2026 Best Systems Engineering Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Systems Engineering master’s degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 119 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor evaluated schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Systems Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Our analysis found Massachusetts Institute Of Technology to be the best Systems Engineering school in the United States. Located in Cambridge, MA, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,396. Graduates carry a median of $13,516 in student loans. Read the full report on Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
Out of the 119 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Johns Hopkins University landed the #2 spot. This private not-for-profit school is set in Baltimore, MD. Johns Hopkins University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete their Systems Engineering program here. See the full Johns Hopkins University profile
A rank of #3 makes University Of Virginia Main Campus one of the top choices in the United States. Set in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Typical Systems Engineering student debt is $19,500. See the full University Of Virginia Main Campus profile
Out of the 119 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, University Of Southern California landed the #4 spot. This private not-for-profit school is set in Los Angeles, CA. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Typical Systems Engineering student debt is $15,625. More on University Of Southern California
Out of the 119 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus landed the #5 spot. This public school is set in Atlanta, GA. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. The median Systems Engineering program debt is $24,323. Read the full report on Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Washington University In St Louis landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. Based in St. Louis, MO, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,790. Typical Systems Engineering student debt is $20,500. Get the full Washington University In St Louis report
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #8 among Systems Engineering schools in the United States. Set in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin Madison posts a six-year graduation rate of 90%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete their Systems Engineering program here. See the full University Of Wisconsin Madison profile
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Systems Engineering schools. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public school based in Ann Arbor, MI. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete their Systems Engineering program here. Read more about University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Cornell University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Systems Engineering schools. Set in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Cornell University graduates 95% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $69,314 in tuition and fees. Cornell University Systems Engineering students take on a median of $15,005 in debt. Read the full report on Cornell University
University Of Pennsylvania did well this year, earning the #11 position. Based in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Read more about University Of Pennsylvania
Loyola Marymount University did well this year, earning the #12 position. Set in Los Angeles, CA, Loyola Marymount University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 79% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $61,867 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $22,248 in student loans. See the full Loyola Marymount University profile
Case Western Reserve University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best Systems Engineering schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Cleveland, OH. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. In-state tuition and fees average $66,608. Graduates carry a median of $25,106 in student loans. More on Case Western Reserve University
University Of California San Diego did well this year, earning the #14 position. Based in La Jolla, CA, University Of California San Diego is a public institution. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. The median Systems Engineering program debt is $17,101. Get the full University Of California San Diego report
University Of St Thomas Minnesota placed #15 among Systems Engineering schools in the United States. Set in Saint Paul, MN, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of St Thomas Minnesota graduates 77% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $54,398 in tuition and fees. The median Systems Engineering program debt is $23,923. Read more about University Of St Thomas Minnesota
George Washington University did well this year, earning the #16 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Washington, DC. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,710. George Washington University Systems Engineering students take on a median of $22,910 in debt. Read the full report on George Washington University
Lawrence Technological University did well this year, earning the #17 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Southfield, MI. Lawrence Technological University graduates 60% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,760. Lawrence Technological University Systems Engineering students take on a median of $27,799 in debt. Read the full report on Lawrence Technological University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. Set in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Graduates carry a median of $23,393 in student loans. See the full Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University profile
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Based 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, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. The median Systems Engineering program debt is $17,800. More on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Colorado School Of Mines came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Set in Golden, CO, Colorado School Of Mines is a public institution. About 82% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,914, with out-of-state students paying around $45,824. The median Systems Engineering program debt is $24,521. Read more about Colorado School Of Mines
Southern Methodist University came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Located in Dallas, TX, Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Southern Methodist University graduates 84% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $67,040. The median Systems Engineering program debt is $20,712. Read more about Southern Methodist University
Missouri University Of Science And Technology ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Systems Engineering schools. Set 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%. In-state tuition and fees average $14,984, with out-of-state students paying around $33,248. Missouri University Of Science And Technology Systems Engineering students take on a median of $25,187 in debt. Read the full report on Missouri University Of Science And Technology
Texas A And M University College Station did well this year, earning the #23 position. This public school is set in College Station, TX. Texas A And M University College Station graduates 84% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Texas A And M University College Station Systems Engineering students take on a median of $20,031 in debt. Read more about Texas A And M University College Station
University Of Maryland College Park did well this year, earning the #24 position. Set in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete their Systems Engineering program here. Read more about University Of Maryland College Park
University Of Florida placed #26 among Systems Engineering schools in the United States. Set in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical Systems Engineering student debt is $19,250. Read more about University Of Florida
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best Systems Engineering schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Daytona Beach, FL. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide posts a six-year graduation rate of 23%. Students from in state pay about $12,097 in tuition and fees. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide Systems Engineering students take on a median of $20,787 in debt. See the full Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best Systems Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Oakland University ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best Systems Engineering schools. Oakland University is a public school based in Rochester Hills, MI. About 58% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $25,972 in student loans. More on Oakland University
Iowa State University landed the #29 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Ames, IA. Iowa State University graduates 75% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Students borrow a median of $23,495 to complete their Systems Engineering program here. More on Iowa State University
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Systems Engineering schools. Set in New Brunswick, NJ, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. The median Systems Engineering program debt is $25,120. Get the full Rutgers University New Brunswick report
Northeastern University ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Systems Engineering schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Boston, MA. About 90% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $66,162 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,611 to complete their Systems Engineering program here. See the full Northeastern University profile
Stevens Institute Of Technology placed #32 among Systems Engineering schools in the United States. Set in Hoboken, NJ, Stevens Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. Students from in state pay about $63,462 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $26,767 in student loans. Read more about Stevens Institute Of Technology
Boston University ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Systems Engineering schools. Set in Boston, MA, Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution. Boston University graduates 89% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Graduates carry a median of $25,232 in student loans. More on Boston University
New Jersey Institute Of Technology did well this year, earning the #34 position. Located in Newark, NJ, New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a public institution. New Jersey Institute Of Technology posts a six-year graduation rate of 73%. Students from in state pay about $19,974 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,664. Graduates carry a median of $24,755 in student loans. See the full New Jersey Institute Of Technology profile
University Of Michigan Dearborn placed #35 among Systems Engineering schools in the United States. Based in Dearborn, MI, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a public institution. University Of Michigan Dearborn graduates 58% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,640, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. The median Systems Engineering program debt is $26,516. Read the full report on University Of Michigan Dearborn
University Of Houston landed the #36 spot in the United States this year. Based in Houston, TX, University Of Houston is a public institution. University Of Houston posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. The median Systems Engineering program debt is $21,255. Read the full report on University Of Houston
Worcester Polytechnic Institute did well this year, earning the #38 position. Set in Worcester, MA, Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduates 90% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $60,765. Graduates carry a median of $26,259 in student loans. See the full Worcester Polytechnic Institute profile
George Mason University landed the #39 spot in the United States this year. George Mason University is a public school based in Fairfax, VA. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. George Mason University Systems Engineering students take on a median of $21,000 in debt. Read the full report on George Mason University
California State Polytechnic University Pomona did well this year, earning the #40 position. Based in Pomona, CA, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Typical Systems Engineering student debt is $17,226. Get the full California State Polytechnic University Pomona report
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute placed #41 among Systems Engineering schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Troy, NY. About 84% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,078. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Systems Engineering students take on a median of $24,975 in debt. See the full Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute profile
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Systems Engineering schools. Set in Daytona Beach, FL, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. In-state tuition and fees run about $44,074. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach Systems Engineering students take on a median of $22,845 in debt. Get the full Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach report
Drexel University landed the #43 spot in the United States this year. Based in Philadelphia, PA, Drexel University is a private not-for-profit institution. Drexel University graduates 78% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,412. Students borrow a median of $28,838 to complete their Systems Engineering program here. More on Drexel University
University Of Arizona landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. University Of Arizona is a public school based in Tucson, AZ. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,250 to complete their Systems Engineering program here. See the full University Of Arizona profile
Colorado State University Fort Collins placed #45 among Systems Engineering schools in the United States. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public school based in Fort Collins, CO. Colorado State University Fort Collins graduates 66% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. Students borrow a median of $22,843 to complete their Systems Engineering program here. Get the full Colorado State University Fort Collins report
Florida State University did well this year, earning the #46 position. This public school is set in Tallahassee, FL. Florida State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. The median Systems Engineering program debt is $20,488. See the full Florida State University profile
Florida Institute Of Technology landed the #48 spot in the United States this year. Florida Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit school based in Melbourne, FL. About 62% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,900. The median Systems Engineering program debt is $32,114. More on Florida Institute Of Technology
Arizona State University Skysong placed #49 among Systems Engineering schools in the United States. Based in Scottsdale, AZ, Arizona State University Skysong is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,627, with out-of-state students paying around $13,925. Students borrow a median of $23,742 to complete their Systems Engineering program here. Read the full report on Arizona State University Skysong
University Of Denver ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Systems Engineering schools. Based in Denver, CO, University Of Denver is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,398. The median Systems Engineering program debt is $22,534. Read the full report on University Of Denver
University Of Maryland Baltimore County placed #51 among Systems Engineering schools in the United States. Located in Baltimore, MD, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a public institution. University Of Maryland Baltimore County graduates 69% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $13,256 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,225. Students borrow a median of $21,331 to complete their Systems Engineering program here. Read more about University Of Maryland Baltimore County
The University Of Texas At Dallas came in at #52 in this year's ranking. The University Of Texas At Dallas is a public school based in Richardson, TX. The University Of Texas At Dallas graduates 76% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,644, with out-of-state students paying around $40,144. The University Of Texas At Dallas Systems Engineering students take on a median of $20,531 in debt. More on The University Of Texas At Dallas
Arizona State University did well this year, earning the #53 position. Located in Tempe, AZ, Arizona State University is a public institution. Arizona State University graduates 68% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical Systems Engineering student debt is $21,842. Read more about Arizona State University
Texas Tech University landed the #54 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Lubbock, TX. About 69% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Texas Tech University Systems Engineering students take on a median of $24,271 in debt. See the full Texas Tech University profile
Related Systems Engineering Rankings
See rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Systems Engineering Schools (All Levels)
- Best Systems Engineering Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Systems Engineering Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Systems Engineering Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Systems Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Systems Engineering Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Systems Engineering Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 119 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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