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Finding the Highest Paying Systems Engineering School for You
Where you study systems engineering affects what graduates go on to earn. That is why we developed our Highest Paid Systems Engineering Graduates ranking. We rank each school on the early-career earnings of its systems engineering graduates to surface the highest-paying programs.
Read more about our methodology
One Size Does Not Fit All
We offer a number of rankings, including this Highest Paid Systems Engineering Graduates list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this 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.
See how we build our rankings
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2026 Highest Paid Systems Engineering Grads in the United States
Below are the schools whose systems engineering graduates go on to earn the most.
Highest Paid Systems Engineering Graduates
University Of Virginia Main Campus earned the #1 spot for highest-paid systems engineering graduates in the United States. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Early-career systems engineering graduates from University Of Virginia Main Campus make a median of around $131,258 per year.
A rank of #2 makes George Mason University one of the highest-paying schools for systems engineering. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a public institution. After graduating, systems engineering degree recipients from George Mason University typically earn about $120,847 annually.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Florida one of the highest-paying schools for systems engineering. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a public institution. After graduating, systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Florida typically earn about $108,020 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in systems engineering will find them at Maine Maritime Academy, which ranked #4. Located in the rural area of Castine, Maine Maritime Academy is a public institution. Students who complete the systems engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $90,393.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Arizona one of the highest-paying schools for systems engineering. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a public institution. Systems Engineering graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of about $103,877 a year early in their careers.
ADBLOCK #101
Washington University In St Louis landed the #6 spot for systems engineering salaries this year. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, systems engineering degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis typically earn about $83,874 annually.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #7 for systems engineering graduate earnings this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public school located in the city of Champaign. After graduating, systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign typically earn about $81,785 annually.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earned the #8 position for systems engineering graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a public institution. Systems Engineering graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of about $89,128 a year early in their careers.
Otterbein University landed the #9 spot for systems engineering salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Westerville, Otterbein University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career systems engineering graduates from Otterbein University make a median of around $63,243 per year.
Kennesaw State University landed the #10 spot for systems engineering salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a public institution. Systems Engineering graduates of Kennesaw State University earn a median of about $62,015 a year early in their careers.
Texas A And M International University placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for systems engineering. Texas A And M International University is a public school located in the city of Laredo. Early-career systems engineering graduates from Texas A And M International University make a median of around $49,755 per year.
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Narrow Systems Engineering Schools by Region
by our College Data Analytics Team
[Systems Engineering](/majors/engineering/systems-engineering/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. The highest-paying schools turn a systems engineering degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
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