General Systems Engineering is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their general systems engineering programs.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 119 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general systems engineering students pursuing a degree.
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Choosing a Great General Systems Engineering School
The general systems engineering program you select can have a big impact on your future. To help, we created our Best General Systems Engineering Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
General Systems Engineering Rankings by Degree Level
We offer several rankings, including this Best General Systems Engineering Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
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Best Schools for General Systems Engineering in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the general systems engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Johns Hopkins University tops our 2026 ranking of the best general systems engineering schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Baltimore. About 94% of students finish within six years. Johns Hopkins University awarded about 241 general systems engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general systems engineering program make about $135,107 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,426.
Get the full general systems engineering details for Johns Hopkins University
Students looking for a strong general systems engineering program will find one at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor awarded about 109 general systems engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $122,914. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete this degree.
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Colorado School Of Mines is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general systems engineering, ranking #3. Located in the suburb of Golden, Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public university. Colorado School Of Mines graduates 82% of students within six years. Colorado School Of Mines awarded about 77 general systems engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general systems engineering program make about $76,298 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,521.
More information about a degree in general systems engineering from Colorado School Of Mines
A rank of #4 makes University Of Southern California one of the top schools for general systems engineering. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 24 general systems engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general systems engineering program make about $118,363 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete this degree.
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Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general systems engineering, ranking #5. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus graduates 94% of students within six years. There were roughly 40 general systems engineering students who graduated with this degree at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general systems engineering program make about $118,944 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,323.
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Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earned the #6 position for general systems engineering this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 204 general systems engineering degrees were awarded at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. General Systems Engineering graduates of Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earn a median of $151,271 early in their careers. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $13,516 in student loans.
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University Of Dayton placed #7 among the best general systems engineering schools. University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dayton. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 general systems engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Dayton in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general systems engineering program make about $56,077 in their early career. University Of Dayton graduates carry a median of $25,033 in student loans.
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University Of California San Diego came in at #8 for general systems engineering this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California San Diego awarded about 31 general systems engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $60,797. Students borrow a median of $17,101 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general systems engineering from University Of California San Diego
United States Merchant Marine Academy landed the #9 spot for general systems engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Kings Point, United States Merchant Marine Academy is a small public university. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. There were roughly 36 general systems engineering students who graduated with this degree at United States Merchant Marine Academy in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from United States Merchant Marine Academy generally make around $69,847.
More information about a degree in general systems engineering from United States Merchant Marine Academy
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best general systems engineering schools. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 88 general systems engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. General Systems Engineering graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $99,682 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,155.
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University Of Florida landed the #11 spot for general systems engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Gainesville. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 499 general systems engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Florida in the most recent data year. General Systems Engineering graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $96,835 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,250 to complete this degree.
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University Of Denver landed the #12 spot for general systems engineering this year. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 72 general systems engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Denver in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general systems engineering degree from University Of Denver earn around $56,999 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,534.
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University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #13 for general systems engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 65 general systems engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general systems engineering degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $81,785 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,800.
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University Of Detroit Mercy placed #14 among the best general systems engineering schools. Set in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 19 general systems engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Detroit Mercy in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Detroit Mercy generally make around $76,755. Students borrow a median of $29,053 to complete this degree.
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Washington University In St Louis ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best general systems engineering schools. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. About 38 general systems engineering degrees were awarded at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent year. Students who receive their general systems engineering degree from Washington University In St Louis earn around $83,874 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
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University Of Utah earned the #16 position for general systems engineering this year. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. University Of Utah graduates 65% of students within six years. About 17 general systems engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Utah in the most recent year. General Systems Engineering graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $60,527 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete this degree.
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Cornell University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best general systems engineering schools. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 129 general systems engineering degrees were awarded at Cornell University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $117,455. Students borrow a median of $15,005 to complete this degree.
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University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #18 spot for general systems engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Charlottesville. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 117 general systems engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $103,476. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
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University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #19 among the best general systems engineering schools. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 16 general systems engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete this degree.
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Loyola Marymount University landed the #20 spot for general systems engineering this year. Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. About 79% of students finish within six years. About 12 general systems engineering degrees were awarded at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from Loyola Marymount University generally make around $52,935. Loyola Marymount University graduates carry a median of $22,248 in student loans.
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Stevens Institute Of Technology landed the #21 spot for general systems engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Hoboken, Stevens Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 87% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 271 general systems engineering students who graduated with this degree at Stevens Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. General Systems Engineering graduates of Stevens Institute Of Technology earn a median of $110,877 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,767.
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George Washington University landed the #22 spot for general systems engineering this year. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 96 general systems engineering degrees were awarded at George Washington University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general systems engineering degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $119,258. George Washington University graduates carry a median of $22,910 in student loans.
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Boston University earned the #23 position for general systems engineering this year. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. About 89% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 23 general systems engineering students who graduated with this degree at Boston University in the most recent data year. General Systems Engineering graduates of Boston University earn a median of $63,598 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,232.
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University Of Houston landed the #24 spot for general systems engineering this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. University Of Houston graduates 65% of students within six years. About 56 general systems engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Houston in the most recent year. Students who receive their general systems engineering degree from University Of Houston earn around $57,529 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Houston graduates carry a median of $21,255 in student loans.
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Worcester Polytechnic Institute earned the #25 position for general systems engineering this year. Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Worcester. About 90% of students finish within six years. About 48 general systems engineering degrees were awarded at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in the most recent year. General Systems Engineering graduates of Worcester Polytechnic Institute earn a median of $127,141 early in their careers. Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduates carry a median of $26,259 in student loans.
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Rest of the Top 48 General Systems Engineering Schools
These schools also placed among the best for general systems engineering this year:
General Systems Engineering Related Rankings by Major
Explore other rankings in majors related to General Systems Engineering. See all related rankings.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 119 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
