2026 Best Systems Engineering Doctoral Degree Schools

#1

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology

Cambridge, MA

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Cambridge, MA. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. In-state tuition and fees run about $62,396. Typical Systems Engineering student debt is $13,516. Read the full report on Massachusetts Institute Of Technology

#2

University Of Virginia Main Campus

Charlottesville, VA

You'll be in good company at University Of Virginia Main Campus, which ranked #2 this year. Based in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Get the full University Of Virginia Main Campus report

#3

Washington University In St Louis

St. Louis, MO

You'll be in good company at Washington University In St Louis, which ranked #3 this year. Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit school based in St. Louis, MO. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Read more about Washington University In St Louis

#4

George Washington University

Washington, DC

Out of the 119 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, George Washington University landed the #4 spot. Based in Washington, DC, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,710. Typical Systems Engineering student debt is $22,910. Read more about George Washington University

#5

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #5 on this year's Systems Engineering ranking in the United States. Located in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign Systems Engineering students take on a median of $17,800 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

#6

Case Western Reserve University

Cleveland, OH

Case Western Reserve University did well this year, earning the #6 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Cleveland, OH. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $66,608. Students borrow a median of $25,106 to complete their Systems Engineering program here. Read more about Case Western Reserve University

#7

University Of Florida

Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. Set in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Graduates carry a median of $19,250 in student loans. See the full University Of Florida profile

#8

University Of California San Diego

La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. Set in La Jolla, CA, University Of California San Diego is a public institution. University Of California San Diego posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Students borrow a median of $17,101 to complete their Systems Engineering program here. See the full University Of California San Diego profile

#9

Boston University

Boston, MA

Boston University landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. Based in Boston, MA, Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. The median Systems Engineering program debt is $25,232. Read more about Boston University

#10

Missouri University Of Science And Technology

Rolla, MO

Missouri University Of Science And Technology came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Based in Rolla, MO, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a public institution. Missouri University Of Science And Technology posts a six-year graduation rate of 64%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,984, compared with $33,248 for out-of-state students. Missouri University Of Science And Technology Systems Engineering students take on a median of $25,187 in debt. More on Missouri University Of Science And Technology

#11

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Troy, NY

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit school based in Troy, NY. About 84% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,078. Typical Systems Engineering student debt is $24,975. Read the full report on Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

#12

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, TX

Texas Tech University came in at #12 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Lubbock, TX. About 69% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans. Read the full report on Texas Tech University

#13

Stevens Institute Of Technology

Hoboken, NJ

Stevens Institute Of Technology came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Based in Hoboken, NJ, Stevens Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. About 87% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $63,462. Students borrow a median of $26,767 to complete their Systems Engineering program here. See the full Stevens Institute Of Technology profile

#14

George Mason University

Fairfax, VA

George Mason University landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Fairfax, VA. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. The median Systems Engineering program debt is $21,000. More on George Mason University

#15

University Of Arizona

Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Based in Tucson, AZ, University Of Arizona is a public institution. University Of Arizona graduates 68% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Graduates carry a median of $18,250 in student loans. More on University Of Arizona

#16

Colorado State University Fort Collins

Fort Collins, CO

Colorado State University Fort Collins did well this year, earning the #16 position. Located in Fort Collins, CO, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public institution. Colorado State University Fort Collins graduates 66% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,373, compared with $35,061 for out-of-state students. Colorado State University Fort Collins Systems Engineering students take on a median of $22,843 in debt. Read the full report on Colorado State University Fort Collins

#17

Arizona State University

Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best Systems Engineering schools. This public school is set in Tempe, AZ. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. The median Systems Engineering program debt is $21,842. Read the full report on Arizona State University

#18

Florida Institute Of Technology

Melbourne, FL

Florida Institute Of Technology came in at #18 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Melbourne, FL. Florida Institute Of Technology graduates 62% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $45,900. Florida Institute Of Technology Systems Engineering students take on a median of $32,114 in debt. Read more about Florida Institute Of Technology

#19

University Of South Alabama

Mobile, AL

University Of South Alabama placed #19 among Systems Engineering schools in the United States. This public school is set in Mobile, AL. University Of South Alabama graduates 52% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $10,116 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,092. Typical Systems Engineering student debt is $26,513. Read more about University Of South Alabama

#20

University Of Louisiana Lafayette

Lafayette, LA

University Of Louisiana Lafayette placed #20 among Systems Engineering schools in the United States. This public school is set in Lafayette, LA. University Of Louisiana Lafayette graduates 53% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,418, with out-of-state students paying around $24,146. Typical Systems Engineering student debt is $24,373. Read more about University Of Louisiana Lafayette

#21

Texas A And M International University

Texas A And M International University landed the #21 spot in the United States this year. More on Texas A And M International University

#22

New Jersey Institute Of Technology

New Jersey Institute Of Technology ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Systems Engineering schools. Read the full report on New Jersey Institute Of Technology

#23

Capitol College

Capitol College did well this year, earning the #23 position. Read the full report on Capitol College

#24

Bowling Green State University Main Campus

Bowling Green State University Main Campus landed the #24 spot in the United States this year. Get the full Bowling Green State University Main Campus report

#25

Texas A And M University College Station

Texas A And M University College Station landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on Texas A And M University College Station

#26

Old Dominion University

Old Dominion University placed #26 among Systems Engineering schools in the United States. More on Old Dominion University

#27

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. Get the full Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis report

#28

Syracuse University

Syracuse University landed the #28 spot in the United States this year. Get the full Syracuse University report

#29

University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs

University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs came in at #29 in this year's ranking. See the full University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs profile

#30

Drexel University

Drexel University came in at #30 in this year's ranking. See the full Drexel University profile

#31

University Of St Thomas Minnesota

University Of St Thomas Minnesota came in at #31 in this year's ranking. Get the full University Of St Thomas Minnesota report

#32

Northeastern University Global Network

Northeastern University Global Network came in at #32 in this year's ranking. Read more about Northeastern University Global Network

#33

New Mexico State University Main Campus

New Mexico State University Main Campus landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. See the full New Mexico State University Main Campus profile

#34

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach came in at #34 in this year's ranking. See the full Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach profile

#35

Lawrence Technological University

Lawrence Technological University came in at #35 in this year's ranking. More on Lawrence Technological University

#36

University Of Houston Clear Lake

University Of Houston Clear Lake did well this year, earning the #36 position. More on University Of Houston Clear Lake

#37

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Worcester Polytechnic Institute landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. Get the full Worcester Polytechnic Institute report

#38

St Marys University

St Marys University ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best Systems Engineering schools. Read more about St Marys University

#39

United States Merchant Marine Academy

United States Merchant Marine Academy landed the #39 spot in the United States this year. See the full United States Merchant Marine Academy profile

#40

Weber State University

Weber State University came in at #40 in this year's ranking. See the full Weber State University profile

#41

University Of Wisconsin Madison

University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #41 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Madison

#42

Loyola Marymount University

Loyola Marymount University did well this year, earning the #42 position. Read the full report on Loyola Marymount University

#43

Portland State University

Portland State University landed the #43 spot in the United States this year. More on Portland State University

#44

Southeast Missouri State University

Southeast Missouri State University landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. More on Southeast Missouri State University

#45

Arizona State University Skysong

Arizona State University Skysong landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. See the full Arizona State University Skysong profile

#46

California Institute Of Technology

California Institute Of Technology did well this year, earning the #46 position. See the full California Institute Of Technology profile

#47

Maine Maritime Academy

Maine Maritime Academy ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best Systems Engineering schools. More on Maine Maritime Academy

#48

University Of Maryland Baltimore County

University Of Maryland Baltimore County ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Systems Engineering schools. See the full University Of Maryland Baltimore County profile

#49

Ecpi University

Ecpi University placed #49 among Systems Engineering schools in the United States. More on Ecpi University

#50

Central Connecticut State University

Central Connecticut State University did well this year, earning the #50 position. Get the full Central Connecticut State University report