by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 25 schools to find the best return on investment for general systems engineering students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general systems engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
United States Merchant Marine Academy tops our 2026 list of the best value general systems engineering schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the suburb of Kings Point, United States Merchant Marine Academy is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $895. Early-career general systems engineering graduates make about $69,847. Roughly 34% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Johns Hopkins University one of the best values for general systems engineering. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Pennsylvania State University World Campus one of the best values for general systems engineering. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,356. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general systems engineering schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Typical student debt for general systems engineering graduates is $16,155. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $99,682. Set against $16,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Cornell University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general systems engineering schools. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $69,314. Students borrow a median of $15,005 to complete the general systems engineering program here. General Systems Engineering graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $117,455 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cornell University admits about 9% of applicants.
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Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earned the #6 position for value in general systems engineering this year. Located in the city of Troy, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $64,078 in tuition and fees. General Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,975 in student loans. General Systems Engineering graduates of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of $77,378 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,975 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
George Washington University landed the #7 spot for general systems engineering value this year. George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. In-state tuition and fees average $67,710. Typical student debt for general systems engineering graduates is $22,910. 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. George Washington University admits about 47% of applicants.
Drexel University placed #8 among the best values for general systems engineering. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $62,412 in tuition and fees. General Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $28,838 in student loans. Early-career general systems engineering graduates make about $67,556. That is a strong return on a $28,838 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Stevens Institute Of Technology ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general systems engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Hoboken, Stevens Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $63,462. General Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,767 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from Stevens Institute Of Technology generally make around $110,877. Set against $26,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.
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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.