by our College Data Analytics TeamSystems Theory is an interdisciplinary major using information from many different subjects. Students will learn to apply a variety of theories to solve complex and intricate problems. This major will open your mind to multiple perspectives as you take classes in the natural and social sciences, technology, human behavior and history.
Successful students will have the ability to make connections between vast amounts of data. You will survey and analyze complex problems and use different data and models to find solutions. You will analyze small amounts of data in order to pull them together to create the big picture. You will be creating systems for almost any topic, from the digestive system to political systems.
A degree in Systems Theory involves the study of Systems Science And Theory. Continue reading for the essential details every systems theory student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering systems theory programs.
Across the country, systems theory draws strong interest, with 1,061 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Systems Theory Schools ranking analyzes these 43 schools to determine the best overall colleges for systems theory students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of systems theory programs later in this article.
Studies in Systems Theory build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations systems theory graduates commonly enter.
Creativity is very important in this major. You will be exploring many different ideas and methods. As an interdisciplinary subject, you need to understand a wide variety of subjects and be able to apply what you learn to different systems. As an integrative thinker you should constantly want more knowledge to help you advance your ideas. Interacting with your work and analyzing the results will help you gain the critical problem solving skills you will need to succeed.
It is important that you are able to work well with others. You will be working in teams to complete large projects. Be open to ideas from peers; collaborating with others will lead to your success. It will also allow you to more easily take the theories you learn in class and put them into practice.
Skills developed in a systems theory program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a systems theory major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several systems theory degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 10 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 507 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 498 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 46 |
People currently working in careers related to systems theory tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 61.5% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 10.0% |
| Master’s degree | 8.1% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 7.5% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.8% |
| Some college courses | 3.8% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.1% |
| Doctoral degree | 0.8% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.5% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in systems theory careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A major in Systems Theory can lead to careers in a variety of industries. Employers will appreciate your broad education and ability to synthesize information. Graduates find work in systems psychology, systems engineering, or systems dynamics. You could also work in software, information technology or sociology.
Studying systems theory can lead to a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to systems theory.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to systems theory.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | 964,215 | -0.1% |
| Managers, All Other | 468,025 | 6.2% |
| Compliance Managers | 310,203 | 13.0% |
| Loss Prevention Managers | 265,210 | 2.2% |
| Regulatory Affairs Managers | 206,415 | 9.9% |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | 128,884 | 5.2% |
| Wind Energy Development Managers | 107,541 | 10.1% |
| Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers | 105,398 | -1.9% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of systems theory graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $64,573 |
| 4 years | $86,308 |
| 5 years | $99,874 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for systems theory graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers systems theory grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Wind Energy Development Managers | $169,952 |
| Loss Prevention Managers | $165,723 |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | $122,567 |
| Compliance Managers | $117,178 |
| Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers | $99,321 |
| Managers, All Other | $95,684 |
| Regulatory Affairs Managers | $77,828 |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $68,967 |
With 43 different systems theory programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased systems theory school rankings to help you.
Students interested in systems theory, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Systems Science and Theory | 1,061 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 30,141 |
| Biological and Physical Sciences | 28,033 |
| Data Analytics | 12,891 |
| MULTI/INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES | 10,355 |
| Data Science | 7,716 |
| International/Globalization Studies | 5,740 |
| Nutrition Sciences | 5,456 |
| Behavioral Sciences | 5,391 |
| Sustainability Studies | 4,374 |
| Cognitive Science | 3,121 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
