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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus tops our 2026 list of the best value general systems engineering schools in Pennsylvania. 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. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Pennsylvania is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general systems engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete the general systems engineering program here. General Systems Engineering graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $99,682 early in their careers. Set against $16,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.
Drexel University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general systems engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Drexel University 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 $62,412. Students borrow a median of $28,838 to complete the general systems engineering program here. Early-career general systems engineering graduates make about $67,556. That is a strong return on a $28,838 median debt. Drexel University admits about 79% of applicants.
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The ranking above is published 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.