about $52,683. Set against $15,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.

5

A rank of #5 makes Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus one of the best values for general systems engineering. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete the general systems engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $118,944. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.

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6
University Of Utah crest
University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah earned the #6 position for value in general systems engineering this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. General Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,798 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $60,527. That is a strong return on a $20,798 median debt. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.

7

University Of Michigan Dearborn earned the #7 position for value in general systems engineering this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. General Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,516 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Michigan Dearborn generally make around $62,536. Set against $26,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.

8
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University placed #8 among the best values for general systems engineering. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. General Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,488 in student loans. General Systems Engineering graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $51,884 early in their careers. Set against $20,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.

9

Texas A And M International University earned the #9 position for value in general systems engineering this year. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. General Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,243 in student loans. Early-career general systems engineering graduates make about $49,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.

10

Missouri University Of Science And Technology came in at #10 for value in general systems engineering this year. Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rolla. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,984, compared with $33,248 for out-of-state students. General Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,187 in student loans. Early-career general systems engineering graduates make about $111,229. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri University Of Science And Technology admits about 72% of applicants.

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11

University Of Houston landed the #11 spot for general systems engineering value this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,255 to complete the general systems engineering program here. Early-career general systems engineering graduates make about $57,529. That is a strong return on a $21,255 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.

12

Wichita State University landed the #12 spot for general systems engineering value this year. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,262 to complete the general systems engineering program here. Early-career general systems engineering graduates make about $49,278. That is a strong return on a $24,262 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.

13

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #13 for value in general systems engineering this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete the general systems engineering program here. General Systems Engineering graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $122,914 early in their careers. Set against $19,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of Louisiana Lafayette ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general systems engineering schools. Located in the city of Lafayette, University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,418 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,146. Students borrow a median of $24,373 to complete the general systems engineering program here. General Systems Engineering graduates of University Of Louisiana Lafayette earn a median of $42,873 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,373 median debt. University Of Louisiana Lafayette admits about 87% of applicants.

15

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general systems engineering schools. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for general systems engineering graduates is $17,800. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $81,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

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16

The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general systems engineering schools. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general systems engineering graduates is $19,819. General 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%.

17

University Of Detroit Mercy landed the #17 spot for general systems engineering value this year. Located in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,946. General Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $29,053 in student loans. General Systems Engineering graduates of University Of Detroit Mercy earn a median of $76,755 early in their careers. Set against $29,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.

18

Johns Hopkins University landed the #18 spot for general systems engineering value this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Typical student debt for general systems engineering graduates is $13,426. Early-career general systems engineering graduates make about $135,107. Set against $13,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #19 among the best values for general systems engineering. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the general systems engineering program here. General Systems Engineering graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $68,034 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.

20

University Of Arizona ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general systems engineering schools. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,250 to complete the general systems engineering program here. Early-career general systems engineering graduates make about $76,660. That is a strong return on a $18,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

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21

University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #21 position for value in general systems engineering this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the general systems engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.

22

The University Of Texas At Dallas placed #22 among the best values for general systems engineering. Located in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,644, while out-of-state students pay about $40,144. General Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,531 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general 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. The acceptance rate is 65%.

23

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology placed #23 among the best values for general systems engineering. Located in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,396. General Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,516 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general 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. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

24

George Mason University earned the #24 position for value in general systems engineering this year. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the general systems engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $101,091. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

25

Kennesaw State University landed the #25 spot for general systems engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,808, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general systems engineering graduates is $31,000. General Systems Engineering graduates of Kennesaw State University earn a median of $62,015 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.

Rest of the Top 48 Best Value General Systems Engineering Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general systems engineering:

26
27
28
29
30
Ecpi University crest
Ecpi University
Virginia Beach, VA
31
32
33
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA
34
35
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA
45
46
47
48

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General Systems Engineering is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.

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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 · 119 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 45 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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