2026 Best Systems Engineering Schools

1

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University tops our 2026 ranking of the best systems engineering schools. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 241 systems engineering degrees were awarded at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent year. Systems Engineering graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $135,107 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,426. Read more about the systems engineering program at Johns Hopkins University

2

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best systems engineering schools. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. About 109 systems engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $122,914. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans. See the full systems engineering program report for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

3

Colorado School Of Mines
Golden, CO

Students looking for a strong systems engineering program will find one at Colorado School Of Mines, which ranked #3. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Golden. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. About 77 systems engineering degrees were awarded at Colorado School Of Mines in the most recent year. Students who receive their systems engineering degree from Colorado School Of Mines earn around $76,298 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,521 to complete this degree. See the full systems engineering program report for Colorado School Of Mines

4

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in systems engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 92% of students finish within six years. University Of Southern California awarded about 24 systems engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their systems engineering degree from University Of Southern California earn around $118,363 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete this degree. Get the full systems engineering details for University Of Southern California

5

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in systems engineering, ranking #5. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. About 94% of students finish within six years. About 40 systems engineering degrees were awarded at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus in the most recent year. Systems Engineering graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $118,944 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,323. See the full systems engineering program report for Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus

6

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
Cambridge, MA

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology placed #6 among the best systems engineering schools. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. About 96% of students finish within six years. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology awarded about 204 systems engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their systems engineering degree from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earn around $151,271 in the first couple years of their career. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $13,516 in student loans. See the full systems engineering program report for Massachusetts Institute Of Technology

7

University Of Dayton
Dayton, OH

University Of Dayton landed the #7 spot for systems engineering this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Dayton. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 systems engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Dayton in the most recent data year. Students who receive their systems engineering degree from University Of Dayton earn around $56,077 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,033. Read more about the systems engineering program at University Of Dayton

8

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego placed #8 among the best systems engineering schools. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 31 systems engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of California San Diego in the most recent data year. Graduates of the systems engineering program make about $60,797 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,101 to complete this degree. Get the full systems engineering details for University Of California San Diego

9

United States Merchant Marine Academy
Kings Point, NY

United States Merchant Marine Academy landed the #9 spot for systems engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Kings Point, United States Merchant Marine Academy is a small public institution. About 82% of students finish within six years. United States Merchant Marine Academy awarded about 36 systems engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the systems engineering program make about $69,847 in their early career. See the full systems engineering program report for United States Merchant Marine Academy

10

University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania landed the #10 spot for systems engineering this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 88 systems engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the systems engineering program make about $99,682 in their early career. University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Read more about the systems engineering program at University Of Pennsylvania

11

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida landed the #11 spot for systems engineering this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 499 systems engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Florida in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $96,835. Typical student debt for the program is $19,250. More information about a degree in systems engineering from University Of Florida

12

University Of Denver
Denver, CO

University Of Denver placed #12 among the best systems engineering schools. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit university. About 76% of students finish within six years. University Of Denver awarded about 72 systems engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the systems engineering program make about $56,999 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,534 to complete this degree. Get the full systems engineering details for University Of Denver

13

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #13 among the best systems engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 65 systems engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $81,785. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $17,800 in student loans. Get the full systems engineering details for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

14

University Of Detroit Mercy
Detroit, MI

University Of Detroit Mercy placed #14 among the best systems engineering schools. University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Detroit. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 19 systems engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Detroit Mercy in the most recent data year. Systems Engineering graduates of University Of Detroit Mercy earn a median of $76,755 early in their careers. University Of Detroit Mercy graduates carry a median of $29,053 in student loans. More information about a degree in systems engineering from University Of Detroit Mercy

15

Washington University In St Louis
St. Louis, MO

Washington University In St Louis came in at #15 for systems engineering this year. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. About 94% of students finish within six years. Washington University In St Louis awarded about 38 systems engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their systems engineering degree from Washington University In St Louis earn around $83,874 in the first couple years of their career. Washington University In St Louis graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. See the full systems engineering program report for Washington University In St Louis

16

University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah came in at #16 for systems engineering this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. University Of Utah graduates 65% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 systems engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Utah in the most recent data year. Systems Engineering graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $60,527 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,798. See the full systems engineering program report for University Of Utah

17

Cornell University
Ithaca, NY

Cornell University came in at #17 for systems engineering this year. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 129 systems engineering students who graduated with this degree at Cornell University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the systems engineering program make about $117,455 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,005 to complete this degree. Read more about the systems engineering program at Cornell University

18

University Of Virginia Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA

University Of Virginia Main Campus earned the #18 position for systems engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 117 systems engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent year. Systems Engineering graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $103,476 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. Get the full systems engineering details for University Of Virginia Main Campus

19

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #19 among the best systems engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Madison. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 systems engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Systems Engineering graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete this degree. See the full systems engineering program report for University Of Wisconsin Madison

20

Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA

Loyola Marymount University earned the #20 position for systems engineering this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. Loyola Marymount University graduates 79% of students within six years. About 12 systems engineering degrees were awarded at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from Loyola Marymount University generally make around $52,935. Typical student debt for the program is $22,248. See the full systems engineering program report for Loyola Marymount University

21

Stevens Institute Of Technology
Hoboken, NJ

Stevens Institute Of Technology earned the #21 position for systems engineering this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Hoboken. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 271 systems engineering degrees were awarded at Stevens Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. 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. More information about a degree in systems engineering from Stevens Institute Of Technology

22

George Washington University
Washington, DC

George Washington University came in at #22 for systems engineering this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 96 systems engineering students who graduated with this degree at George Washington University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the systems engineering program make about $119,258 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,910 to complete this degree. Read more about the systems engineering program at George Washington University

23

Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University earned the #23 position for systems engineering this year. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 23 systems engineering degrees were awarded at Boston University in the most recent year. Systems Engineering graduates of Boston University earn a median of $63,598 early in their careers. Boston University graduates carry a median of $25,232 in student loans. See the full systems engineering program report for Boston University

24

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

University Of Houston landed the #24 spot for systems engineering this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. There were roughly 56 systems engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Houston in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $57,529. Typical student debt for the program is $21,255. See the full systems engineering program report for University Of Houston

25

Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester, MA

Worcester Polytechnic Institute earned the #25 position for systems engineering this year. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. About 48 systems engineering degrees were awarded at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in the most recent year. Systems Engineering graduates of Worcester Polytechnic Institute earn a median of $127,141 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,259 to complete this degree. See the full systems engineering program report for Worcester Polytechnic Institute