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2026 Best Value General Systems Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools

12 Colleges in the United States
$20,237 Avg Student Debt
$76,508 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value General Systems Engineering Bachelor's Degree Badge [General Systems Engineering](/majors/engineering/systems-engineering/general-systems-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. 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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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

Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for general systems engineering in the United States. 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 $85,698. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.

2

United States Merchant Marine Academy is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general systems engineering, landing the #2 spot 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. Early-career general systems engineering graduates make about $69,847. United States Merchant Marine Academy admits about 34% of applicants.

3

Texas A And M International University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general systems engineering schools. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. General Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,243 in student loans. Early-career general systems engineering graduates make about $49,755. That is a strong return on a $10,243 median debt. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned it the #4 place for general systems engineering. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $17,800 to complete the general systems engineering program here. General Systems Engineering graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $81,785 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,800 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

5

A rank of #5 makes University Of Arizona one of the best values for general systems engineering. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general systems engineering graduates is $18,250. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $76,660. That is a strong return on a $18,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

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6

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #6 among the best values for general systems engineering. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. 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. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $68,034. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

7

George Mason University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general systems engineering schools. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. General Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. General Systems Engineering graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $84,942 early in their careers. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.

8

Kennesaw State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general systems engineering schools. Kennesaw State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kennesaw. In-state tuition and fees average $5,808, with out-of-state students paying around $17,736. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the general systems engineering program here. Early-career general systems engineering graduates make about $62,015. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.

9

Washington University In St Louis landed the #9 spot for general systems engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,790 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general systems engineering graduates is $20,500. General Systems Engineering graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $83,874 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #10 spot for general systems engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the general systems engineering program here. General Systems Engineering graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $91,178 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 17%.

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11
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania earned the #11 position for value in general systems engineering this year. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. Typical student debt for general systems engineering graduates is $16,155. General Systems Engineering graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $99,682 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.

12

George Washington University earned the #12 position for value in general systems engineering this year. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,710. General Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,910 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $119,258. Set against $22,910 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 47%.

Other General Systems Engineering Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General Systems Engineering rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in General Systems Engineering
Associate's Degrees in General Systems Engineering
Master's Degrees in General Systems Engineering
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View All General Systems Engineering Rankings >

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 119 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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