2026 Best Systems Science Theory Schools
Looking for the best Systems Science Theory programs programs in the United States? We have ranked 59 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor reviewed schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Systems Science Theory Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Carnegie Mellon University to be the best Systems Science Theory school in the United States. Based in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,636. The median Systems Science Theory program debt is $23,250. See the full Carnegie Mellon University profile
University Of Alabama At Birmingham came in at #2 on this year's Systems Science Theory ranking in the United States. This public school is set in Birmingham, AL. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,098, with out-of-state students paying around $22,562. University Of Alabama At Birmingham Systems Science Theory students take on a median of $26,162 in debt. See the full University Of Alabama At Birmingham profile
Worcester Polytechnic Institute came in at #3 on this year's Systems Science Theory ranking in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Worcester, MA. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $60,765. The median Systems Science Theory program debt is $26,259. Get the full Worcester Polytechnic Institute report
A rank of #4 makes Boston University one of the top choices in the United States. Boston University is a private not-for-profit school based in Boston, MA. Boston University posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Boston University Systems Science Theory students take on a median of $25,232 in debt. See the full Boston University profile
A rank of #5 makes Rice University one of the top choices in the United States. Located in Houston, TX, Rice University is a private not-for-profit institution. Rice University posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,247. Rice University Systems Science Theory students take on a median of $11,904 in debt. Get the full Rice University report
James Madison University placed #6 among Systems Science Theory schools in the United States. James Madison University is a public school based in Harrisonburg, VA. James Madison University posts a six-year graduation rate of 80%. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,966, with out-of-state students paying around $31,312. The median Systems Science Theory program debt is $22,301. Read more about James Madison University
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor did well this year, earning the #7 position. Located in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete their Systems Science Theory program here. More on University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
University Of California Irvine came in at #8 in this year's ranking. University Of California Irvine is a public school based in Irvine, CA. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Typical Systems Science Theory student debt is $16,539. Read the full report on University Of California Irvine
University Of Central Florida did well this year, earning the #9 position. Set in Orlando, FL, University Of Central Florida is a public institution. University Of Central Florida graduates 78% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Graduates carry a median of $21,620 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Central Florida
Old Dominion University did well this year, earning the #10 position. This public school is set in Norfolk, VA. Old Dominion University graduates 46% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Old Dominion University Systems Science Theory students take on a median of $26,001 in debt. More on Old Dominion University
University Of Vermont landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. Set in Burlington, VT, University Of Vermont is a public institution. University Of Vermont graduates 79% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $19,058 in tuition and fees, compared with $45,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,607 to complete their Systems Science Theory program here. Get the full University Of Vermont report
Suny At Binghamton came in at #12 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Vestal, NY. Suny At Binghamton posts a six-year graduation rate of 82%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,567, while out-of-state students pay about $30,447. Suny At Binghamton Systems Science Theory students take on a median of $20,691 in debt. Get the full Suny At Binghamton report
University Of Iowa ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Systems Science Theory schools. Set in Iowa City, IA, University Of Iowa is a public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,463 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Iowa
The University Of Tennessee did well this year, earning the #15 position. Based in Knoxville, TN, The University Of Tennessee is a public institution. The University Of Tennessee graduates 74% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Typical Systems Science Theory student debt is $22,859. More on The University Of Tennessee
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Systems Science Theory schools. 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $20,600 to complete their Systems Science Theory program here. More on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Eastern Illinois University came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Based in Charleston, IL, Eastern Illinois University is a public institution. About 47% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Graduates carry a median of $24,293 in student loans. More on Eastern Illinois University
The New School placed #18 among Systems Science Theory schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,730. The New School Systems Science Theory students take on a median of $24,460 in debt. See the full The New School profile
Portland State University came in at #19 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Portland, OR. Portland State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 53%. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Portland State University Systems Science Theory students take on a median of $26,475 in debt. More on Portland State University
La Salle University placed #20 among Systems Science Theory schools in the United States. La Salle University is a private not-for-profit school based in Philadelphia, PA. La Salle University graduates 58% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $37,800 in tuition and fees. The median Systems Science Theory program debt is $25,000. Get the full La Salle University report
Florida Atlantic University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Systems Science Theory schools. Florida Atlantic University is a public school based in Boca Raton, FL. About 63% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical Systems Science Theory student debt is $20,212. See the full Florida Atlantic University profile
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #22 spot in the United States this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public school based in Raleigh, NC. North Carolina State University At Raleigh posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Typical Systems Science Theory student debt is $22,113. Read the full report on North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. Based in Carbondale, IL, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Typical Systems Science Theory student debt is $23,730. Read more about Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Syracuse University placed #24 among Systems Science Theory schools in the United States. Based in Syracuse, NY, Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution. Syracuse University graduates 84% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,528. Graduates carry a median of $26,130 in student loans. See the full Syracuse University profile
University At Buffalo placed #24 among Systems Science Theory schools in the United States. See the full University At Buffalo profile
Rhode Island School Of Design came in at #25 in this year's ranking. Read more about Rhode Island School Of Design
Rest of the Top 50 Best Systems Science Theory Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Seattle University placed #26 among Systems Science Theory schools in the United States. Get the full Seattle University report
Nebraska Wesleyan University came in at #27 in this year's ranking. See the full Nebraska Wesleyan University profile
Clemson University landed the #28 spot in the United States this year. Get the full Clemson University report
Rutgers University Camden ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Systems Science Theory schools. Get the full Rutgers University Camden report
North Park University placed #30 among Systems Science Theory schools in the United States. Read more about North Park University
Claremont Mckenna College landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. Read more about Claremont Mckenna College
Suny College At Buffalo placed #32 among Systems Science Theory schools in the United States. Read more about Suny College At Buffalo
Stanford University did well this year, earning the #33 position. Get the full Stanford University report
Central Wyoming College came in at #34 in this year's ranking. Read more about Central Wyoming College
Pennsylvania Western University placed #35 among Systems Science Theory schools in the United States. Get the full Pennsylvania Western University report
Arizona State University did well this year, earning the #36 position. Read more about Arizona State University
Saint Louis University Main Campus landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on Saint Louis University Main Campus
Union College New York landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. More on Union College New York
Harvard University ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Systems Science Theory schools. See the full Harvard University profile
Johnson And Wales University Providence placed #40 among Systems Science Theory schools in the United States. See the full Johnson And Wales University Providence profile
Belmont Abbey College placed #41 among Systems Science Theory schools in the United States. Read more about Belmont Abbey College
Northeastern University ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Systems Science Theory schools. Read more about Northeastern University
Northwestern University did well this year, earning the #43 position. See the full Northwestern University profile
New York University came in at #44 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on New York University
College For Creative Studies placed #45 among Systems Science Theory schools in the United States. Read more about College For Creative Studies
Capitol College
Capitol College ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Systems Science Theory schools. Read the full report on Capitol College
Arizona State University Skysong came in at #47 in this year's ranking. Get the full Arizona State University Skysong report
Minnesota State University Mankato placed #48 among Systems Science Theory schools in the United States. Read more about Minnesota State University Mankato
Siena Heights University ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Systems Science Theory schools. Read the full report on Siena Heights University
Savannah College Of Art And Design came in at #50 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Savannah College Of Art And Design
Best Systems Science Theory Schools by Degree Level
See the best schools at each degree level:
- Best Systems Science Theory Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Systems Science Theory Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Systems Science Theory Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Systems Science Theory Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Systems Science Theory Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Systems Science Theory Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Systems Science Theory Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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 59 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).