2026 Best Value Systems Engineering Schools

1

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among systems engineering schools in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $19,250 to complete the systems engineering program here. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $96,835. That is a strong return on a $19,250 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.

2

United States Merchant Marine Academy
Kings Point, NY

United States Merchant Marine Academy came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value systems engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Kings Point, United States Merchant Marine Academy is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $895. Systems Engineering graduates of United States Merchant Marine Academy earn a median of $69,847 early in their careers. Roughly 34% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

Students looking for strong value in systems engineering will find it at University Of California San Diego, which ranked #3. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,101 in student loans. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $60,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.

4

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

Students looking for strong value in systems engineering will find it at California State University Dominguez Hills, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Typical student debt for systems engineering graduates is $15,886. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $52,683. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

5

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in systems engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $118,944. Set against $24,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 14%.

6

University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah came in at #6 for value in systems engineering this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete the systems engineering program here. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $60,527. That is a strong return on a $20,798 median debt. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.

7

University Of Michigan Dearborn
Dearborn, MI

University Of Michigan Dearborn earned the #7 position for value in systems engineering 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 systems engineering graduates is $26,516. 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. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.

8

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University placed #8 among the best values for systems engineering. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,488 in student loans. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $51,884. That is a strong return on a $20,488 median debt. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.

9

Texas A And M International University
Laredo, TX

Texas A And M International University came in at #9 for value in systems engineering this year. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Students borrow a median of $10,243 to complete the systems engineering program here. Early-career systems engineering graduates make about $49,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.

10

Missouri University Of Science And Technology
Rolla, MO

Missouri University Of Science And Technology came in at #10 for value in systems engineering this year. Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rolla. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,984, while out-of-state students pay about $33,248. Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,187 in student loans. Systems Engineering graduates of Missouri University Of Science And Technology earn a median of $111,229 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.

11

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

University Of Houston landed the #11 spot for systems engineering value this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,255 in student loans. Soon after graduation, 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. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.

12

Wichita State University
Wichita, KS

Wichita State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value systems engineering schools. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,262 to complete the systems engineering program here. Early-career systems engineering graduates make about $49,278. Set against $24,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.

13

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #13 position for value in systems engineering this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete the systems engineering program here. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $122,914. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of Louisiana Lafayette
Lafayette, LA

University Of Louisiana Lafayette earned the #14 position for value in systems engineering this year. Located in the city of Lafayette, University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,418 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,146. Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,373 in student loans. Systems Engineering graduates of University Of Louisiana Lafayette earn a median of $42,873 early in their careers. Set against $24,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Louisiana Lafayette admits about 87% of applicants.

15

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value systems engineering schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical student debt for systems engineering graduates is $17,800. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $81,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

16

The University Of Texas At El Paso
El Paso, TX

The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #16 for value in systems engineering this year. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete the systems engineering program here. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $93,203. That is a strong return on a $19,819 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.

17

University Of Detroit Mercy
Detroit, MI

University Of Detroit Mercy landed the #17 spot for systems engineering value this year. Located in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $32,946 in tuition and fees. Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $29,053 in student loans. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Detroit Mercy generally make around $76,755. Set against $29,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.

18

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value systems engineering schools. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Typical student debt for systems engineering graduates is $13,426. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $135,107. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.

19

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
Charlotte, NC

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #19 for value in systems engineering this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Typical student debt for systems engineering graduates is $26,000. Systems Engineering graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $68,034 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.

20

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value systems engineering schools. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for systems engineering graduates is $18,250. Systems Engineering graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $76,660 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,250 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

21

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #21 spot for systems engineering value this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. Soon after graduation, 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. The acceptance rate is 45%.

22

The University Of Texas At Dallas
Richardson, TX

The University Of Texas At Dallas ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value systems engineering schools. Located in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,644, with out-of-state students paying around $40,144. Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,531 in student loans. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Dallas generally make around $109,325. Set against $20,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Dallas admits about 65% of applicants.

23

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
Cambridge, MA

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology placed #23 among the best values for systems engineering. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Students from in state pay about $62,396 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,516 to complete the systems engineering program here. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology generally make around $151,271. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

24

George Mason University
Fairfax, VA

George Mason University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value systems engineering schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Systems Engineering graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $101,091 early in their careers. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

25

Kennesaw State University
Kennesaw, GA

Kennesaw State University came in at #25 for value in systems engineering this year. Kennesaw State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kennesaw. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,808, with out-of-state students paying around $17,736. Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Systems Engineering graduates of Kennesaw State University earn a median of $62,015 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Kennesaw State University admits about 69% of applicants.