2026 Best Systems Science & Theory Schools in Illinois

Systems Science & Theory is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for systems science & theory students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

• Best Systems Science & Theory Schools in Illinois

Best Schools for Systems Science & Theory in Illinois

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the systems science & theory degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Systems Science & Theory

1

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

Doctoral Degree Highest Degree Type

29 Systems Science & Theory Degrees Awarded

$81,002 Median Starting Salary

Our analysis ranked University Of Chicago the best school in the country for a degree in systems science & theory. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. About 96% of students finish within six years. University Of Chicago awarded about 29 systems science & theory degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the systems science & theory program make about $81,002 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in systems science & theory from University Of Chicago

2

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

Doctoral Degree Highest Degree Type

48 Systems Science & Theory Degrees Awarded

$35,239 Median Starting Salary

Students looking for a strong systems science & theory program will find one at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #2. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. About 85% of students finish within six years. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 48 systems science & theory degrees in the most recent data year. Systems Science & Theory graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $35,239 early in their careers. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $20,600 in student loans. Get the full systems science & theory details for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 6 schools evaluated.

• The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
• Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).

More about our data sources and methodologies.