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2026 Best Value General Systems Engineering Master’s Degree Schools

38 Colleges in the United States
$21,945 Avg Student Debt
$79,815 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value General Systems Engineering Master's Degree Badge [General Systems Engineering](/majors/engineering/systems-engineering/general-systems-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 119 schools to find the best return on investment for general systems engineering students.

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

Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in general systems engineering in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,250 to complete the general systems engineering program here. General Systems Engineering graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $107,972 early in their careers. Set against $19,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of California San Diego one of the best values for general systems engineering. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. General Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,101 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $60,797. Set against $17,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.

3

California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general systems engineering schools. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. General Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,886 in student loans. General Systems Engineering graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned it the #4 place for general systems engineering. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Typical student debt for general systems engineering graduates is $24,323. General Systems Engineering graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $118,944 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.

5

University Of Michigan Dearborn is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general systems engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,640, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. Students borrow a median of $26,516 to complete the general systems engineering program here. General Systems Engineering graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $62,536 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,516 median debt. The acceptance rate is 56%.

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Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University landed the #6 spot for general systems engineering value this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,488 to complete the general systems engineering program here. Early-career general systems engineering graduates make about $51,884. Set against $20,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.

7

University Of Houston ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general systems engineering schools. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. General Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,255 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $57,529. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general systems engineering schools. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for general systems engineering graduates is $19,137. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $122,914. That is a strong return on a $19,137 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

9

Missouri University Of Science And Technology earned the #9 position for value in general systems engineering this year. Set in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,984, compared with $33,248 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general systems engineering graduates is $25,187. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from Missouri University Of Science And Technology generally make around $111,229. That is a strong return on a $25,187 median debt. Missouri University Of Science And Technology admits about 72% of applicants.

10

The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #10 spot for general systems engineering value this year. 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. General Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. General Systems Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $93,203 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,819 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.

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Johns Hopkins University came in at #11 for value in general systems engineering this year. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Typical student debt for general systems engineering graduates is $13,426. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $135,107. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #12 among the best values for general systems engineering. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of Arizona earned the #13 position for value in general systems engineering this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. General Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,250 in student loans. General Systems Engineering graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $76,660 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.

14

The University Of Texas At Dallas earned the #14 position for value in general systems engineering this year. Set in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,644, compared with $40,144 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,531 to complete the general systems engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Dallas generally make around $109,325. That is a strong return on a $20,531 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.

15

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology landed the #15 spot for general systems engineering value this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,396. Typical student debt for general systems engineering graduates is $13,516. Early-career general systems engineering graduates make about $151,271. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology admits about 4% of applicants.

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George Mason University earned the #16 position for value in general systems engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. General Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $117,239. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

17

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide earned the #17 position for value in general systems engineering this year. Located in the city of Daytona Beach, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,097. Students borrow a median of $20,787 to complete the general systems engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide generally make around $115,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

18

Kennesaw State University came in at #18 for value in general systems engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,808, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Typical student debt for general systems engineering graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from Kennesaw State University generally make around $62,015. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.

19

Pennsylvania State University World Campus came in at #19 for value in general systems engineering this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,356 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.

20

Texas Tech University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general systems engineering schools. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. General Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans. General Systems Engineering graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $50,332 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,271 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.

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Colorado State University Fort Collins came in at #21 for value in general systems engineering this year. Set in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. Students borrow a median of $22,843 to complete the general systems engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from Colorado State University Fort Collins generally make around $51,693. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

22
Ecpi University crest
Ecpi University
Virginia Beach, VA

Ecpi University placed #22 among the best values for general systems engineering. Ecpi University is a large private for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,484. Typical student debt for general systems engineering graduates is $27,988. Early-career general systems engineering graduates make about $48,429. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ecpi University admits about 74% of applicants.

23

Washington University In St Louis placed #23 among the best values for general systems engineering. 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. General Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career general systems engineering graduates make about $83,874. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.

24

University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #24 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Typical student debt for general systems engineering graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $115,773. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Virginia Main Campus admits about 17% of applicants.

25
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University landed the #25 spot for general systems engineering value this year. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. General Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,232 in student loans. Early-career general systems engineering graduates make about $63,598. Set against $25,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.

Rest of the Top 39 Best Value General Systems Engineering Schools

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

26
27
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA
36
37
38
39

Other General Systems Engineering Degree Levels

Explore the best-value general systems engineering schools at other degree levels:

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

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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 38 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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