2026 Best Systems Science Theory Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best Systems Science Theory doctoral degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 59 schools 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.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor reviewed schools to produce 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 Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
No school ranked higher than Carnegie Mellon University this year in the United States. Located in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. Carnegie Mellon University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. In-state tuition and fees average $65,636. The median Systems Science Theory program debt is $23,250. Read more about Carnegie Mellon University
You'll be in good company at University Of California Irvine, which ranked #2 this year. This public school is set in Irvine, CA. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Typical Systems Science Theory student debt is $16,539. Read the full report on University Of California Irvine
University Of Central Florida came in at #3 on this year's Systems Science Theory ranking in the United States. University Of Central Florida is a public school based in Orlando, FL. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,620 in student loans. See the full University Of Central Florida profile
Suny At Binghamton came in at #4 on this year's Systems Science Theory ranking in the United States. Set in Vestal, NY, Suny At Binghamton is a public institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $10,567, compared with $30,447 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,691 in student loans. Read the full report on Suny At Binghamton
A rank of #5 makes The University Of Tennessee one of the top choices in the United States. This public school is set in Knoxville, TN. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Typical Systems Science Theory student debt is $22,859. Read the full report on The University Of Tennessee
Portland State University placed #6 among Systems Science Theory schools in the United States. Located in Portland, OR, Portland State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Students borrow a median of $26,475 to complete their Systems Science Theory program here. Get the full Portland State University report
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #7 among Systems Science Theory schools in the United States. This public school is set in Raleigh, NC. About 85% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. The median Systems Science Theory program debt is $22,113. Get the full North Carolina State University At Raleigh report
Central Wyoming College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Systems Science Theory schools. Read the full report on Central Wyoming College
Syracuse University did well this year, earning the #9 position. Get the full Syracuse University report
Pitzer College
Pitzer College came in at #10 in this year's ranking. See the full Pitzer College profile
Rutgers University Camden ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Systems Science Theory schools. See the full Rutgers University Camden profile
University Of Alabama At Birmingham did well this year, earning the #12 position. Read more about University Of Alabama At Birmingham
Vanderbilt University placed #13 among Systems Science Theory schools in the United States. Get the full Vanderbilt University report
Clemson University landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. More on Clemson University
Claremont Mckenna College landed the #15 spot in the United States this year. See the full Claremont Mckenna College profile
James Madison University came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on James Madison University
Kansas State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best Systems Science Theory schools. More on Kansas State University
Worcester Polytechnic Institute ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Systems Science Theory schools. See the full Worcester Polytechnic Institute profile
University Of Iowa came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Get the full University Of Iowa report
Siena Heights University came in at #20 in this year's ranking. More on Siena Heights University
Harvard University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Systems Science Theory schools. Read more about Harvard University
Scripps College
Scripps College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Systems Science Theory schools. See the full Scripps College profile
Arizona State University placed #23 among Systems Science Theory schools in the United States. See the full Arizona State University profile
New York University landed the #24 spot in the United States this year. Get the full New York University report
Marshall University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Systems Science Theory schools. Read the full report on Marshall University
Rest of the Top 50 Best Systems Science Theory Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Belmont Abbey College landed the #26 spot in the United States this year. See the full Belmont Abbey College profile
Suny College At Buffalo came in at #27 in this year's ranking. See the full Suny College At Buffalo profile
Saint Louis University Main Campus did well this year, earning the #28 position. Read more about Saint Louis University Main Campus
Minnesota State University Mankato did well this year, earning the #29 position. Get the full Minnesota State University Mankato report
Seattle University ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Systems Science Theory schools. Read the full report on Seattle University
Pennsylvania Western University came in at #31 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Pennsylvania Western University
Capitol College
Capitol College placed #32 among Systems Science Theory schools in the United States. See the full Capitol College profile
The New School
The New School landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. More on The New School
School Of Visual Arts did well this year, earning the #34 position. Read the full report on School Of Visual Arts
North Park University landed the #35 spot in the United States this year. More on North Park University
Northeastern University placed #36 among Systems Science Theory schools in the United States. See the full Northeastern University profile
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #37 in this year's ranking. See the full University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign profile
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #38 in this year's ranking. Get the full Purdue University Main Campus report
Arizona State University Skysong ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Systems Science Theory schools. More on Arizona State University Skysong
Savannah College Of Art And Design placed #40 among Systems Science Theory schools in the United States. Read more about Savannah College Of Art And Design
Rhode Island School Of Design came in at #41 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Rhode Island School Of Design
Rice University
Rice University ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Systems Science Theory schools. Read more about Rice University
Johnson And Wales University Providence landed the #43 spot in the United States this year. Get the full Johnson And Wales University Providence report
Old Dominion University did well this year, earning the #44 position. Get the full Old Dominion University report
Nebraska Wesleyan University came in at #45 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Nebraska Wesleyan University
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #46 spot in the United States this year. Read more about University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best Systems Science Theory schools. Read the full report on Southern Illinois University Carbondale
University Of Vermont came in at #48 in this year's ranking. Read more about University Of Vermont
College For Creative Studies did well this year, earning the #49 position. Read more about College For Creative Studies
United States Military Academy ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Systems Science Theory schools. Get the full United States Military Academy report
Related Systems Science Theory Rankings
Compare rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Systems Science Theory Schools (All Levels)
- 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
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 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).
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.