2026 Best Value Systems Science Theory Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Systems Science Theory master’s degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 59 colleges 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.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor reviewed schools to build 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 Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Leading the list is University Of Alabama At Birmingham, our #1 best-value Systems Science Theory school in the United States. Based 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. Median earnings reach $54,501 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Alabama At Birmingham admits about 88% of applicants. Read more about University Of Alabama At Birmingham
A rank of #2 makes Worcester Polytechnic Institute one of the best values in the United States. 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. Typical Systems Science Theory student debt is $26,259. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $103,470. Set against $26,259 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%. Read more about Worcester Polytechnic Institute
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida Atlantic University earned it the #3 place in the United States. Based in Boca Raton, FL, Florida Atlantic University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,212 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $56,746. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants. Read more about Florida Atlantic University
Out of the 59 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Eastern Illinois University landed the #4 spot. Located in Charleston, IL, Eastern Illinois University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Graduates carry a median of $24,293 in student loans. Eastern Illinois University alumni report median earnings of $51,989 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Eastern Illinois University report
You'll get strong value at Suny At Binghamton, which ranked #5 this year. Based in Vestal, NY, Suny At Binghamton is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,567 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,447. Typical Systems Science Theory student debt is $20,691. Graduates go on to earn a median of $80,596 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $20,691 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%. See the full Suny At Binghamton profile
University Of California Irvine offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. University Of California Irvine is a public school based in Irvine, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. University Of California Irvine Systems Science Theory students take on a median of $16,539 in debt. University Of California Irvine alumni report median earnings of $80,735 a decade after entry. Set against $16,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 29% of those who apply are admitted. See the full University Of California Irvine profile
University Of Central Florida landed the #7 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Orlando, FL, University Of Central Florida is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,620 to complete their Systems Science Theory program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $58,308. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida has an acceptance rate of 40%. Get the full University Of Central Florida report
Portland State University came in at #8 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, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Students borrow a median of $26,475 to complete their Systems Science Theory program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $57,906 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,475 median debt. About 91% of those who apply are admitted. More on Portland State University
Rice University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best-value Systems Science Theory schools. Rice University is a private not-for-profit school based in Houston, TX. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. Rice University Systems Science Theory students take on a median of $11,904 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $89,718 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. Rice University has an acceptance rate of 8%. More on Rice University
University Of Vermont offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. Based in Burlington, VT, University Of Vermont is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,058, with out-of-state students paying around $45,502. The median Systems Science Theory program debt is $22,607. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $62,472. Set against $22,607 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted. Read more about University Of Vermont
Boston University landed the #11 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 run about $68,102. Graduates carry a median of $25,232 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $83,238 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,232 median debt. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants. Get the full Boston University report
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best-value Systems Science Theory schools. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public school based in Raleigh, NC. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $22,113 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $68,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 42% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full North Carolina State University At Raleigh report
Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public school based in Carbondale, IL. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $23,730 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $53,390. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%. Read more about Southern Illinois University Carbondale
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. Located in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor Systems Science Theory students take on a median of $19,137 in debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor alumni report median earnings of $83,648 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $19,137 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor has an acceptance rate of 16%. Read the full report on University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
The New School came in at #15 in this year's value ranking. Located in New York, NY, The New School is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $58,730. Graduates carry a median of $24,460 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,901 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The New School has an acceptance rate of 64%. See the full The New School profile
James Madison University landed the #16 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full James Madison University report
Arizona State University Skysong placed #17 among the best-value Systems Science Theory schools in the United States. See the full Arizona State University Skysong profile
Central Wyoming College placed #18 among the best-value Systems Science Theory schools in the United States. Read more about Central Wyoming College
Union College New York landed the #19 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Union College New York report
Seattle University came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Seattle University
Pennsylvania Western University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best-value Systems Science Theory schools. Read the full report on Pennsylvania Western University
Vanderbilt University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best-value Systems Science Theory schools. Get the full Vanderbilt University report
Siena Heights University offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. More on Siena Heights University
Northeastern University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best-value Systems Science Theory schools. Read more about Northeastern University
Saint Louis University Main Campus landed the #25 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Saint Louis University Main Campus
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Systems Science Theory Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
University Of Iowa offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. Read the full report on University Of Iowa
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value Systems Science Theory schools. Read the full report on Purdue University Main Campus
Northwestern University offered strong value this year, earning the #28 position. Read more about Northwestern University
New York University placed #29 among the best-value Systems Science Theory schools in the United States. Read the full report on New York University
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. More on Carnegie Mellon University
North Park University ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best-value Systems Science Theory schools. See the full North Park University profile
University At Buffalo came in at #32 in this year's value ranking. Read more about University At Buffalo
Pitzer College
Pitzer College offered strong value this year, earning the #33 position. See the full Pitzer College profile
La Salle University came in at #34 in this year's value ranking. More on La Salle University
Johnson And Wales University Providence placed #35 among the best-value Systems Science Theory schools in the United States. Get the full Johnson And Wales University Providence report
Belmont Abbey College landed the #36 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Belmont Abbey College report
School Of Visual Arts came in at #37 in this year's value ranking. Read more about School Of Visual Arts
The University Of Tennessee ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best-value Systems Science Theory schools. Read more about The University Of Tennessee
Minnesota State University Mankato placed #39 among the best-value Systems Science Theory schools in the United States. Read more about Minnesota State University Mankato
Kansas State University came in at #40 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Kansas State University
Arizona State University offered strong value this year, earning the #41 position. Read more about Arizona State University
Nebraska Wesleyan University offered strong value this year, earning the #42 position. Read more about Nebraska Wesleyan University
Stanford University came in at #43 in this year's value ranking. More on Stanford University
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #44 among the best-value Systems Science Theory schools in the United States. Read more about University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Clemson University came in at #45 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Clemson University
Marshall University ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best-value Systems Science Theory schools. More on Marshall University
College For Creative Studies placed #47 among the best-value Systems Science Theory schools in the United States. Get the full College For Creative Studies report
Claremont Mckenna College came in at #48 in this year's value ranking. See the full Claremont Mckenna College profile
Old Dominion University offered strong value this year, earning the #49 position. See the full Old Dominion University profile
United States Military Academy ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best-value Systems Science Theory schools. Read the full report on United States Military Academy
Related Systems Science Theory Value Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Value Systems Science Theory Schools (All Levels)
- 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 Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on 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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