Best Schools for Systems Engineering

Systems Engineering graduates earn a median of $108,104 within four years of graduating, ranking #8 out of 283 tracked majors — 73% above the median across all fields. There are 13 colleges nationwide with tracked earnings for this major, producing 533 recent graduates.

Where you study matters: University of Virginia-Main Campus graduates earn $144,830 while Texas A & M International University graduates earn $60,126 — a $84,704 difference. Factors like location, employer networks, co-op programs, and curriculum focus drive this gap. Across all fields, though, which major you pick separates earnings more than which college does.

Early career salary growth is modest: Systems Engineering graduates see an average 5% increase between year 1 and year 2 post-graduation, reflecting career advancement and skill development in the first years after college.

Schools

$108,104

Avg. 2yr Earnings

of 283 Majors

533

Graduates

Public vs Private: Systems Engineering

Public (10 schools)

$105,431

avg. 2yr earnings

Private (3 schools)

$120,137

avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $14,706 more in early earnings on average for Systems Engineering graduates. Factor in tuition difference to calculate which offers better ROI.

Systems Engineering by State

Top Systems Engineering Schools by Graduate Earnings

University of Virginia-Main Campus

Charlottesville, VA · Public

Massachusetts Maritime Academy

Buzzards Bay, MA · Public

$125,191

4yr Earnings

24 grads · small sample

1yr: $83,288 (18)

Acceptance: 94.5%

University of Florida

Gainesville, FL · Public

George Washington University

Washington, DC · Private

$120,976

4yr Earnings

21 grads · small sample

2yr: $74,576 (13)

1yr: $68,609 (27)

Acceptance: 43.5%

Washington University in St Louis

St. Louis, MO · Private

$119,297

4yr Earnings

21 grads · small sample

2yr: $78,343 (12)

1yr: $73,035 (21)

Acceptance: 12.0%

George Mason University

Fairfax, VA · Public

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL · Public

University of Arizona

Tucson, AZ · Public

Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw, GA · Public

$89,696

4yr Earnings

28 grads · small sample

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Charlotte, NC · Public

Texas A & M International University

Laredo, TX · Public

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA · Private

Maine Maritime Academy

Castine, ME · Public

$63,749

2yr Earnings

19 grads · small sample

1yr: $67,120 (19)

Grads: 19

Acceptance: 61.4%

Majors with Similar Earnings

Petroleum Engineering $74,887 Operations Research $73,589 Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering $72,650 Mining and Mineral Engineering $72,531 Construction Engineering $71,301 Computer Engineering $70,196

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Systems Engineering?

University of Virginia-Main Campus ranks #1 for Systems Engineering with median graduate earnings of $144,830 within four years of graduating. There are 13 schools nationwide offering this major with tracked earnings data.

How much do Systems Engineering graduates earn?

Systems Engineering graduates earn an average of $108,104 within four years of graduating. This is 73% above the median across all majors. Earnings range from $60,126 to $144,830 depending on the school.

How hard is it to get into a top Systems Engineering program?

The average acceptance rate across Systems Engineering programs is 51.7%. The most selective program is at University of Pennsylvania with a 5.9% acceptance rate. Competitive programs value strong math/analytical skills and relevant coursework.

Is a public or private school better for Systems Engineering?

Private Systems Engineering programs average $120,137 in early earnings vs $105,431 at public schools. Private schools lead in earnings, but cost significantly more — calculate net price before deciding.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median 2 years after graduation for bachelor's degree holders, from the field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release — Scorecard publishes the two separately.

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