by our College Data Analytics Team
If you’re a veteran, service member, or military-affiliated student looking to study systems science and theory, you’ve come to the right place. We have ranked 15 programs that serve veteran systems science and theory students especially well, using our 2026 methodology.
This ranking is based on the factors that matter most to veteran and military-affiliated students: affordability and veteran financial benefits (including GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon support), academic quality, on-campus veteran resources and support services, veteran-friendly policies, and the size of the veteran student community. To help you decide, College Factual evaluated colleges nationwide, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
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Here are the top-ranked systems science and theory colleges for veterans:
No school served veteran systems science and theory students better than James Madison University this year. James Madison University scores 89.6 out of 100 for veteran support overall. On veteran affordability it scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-support score. See the full systems science and theory report for James Madison University
A rank of #2 makes Binghamton University one of the top systems science and theory colleges for veteran students. Binghamton University scores 85.8 out of 100 for veteran support overall. On veteran affordability it scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7. See the full systems science and theory report for Binghamton University
Veteran students seeking a strong systems science and theory program will find one at University of Central Florida, which ranked #3. The school's overall veterans score is 84.7 out of 100. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7. Read more about systems science and theory at University of Central Florida
North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a great choice for veterans pursuing systems science and theory, landing the #4 spot this year. The school's overall veterans score is 80.9 out of 100. On veteran affordability it scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-support score. Read more about systems science and theory at North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Veteran students seeking a strong systems science and theory program will find one at Carnegie Mellon University, which ranked #5. Carnegie Mellon University scores 77.1 out of 100 for veteran support overall. On veteran affordability it scores 42.5, and veteran resources 66.7.
More about the systems science and theory program at Carnegie Mellon University
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Arizona State University Campus Immersion landed the #6 spot for veterans pursuing systems science and theory. The school's overall veterans score is 76.0 out of 100. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-support score. More about the systems science and theory program at Arizona State University Campus Immersion
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign landed the #7 spot for veterans pursuing systems science and theory. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign scores 75.4 out of 100 for veteran support overall. On veteran affordability it scores 100.0, and veteran resources 66.7. Read more about systems science and theory at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
University of Vermont landed the #8 spot for veterans pursuing systems science and theory. The school's overall veterans score is 73.2 out of 100. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 100.0, alongside a 33.3 veteran-support score. See the full systems science and theory report for University of Vermont
Boston University placed #9 among the best systems science and theory colleges for veterans. It scores 71.4 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 41.6, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7. More about the systems science and theory program at Boston University
Harvard University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best systems science and theory colleges for veterans. The school's overall veterans score is 71.4 out of 100. On veteran affordability it scores 45.9, and veteran resources 66.7.
Read more about systems science and theory at Harvard University
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Rice University placed #11 among the best systems science and theory colleges for veterans. The school's overall veterans score is 69.9 out of 100. Its affordability for veterans scores 46.7, and veteran resources 66.7. Read more about systems science and theory at Rice University
La Salle University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best systems science and theory colleges for veterans. La Salle University scores 68.1 out of 100 for veteran support overall. On veteran affordability it scores 76.2, with a veteran-resources score of 33.3. See the full systems science and theory report for La Salle University
The New School came in at #13 for veteran systems science and theory students this year. The school's overall veterans score is 65.5 out of 100. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 48.1, alongside a 66.7 veteran-support score. More about the systems science and theory program at The New School
Savannah College of Art and Design placed #14 among the best systems science and theory colleges for veterans. It scores 49.1 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 66.8, alongside a 0.0 veteran-support score. More about the systems science and theory program at Savannah College of Art and Design
Rhode Island School of Design landed the #15 spot for veterans pursuing systems science and theory. Rhode Island School of Design scores 38.1 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Its affordability for veterans scores 45.4, with a veteran-resources score of 0.0. More about the systems science and theory program at Rhode Island School of Design
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
This ranking is based on the factors that matter most to veteran and military-affiliated students studying systems science and theory: affordability and veteran financial benefits (GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon), academic quality, on-campus veteran resources and support services, veteran-friendly policies, and the size of the veteran student community.
These rankings are produced by College Factual, 2026 edition.
References
More about our data sources and methodologies.
