2026 Best Value Systems Engineering Master’s Degree Schools

1

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida tops our 2026 list of the best value systems engineering schools in the United States. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. 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 $107,972. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego is a great value for students pursuing a degree in systems engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for systems engineering graduates is $17,101. Early-career systems engineering graduates make about $60,797. Set against $17,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.

3

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

California State University Dominguez Hills is a great value for students pursuing a degree in systems engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for systems engineering graduates is $15,886. Systems Engineering graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.

4

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value systems engineering schools. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. 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 systems engineering graduates is $24,323. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $118,944. That is a strong return on a $24,323 median debt. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.

5

University Of Michigan Dearborn
Dearborn, MI

A rank of #5 makes University Of Michigan Dearborn one of the best values for systems engineering. 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, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,516 to complete the systems engineering program here. Systems Engineering graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $62,536 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.

6

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University earned the #6 position for value in systems engineering this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,488 in student loans. Systems Engineering graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $51,884 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.

7

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

University Of Houston landed the #7 spot for systems engineering value this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Typical student debt for systems engineering graduates is $21,255. Systems Engineering graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $57,529 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #8 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. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for systems engineering graduates is $19,137. Systems Engineering graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $122,914 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.

9

Missouri University Of Science And Technology
Rolla, MO

Missouri University Of Science And Technology came in at #9 for value in systems engineering this year. Located in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,984, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $25,187 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

10

The University Of Texas At El Paso
El Paso, TX

The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #10 position for value in systems engineering this year. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Typical student debt for systems engineering graduates is $19,819. Early-career systems engineering graduates make about $93,203. That is a strong return on a $19,819 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.

11

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University came in at #11 for value in 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. Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Systems Engineering graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $135,107 early in their careers. Set against $13,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.

12

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #12 among the best values for systems engineering. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Typical student debt for systems engineering graduates is $21,813. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.

13

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona came in at #13 for value in systems engineering this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,250 to complete the systems engineering program here. 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. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.

14

The University Of Texas At Dallas
Richardson, TX

The University Of Texas At Dallas ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value systems engineering schools. Set in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,644, compared with $40,144 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for systems engineering graduates is $20,531. Systems Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At Dallas earn a median of $109,325 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,531 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

15

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
Cambridge, MA

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology landed the #15 spot for systems engineering value this year. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,396. Typical student debt for systems engineering graduates is $13,516. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology generally make around $151,271. Set against $13,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology admits about 4% of applicants.

16

George Mason University
Fairfax, VA

George Mason University came in at #16 for value in systems engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for systems engineering graduates is $21,000. Early-career systems engineering graduates make about $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
Daytona Beach, FL

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide came in at #17 for value in systems engineering this year. Located in the city of Daytona Beach, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,097. Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,787 in student loans. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide generally make around $115,154. That is a strong return on a $20,787 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.

18

Kennesaw State University
Kennesaw, GA

Kennesaw State University earned the #18 position for value in systems engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,808 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,736. Typical student debt for systems engineering graduates is $31,000. Early-career systems engineering graduates make about $62,015. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.

19

Pennsylvania State University World Campus
University Park, PA

Pennsylvania State University World Campus landed the #19 spot for systems engineering value 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.

20

Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX

Texas Tech University earned the #20 position for value in systems engineering this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Typical student debt for systems engineering graduates is $24,271. Early-career systems engineering graduates make about $50,332. That is a strong return on a $24,271 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.

21

Colorado State University Fort Collins
Fort Collins, CO

Colorado State University Fort Collins earned the #21 position for value in systems engineering this year. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,373 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Students borrow a median of $22,843 to complete the systems engineering program here. Soon after graduation, 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. The acceptance rate is 88%.

22

Ecpi University
Virginia Beach, VA

Ecpi University came in at #22 for value in systems engineering this year. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Ecpi University is a large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $18,484 in tuition and fees. Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,988 in student loans. Early-career 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
St. Louis, MO

Washington University In St Louis placed #23 among the best values for systems engineering. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,790. Typical student debt for systems engineering graduates is $20,500. Systems Engineering graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $83,874 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 12%.

24

University Of Virginia Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA

University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #24 spot for systems engineering value this year. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Students from in state pay about $23,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Typical student debt for systems engineering graduates is $19,500. Systems Engineering graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $115,773 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 17%.

25

Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University landed the #25 spot for systems engineering value this year. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Typical student debt for systems engineering graduates is $25,232. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $63,598. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.