2026 Best Value Systems Science Theory Schools
Looking for the best-value Systems Science Theory programs programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 59 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor evaluated schools to produce 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 Science Theory Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
University Of Alabama At Birmingham tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Systems Science Theory programs schools in the United States. Located in Birmingham, AL, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,098, compared with $22,562 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,162 to complete their Systems Science Theory program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,501 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 88% of those who apply are admitted. More on University Of Alabama At Birmingham
You'll get strong value at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, which ranked #2 this year. Based in Worcester, MA, Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $60,765. Worcester Polytechnic Institute Systems Science Theory students take on a median of $26,259 in debt. Worcester Polytechnic Institute alumni report median earnings of $103,470 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Worcester Polytechnic Institute has an acceptance rate of 60%. Read the full report on Worcester Polytechnic Institute
James Madison University came in at #4 on this year's best-value Systems Science Theory ranking in the United States. James Madison University is a public school based in Harrisonburg, VA. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $69,954 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. James Madison University has an acceptance rate of 72%. See the full James Madison University profile
Out of the 59 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Florida Atlantic University landed the #5 spot. This public school is set in Boca Raton, FL. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical Systems Science Theory student debt is $20,212. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,746 ten years after entry. Set against $20,212 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%. More on Florida Atlantic University
Carnegie Mellon University placed #6 among the best-value Systems Science Theory schools in the United States. Based in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,636 in tuition and fees. Carnegie Mellon University Systems Science Theory students take on a median of $23,250 in debt. Median earnings reach $114,862 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Carnegie Mellon University has an acceptance rate of 12%. Read more about Carnegie Mellon University
Eastern Illinois University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best-value Systems Science Theory schools. Located in Charleston, IL, Eastern Illinois University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. The median Systems Science Theory program debt is $24,293. Median earnings reach $51,989 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted. More on Eastern Illinois University
University Of California Irvine offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. Based in Irvine, CA, University Of California Irvine is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,539 to complete their Systems Science Theory program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $80,735. That is a strong return on a $16,539 median debt. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of California Irvine
Suny At Binghamton came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. Suny At Binghamton is a public school based in Vestal, NY. In-state tuition and fees average $10,567, with out-of-state students paying around $30,447. Typical Systems Science Theory student debt is $20,691. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $80,596. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted. See the full Suny At Binghamton profile
University Of Central Florida placed #10 among the best-value Systems Science Theory schools in the United States. University Of Central Florida is a public school based in Orlando, FL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. The median Systems Science Theory program debt is $21,620. Graduates go on to earn a median of $58,308 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $21,620 median debt. About 40% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on University Of Central Florida
Portland State University came in at #11 in this year's value ranking. Portland State University is a public school based in Portland, OR. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Graduates carry a median of $26,475 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,906. Set against $26,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted. More on Portland State University
Old Dominion University offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. Set in Norfolk, VA, Old Dominion University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,750, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. The median Systems Science Theory program debt is $26,001. Median earnings reach $54,914 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Old Dominion University has an acceptance rate of 90%. Get the full Old Dominion University report
Rice University offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Houston, TX. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Typical Systems Science Theory student debt is $11,904. Median earnings reach $89,718 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%. Read the full report on Rice University
University Of Vermont placed #14 among the best-value Systems Science Theory schools in the United States. Set in Burlington, VT, University Of Vermont is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $19,058, with out-of-state students paying around $45,502. Graduates carry a median of $22,607 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $62,472. That is a strong return on a $22,607 median debt. University Of Vermont admits about 65% of applicants. More on University Of Vermont
University Of Iowa ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Systems Science Theory schools. Based in Iowa City, IA, University Of Iowa is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Typical Systems Science Theory student debt is $24,463. Graduates go on to earn a median of $64,762 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 84% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about University Of Iowa
The University Of Tennessee offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. Located in Knoxville, TN, The University Of Tennessee is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,812 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Typical Systems Science Theory student debt is $22,859. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $60,249. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted. More on The University Of Tennessee
Boston University landed the #16 spot for value in the United States this year. Boston University is a private not-for-profit school based in Boston, MA. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. The median Systems Science Theory program debt is $25,232. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $83,238. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%. More on Boston University
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value Systems Science Theory schools. Located in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $22,113 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $68,758 ten years after entry. Set against $22,113 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina State University At Raleigh has an acceptance rate of 42%. Read the full report on North Carolina State University At Raleigh
La Salle University came in at #19 in this year's value ranking. Based in Philadelphia, PA, La Salle University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $37,800. The median Systems Science Theory program debt is $25,000. La Salle University alumni report median earnings of $67,416 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%. See the full La Salle University profile
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. Based in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical Systems Science Theory student debt is $20,600. Graduates go on to earn a median of $81,054 ten years after entry. Set against $20,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%. Get the full University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign report
Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #21 in this year's value ranking. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public school based in Carbondale, IL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Typical Systems Science Theory student debt is $23,730. Southern Illinois University Carbondale alumni report median earnings of $53,390 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants. See the full Southern Illinois University Carbondale profile
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #21 in this year's value ranking. Based in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. The median Systems Science Theory program debt is $19,137. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor alumni report median earnings of $83,648 a decade after entry. Set against $19,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%. Read the full report on University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
The New School came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,730. The New School Systems Science Theory students take on a median of $24,460 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $52,901. That is a strong return on a $24,460 median debt. The New School has an acceptance rate of 64%. Get the full The New School report
Syracuse University offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. Set in Syracuse, NY, Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,528. Syracuse University Systems Science Theory students take on a median of $26,130 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $79,164. That is a strong return on a $26,130 median debt. About 46% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Syracuse University report
Johnson And Wales University Providence ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best-value Systems Science Theory schools. See the full Johnson And Wales University Providence profile
Arizona State University came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. More on Arizona State University
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Systems Science Theory Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Rutgers University Camden landed the #26 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Rutgers University Camden report
College For Creative Studies ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value Systems Science Theory schools. More on College For Creative Studies
Claremont Mckenna College offered strong value this year, earning the #28 position. Read the full report on Claremont Mckenna College
Savannah College Of Art And Design came in at #29 in this year's value ranking. More on Savannah College Of Art And Design
Capitol College
Capitol College ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best-value Systems Science Theory schools. Read the full report on Capitol College
Minnesota State University Mankato ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best-value Systems Science Theory schools. Read the full report on Minnesota State University Mankato
Arizona State University Skysong ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best-value Systems Science Theory schools. More on Arizona State University Skysong
Stanford University placed #33 among the best-value Systems Science Theory schools in the United States. Get the full Stanford University report
Siena Heights University placed #34 among the best-value Systems Science Theory schools in the United States. Read more about Siena Heights University
Union College New York ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best-value Systems Science Theory schools. Read the full report on Union College New York
Central Wyoming College ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best-value Systems Science Theory schools. Read the full report on Central Wyoming College
North Park University came in at #37 in this year's value ranking. Read more about North Park University
Northeastern University landed the #38 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Northeastern University
School Of Visual Arts placed #39 among the best-value Systems Science Theory schools in the United States. More on School Of Visual Arts
University At Buffalo ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best-value Systems Science Theory schools. See the full University At Buffalo profile
United States Military Academy came in at #41 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on United States Military Academy
University Of Chicago placed #42 among the best-value Systems Science Theory schools in the United States. See the full University Of Chicago profile
Harvard University placed #43 among the best-value Systems Science Theory schools in the United States. Read the full report on Harvard University
Rhode Island School Of Design ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best-value Systems Science Theory schools. More on Rhode Island School Of Design
Belmont Abbey College came in at #45 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Belmont Abbey College
Pitzer College
Pitzer College landed the #46 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Pitzer College
Pennsylvania Western University ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best-value Systems Science Theory schools. Read the full report on Pennsylvania Western University
Suny College At Buffalo ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best-value Systems Science Theory schools. More on Suny College At Buffalo
Kansas State University offered strong value this year, earning the #49 position. Read more about Kansas State University
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #50 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Purdue University Main Campus
Best Value Systems Science Theory Schools by Degree Level
See the best values at each degree level:
- Best Value Systems Science Theory Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Systems Science Theory Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Systems Science Theory Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Systems Science Theory Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Systems Science Theory Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Systems Science Theory Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Systems Science Theory Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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 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).
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