2026 Best Value Systems Science & Theory Schools

1

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

For return on investment in systems science & theory, no school beat Stanford University this year. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Systems Science & Theory graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Systems Science & Theory graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.

2

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Purdue University Main Campus earned it the #2 place for systems science & theory. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete the systems science & theory program here. Systems Science & Theory graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,111 early in their careers. Set against $19,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.

3

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in systems science & theory, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for systems science & theory graduates is $21,620. Systems Science & Theory graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $51,790 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,620 median debt. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.

4

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value systems science & theory schools. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for systems science & theory graduates is $21,842. Systems Science & Theory graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $55,876 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,842 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

5

Marshall University
Huntington, WV

A rank of #5 makes Marshall University one of the best values for systems science & theory. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the systems science & theory program here. Soon after graduation, systems science & theory degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $29,539. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.

6

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University landed the #6 spot for systems science & theory value this year. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Typical student debt for systems science & theory graduates is $16,616. Soon after graduation, systems science & theory degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.

7

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #7 for value in systems science & theory this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for systems science & theory graduates is $20,600. Soon after graduation, systems science & theory degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $35,239. Set against $20,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

8

Central Wyoming College
Riverton, WY

Central Wyoming College came in at #8 for value in systems science & theory this year. Set in the town of Riverton, Central Wyoming College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800, with out-of-state students paying around $11,100. Typical student debt for systems science & theory graduates is $12,820. Soon after graduation, systems science & theory degree recipients from Central Wyoming College generally make around $65,164. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago placed #9 among the best values for systems science & theory. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for systems science & theory graduates is $15,854. Systems Science & Theory graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.

10

North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Raleigh, NC

North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #10 for value in systems science & theory this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,113 to complete the systems science & theory program here. Early-career systems science & theory graduates make about $65,032. Set against $22,113 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.

11

University Of Vermont
Burlington, VT

University Of Vermont earned the #11 position for value in systems science & theory this year. Located in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $19,058 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $45,502. Typical student debt for systems science & theory graduates is $22,607. Systems Science & Theory graduates of University Of Vermont earn a median of $44,588 early in their careers. Set against $22,607 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

12

Pennsylvania Western University
California, PA

Pennsylvania Western University placed #12 among the best values for systems science & theory. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,436, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $47,295 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 94%.

13

Suny At Binghamton
Vestal, NY

Suny At Binghamton landed the #13 spot for systems science & theory value this year. Located in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,567, with out-of-state students paying around $30,447. Typical student debt for systems science & theory graduates is $20,691. Early-career systems science & theory graduates make about $86,628. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.

14

University At Buffalo
Buffalo, NY

University At Buffalo ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value systems science & theory schools. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Systems Science & Theory graduates carry a median of $22,232 in student loans. Systems Science & Theory graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $52,403 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,232 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

15

University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa landed the #15 spot for systems science & theory value this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Systems Science & Theory graduates carry a median of $24,463 in student loans. Early-career systems science & theory graduates make about $57,375. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.

16

James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University landed the #16 spot for systems science & theory value this year. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,966, while out-of-state students pay about $31,312. Students borrow a median of $22,301 to complete the systems science & theory program here. Systems Science & Theory graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $65,683 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.

17

Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University placed #17 among the best values for systems science & theory. 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. Systems Science & Theory graduates carry a median of $25,232 in student loans. Soon after graduation, systems science & theory degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $63,598. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.

18

Claremont Mckenna College
Claremont, CA

Claremont Mckenna College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value systems science & theory schools. Claremont Mckenna College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Claremont. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,980. Systems Science & Theory graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, systems science & theory degree recipients from Claremont Mckenna College generally make around $66,028. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Claremont Mckenna College admits about 10% of applicants.

19

Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA

Carnegie Mellon University earned the #19 position for value in systems science & theory this year. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $65,636. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the systems science & theory program here. Systems Science & Theory graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $95,598 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Carnegie Mellon University admits about 12% of applicants.

20

Savannah College Of Art And Design
Savannah, GA

Savannah College Of Art And Design landed the #20 spot for systems science & theory value this year. Located in the city of Savannah, Savannah College Of Art And Design is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,630. Typical student debt for systems science & theory graduates is $26,346. Soon after graduation, systems science & theory degree recipients from Savannah College Of Art And Design generally make around $40,671. That is a strong return on a $26,346 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

21

Rhode Island School Of Design
Providence, RI

Rhode Island School Of Design placed #21 among the best values for systems science & theory. Located in the city of Providence, Rhode Island School Of Design is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Systems Science & Theory graduates carry a median of $26,748 in student loans. Soon after graduation, systems science & theory degree recipients from Rhode Island School Of Design generally make around $34,265. Set against $26,748 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 19%.

22

The New School
New York, NY

The New School earned the #22 position for value in systems science & theory this year. Set in the city of New York, The New School is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $58,730 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,460 to complete the systems science & theory program here. Soon after graduation, systems science & theory degree recipients from The New School generally make around $97,856. Set against $24,460 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The New School admits about 64% of applicants.

23

School Of Visual Arts
New York, NY

School Of Visual Arts ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value systems science & theory schools. School Of Visual Arts is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $51,400. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the systems science & theory program here. Early-career systems science & theory graduates make about $68,946. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.