2026 Best Value General Systems Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

University Of Michigan Dearborn
Dearborn, MI

For return on investment in general systems engineering, no school beat University Of Michigan Dearborn 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, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. Typical student debt for general systems engineering graduates is $26,516. 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. The acceptance rate is 56%.

2

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

A rank of #2 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the best values for general systems engineering. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. General Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans. 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.

3

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #3 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. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. General Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,800 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $81,785. That is a strong return on a $17,800 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

4

University Of Detroit Mercy
Detroit, MI

Students looking for strong value in general systems engineering will find it at University Of Detroit Mercy, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,946. Typical student debt for general systems engineering graduates is $29,053. 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%.

5

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

Students looking for strong value in general systems engineering will find it at University Of Wisconsin Madison, which ranked #5. 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. Typical student debt for general systems engineering graduates is $21,813. Early-career general systems engineering graduates make about $59,877. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.

6

University Of Dayton
Dayton, OH

University Of Dayton ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general systems engineering schools. Located in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,140. Students borrow a median of $25,033 to complete the general systems engineering program here. General Systems Engineering graduates of University Of Dayton earn a median of $56,077 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.