2026 Best Value Systems Engineering Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Systems Engineering doctoral degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 119 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor evaluated schools to compile this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Systems Engineering Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the best-value schools below:
Texas Tech University earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in the United States. This public school is set in Lubbock, TX. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,271 to complete their Systems Engineering program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $62,454 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 73% of those who apply are admitted. More on Texas Tech University
You'll get strong value at University Of Virginia Main Campus, which ranked #2 this year. Located in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $23,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. University Of Virginia Main Campus Systems Engineering students take on a median of $19,500 in debt. Median earnings reach $86,863 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Virginia Main Campus admits about 17% of applicants. More on University Of Virginia Main Campus
A rank of #3 makes University Of South Alabama one of the best values in the United States. Located in Mobile, AL, University Of South Alabama is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,116, compared with $19,092 for out-of-state students. University Of South Alabama Systems Engineering students take on a median of $26,513 in debt. University Of South Alabama alumni report median earnings of $49,379 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,513 median debt. About 71% of those who apply are admitted. More on University Of South Alabama
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Florida earned it the #4 place in the United States. This public school is set in Gainesville, FL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Graduates carry a median of $19,250 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $71,588 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $19,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%. Get the full University Of Florida report
Out of the 119 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, George Washington University landed the #5 spot. Set in Washington, DC, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,710 in tuition and fees. The median Systems Engineering program debt is $22,910. Graduates go on to earn a median of $90,873 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $22,910 median debt. Roughly 47% of applicants are accepted. More on George Washington University
Out of the 119 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #5 spot. Based in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. The median Systems Engineering program debt is $17,800. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $81,054. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%. See the full University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign profile
University Of California San Diego offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. University Of California San Diego is a public school based in La Jolla, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $17,101 in student loans. University Of California San Diego alumni report median earnings of $84,943 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California San Diego has an acceptance rate of 27%. Read more about University Of California San Diego
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Cambridge, MA. In-state tuition and fees run about $62,396. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Systems Engineering students take on a median of $13,516 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $143,372. That is a strong return on a $13,516 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%. Read the full report on Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
Arizona State University placed #9 among the best-value Systems Engineering schools in the United States. This public school is set in Tempe, AZ. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $21,842 to complete their Systems Engineering program here. Arizona State University alumni report median earnings of $62,668 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $21,842 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants. Read more about Arizona State University
Missouri University Of Science And Technology came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a public school based in Rolla, MO. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,984, compared with $33,248 for out-of-state students. Typical Systems Engineering student debt is $25,187. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $82,957. That is a strong return on a $25,187 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Missouri University Of Science And Technology
Florida Institute Of Technology offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Based in Melbourne, FL, Florida Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,900. The median Systems Engineering program debt is $32,114. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,137. Set against $32,114 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Institute Of Technology admits about 58% of applicants. See the full Florida Institute Of Technology profile
Colorado State University Fort Collins placed #12 among the best-value Systems Engineering schools in the United States. Set in Fort Collins, CO, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,373, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Students borrow a median of $22,843 to complete their Systems Engineering program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $60,543 ten years after entry. Set against $22,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Colorado State University Fort Collins has an acceptance rate of 88%. Read more about Colorado State University Fort Collins
University Of Louisiana Lafayette landed the #13 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Lafayette, LA, University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,418, with out-of-state students paying around $24,146. Students borrow a median of $24,373 to complete their Systems Engineering program here. University Of Louisiana Lafayette alumni report median earnings of $47,089 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Louisiana Lafayette admits about 87% of applicants. Get the full University Of Louisiana Lafayette report
University Of Arizona placed #14 among the best-value Systems Engineering schools in the United States. Based in Tucson, AZ, University Of Arizona is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $18,250 in student loans. University Of Arizona alumni report median earnings of $59,979 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arizona has an acceptance rate of 86%. Get the full University Of Arizona report
Washington University In St Louis placed #15 among the best-value Systems Engineering schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in St. Louis, MO. Students from in state pay about $65,790 in tuition and fees. The median Systems Engineering program debt is $20,500. Median earnings reach $86,182 ten years out. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 12% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Washington University In St Louis
George Mason University came in at #16 in this year's value ranking. Set in Fairfax, VA, George Mason University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Typical Systems Engineering student debt is $21,000. George Mason University alumni report median earnings of $76,343 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 88% of those who apply are admitted. More on George Mason University
Case Western Reserve University placed #17 among the best-value Systems Engineering schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Cleveland, OH. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,608. Graduates carry a median of $25,106 in student loans. Case Western Reserve University alumni report median earnings of $87,989 a decade after entry. Set against $25,106 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 36% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Case Western Reserve University report
Stevens Institute Of Technology landed the #18 spot for value in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Hoboken, NJ. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $63,462. Students borrow a median of $26,767 to complete their Systems Engineering program here. Median earnings reach $108,772 ten years out. Set against $26,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stevens Institute Of Technology admits about 48% of applicants. Read the full report on Stevens Institute Of Technology
Boston University landed the #19 spot for value in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Boston, MA. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Graduates carry a median of $25,232 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $83,238. Set against $25,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Boston University has an acceptance rate of 11%. Read the full report on Boston University
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute placed #20 among the best-value Systems Engineering schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Troy, NY. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,078. The median Systems Engineering program debt is $24,975. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute alumni report median earnings of $102,051 a decade after entry. Set against $24,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted. See the full Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute profile
University At Buffalo offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. Read more about University At Buffalo
University Of California Santa Cruz came in at #22 in this year's value ranking. Get the full University Of California Santa Cruz report
Colorado School Of Mines placed #23 among the best-value Systems Engineering schools in the United States. More on Colorado School Of Mines
University Of Connecticut ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best-value Systems Engineering schools. Get the full University Of Connecticut report
Florida State University placed #25 among the best-value Systems Engineering schools in the United States. Read more about Florida State University
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Systems Engineering Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
Duke University
Duke University placed #26 among the best-value Systems Engineering schools in the United States. Read the full report on Duke University
Suny At Binghamton landed the #27 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Suny At Binghamton profile
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor offered strong value this year, earning the #28 position. Read more about University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Citadel Military College Of South Carolina offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. More on Citadel Military College Of South Carolina
Anderson University Sc offered strong value this year, earning the #30 position. See the full Anderson University Sc profile
University Of Maryland Baltimore County came in at #31 in this year's value ranking. More on University Of Maryland Baltimore County
Arizona State University Skysong came in at #32 in this year's value ranking. See the full Arizona State University Skysong profile
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Great Valley landed the #33 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Pennsylvania State University Penn State Great Valley
Yavapai College
Yavapai College ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best-value Systems Engineering schools. More on Yavapai College
Southern Methodist University offered strong value this year, earning the #35 position. Get the full Southern Methodist University report
Ecpi University
Ecpi University placed #36 among the best-value Systems Engineering schools in the United States. More on Ecpi University
United States Merchant Marine Academy offered strong value this year, earning the #37 position. Read the full report on United States Merchant Marine Academy
University Of Pennsylvania landed the #38 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about University Of Pennsylvania
Drexel University came in at #39 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Drexel University
Johns Hopkins University landed the #40 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Johns Hopkins University
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #41 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Rutgers University New Brunswick report
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #42 among the best-value Systems Engineering schools in the United States. Read the full report on Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Clemson University came in at #43 in this year's value ranking. See the full Clemson University profile
University Of Alaska Fairbanks offered strong value this year, earning the #44 position. Get the full University Of Alaska Fairbanks report
Robert Morris University placed #45 among the best-value Systems Engineering schools in the United States. See the full Robert Morris University profile
Seattle University offered strong value this year, earning the #46 position. See the full Seattle University profile
Depaul University ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best-value Systems Engineering schools. See the full Depaul University profile
California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #48 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Kennesaw State University ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best-value Systems Engineering schools. See the full Kennesaw State University profile
North Carolina A And T State University came in at #50 in this year's value ranking. See the full North Carolina A And T State University profile
Related Systems Engineering Value Rankings
Compare value rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Value Systems Engineering Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Systems Engineering Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Systems Engineering Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Systems Engineering Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Systems Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Systems Engineering Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Systems Engineering Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 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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