### SUMMARY

 Studying Systems Engineering is a valuable choice and frequently a requisite first step for scholars seeking to enter a career as a senior systems engineer, a staff software engineer, or a senior quality assurance engineer. Interestingly, systems engineering is an uncommon major coming in at the 233rd most popular major. In the last year, there were 834 systems engineering diplomas received. In-state tuition for systems engineering at private schools is, on average, 5.1 times more pricey than their public rivals.

 With just 28 institutions having programs for this degree there could be a more finite list of the institutions that will have an option for you. If you are looking to immerse yourself with other systems engineering undergrads, look at institutions in Virginia which have more undergrads admitted to systems engineering than any other state. More generally, the top region to get a degree in systems engineering is in the Southeast region with [University of Florida](/colleges/university-of-florida), [University of North Carolina at Charlotte](/colleges/university-of-north-carolina-at-charlotte), and [University of Virginia-Main Campus](/colleges/university-of-virginia-main-campus) best representing the region. Interestingly, our selection of the top conference to study systems engineering is the Southeastern Conference with [University of Florida](/colleges/university-of-florida) representing the conference. Based on our extensive list on the [best colleges](/rankings/best-colleges), our belief is that the best school for systems engineering is [University of Pennsylvania](/colleges/university-of-pennsylvania).

 The overall best school does not have to be the best school for every student. There might be tons more perspectives to consider when selecting ​university. Things like campus amenities, transportation services, and food could definitely alter your decision on where to go to college. Here at authority.org, we have weighed the pros and cons for you. If, for example, you are intrigued by which systems engineering university has the top campus, the winner is [University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign](/colleges/university-of-illinois-at-urbana-champaign). If, for example, you are very interested in which university is home to the best campus, we have a whole page [dedicated to that](/rankings/best-college-campuses). We have carefully pored through professor reviews, government databases, student reviews, and more so we can evaluate each major in an unbiased and informative way. You can explore our comprehensive list for the colleges with the [best student life](/rankings/best-student-life)&nbsphere and from that list, our choice for the school with the best student life for systems engineering is [University of Virginia-Main Campus](/colleges/university-of-virginia-main-campus). Curious why? Keep reading to discover more about Authority's top choices. Some of our decisions just might shock you.

 If cost is a major deciding factor in your decisions, you might be cautious about [George Washington University](/colleges/george-washington-university). [George Washington University](/colleges/george-washington-university)&nbspis the most expensive school for systems engineering, at least regarding out of state attendance. We do have an entire list of the [most expensive](/rankings/most-expensive-colleges)&nbspcolleges that might put the price tag of [George Washington University](/colleges/george-washington-university)&nbspinto perspective. For more context, you could be interested to know that systems engineering is the 246th most expensive degree in America, with an average associated cost of $27,400. On a broader scale, the most costly state for systems engineering nationally is District of Columbia demonstrated with a tuition of $54,453 at the main university in the state George Washington University. Even more broadly, the most expensive region for systems engineering is unfortunately unavailable due to missing data.

 Our cheapest region for systems engineering is the New England region which is represented by [Maine Maritime Academy](/colleges/maine-maritime-academy) with a cost of $24,792 and [Massachusetts Maritime Academy](/colleges/massachusetts-maritime-academy) with a cost of $17,570. In better news, the most affordable college for systems engineering is [Texas A & M International University](/colleges/texas-a-m-international-university). Our entire list of the most affordable schools can be explored [here](/rankings/most-affordable-colleges).

 In-state learners can anticipate paying around $10,000 for a degree in systems engineering. The price inflates intensely to an average of $26,500 for an out-of-state public-school student. As such, you might be interested in our selection for the school with the best value for systems engineering: [University of Pennsylvania](/colleges/university-of-pennsylvania). Through this link you can see our comprehensive list of the colleges we believe to be the [best value](/rankings/best-value-colleges)&nbspin general. Bear in mind, this list is based on the assumption that you are an out-of-state student. The value proposition changes when in-state tuition is considered, as such, we are using out-of-state tuition as the baseline.

 Earnings for systems engineering students vary a lot, but two-years after completing the major graduates will often make around $77,800. While there can be a lot of variation in salary; top positions can make up to $116,200. Even straight out of university, the minimum earning opportunities within the systems engineering field make $53,000, which could be worse. The top earning graduates from systems engineering studied at [University of Pennsylvania](/colleges/university-of-pennsylvania)&nbspand if you are looking for colleges with all of the [highest earning graduates](/rankings/highest-earning-graduates), Authority has that too.

 The overall diversity of systems engineering ranks quite high, ranking in the 79th percentile of majors nationally. The college with the highest composite diversity for systems engineering is [University of Pennsylvania](/colleges/university-of-pennsylvania)&nbspand here you can find our comprehensive list for the universities with the [most diversity](/rankings/most-diverse-colleges). The financial diversity of Systems Engineering is only within the 60th percentile compared to all other majors. Racial diversity is actually greater, in the 77th percentile. White collegians compose the largest proportion, 52%, of scholars majoring in systems engineering. Additionally, 69% of undergrads seeking a systems engineering major are men.

 The median rating for systems engineering's professors is 3.7 stars, a ranking that is 7% worse than the average for every major; this is a subpar ranking. If you are looking for the most popular systems engineering professor in the country, look no further than Adam Reed at [University of Nevada-Reno](/colleges/university-of-nevada-reno). It may be a shock, but the highest ranked systems engineering instructors according to students come from [University of Nevada-Reno](/colleges/university-of-nevada-reno). As we including data beyond just rankings it becomes clear that the university possessing the best instructors for systems engineering is [University of Pennsylvania](/colleges/university-of-pennsylvania). You will find an explanation of our evolving ranking methodology of the [best overall professors here](/rankings/best-professors), along with some of the top professors in the country.

 Finally, the hardest university to get into for systems engineering is [University of Pennsylvania](/colleges/university-of-pennsylvania). While we are unsure why you would be interested, we have an extensive page for the [hardest colleges to get into](/rankings/hardest-colleges-to-get-into). That being said, here at Authority we hope you believe that approaching college with a lens primarily derived from superlatives can cause problems. We hope you read our other pages on individual schools and peruse some of Authority's background pages on useful details to look for as your school search develops.



 ### POPULARITY

 Systems engineering is the 233rd most popular degree in America, with 834 students receiving their bachelors degree last year. It just beat out #234 [Multimedia Art](/rankings/best-colleges-for-multimedia-art), and narrowly lost to #232 [Ecology](/rankings/best-colleges-for-ecology).

 The degree is offered at a total of 28 colleges across the nation, and is the 349th most widely offered degree. It is only offered at 6% of the Top 100 [Best Colleges](/rankings/best-colleges) in America.

 It is also worth noting that 68% of colleges offering systems engineering are public making it a quite accessible field.

 The southeast produces the most systems engineering graduates, largely led by [University of Florida](/colleges/university-of-florida), while it’s the Southeastern Conference that leads conference totals. As far as states, Virginia ranks highest, with particular help from [George Mason University](/colleges/george-mason-university) and [University of Virginia-Main Campus](/colleges/university-of-virginia-main-campus).

 All that being said, no individual school produces more systems engineering graduates than [University of South Alabama](/colleges/university-of-south-alabama), which graduated 127 students last year alone. Although size is critical, another important factor to consider is the program’s density (the percent of all students that study systems engineering). More students studied systems engineering as a percentage of total students at [United States Merchant Marine Academy](/colleges/united-states-merchant-marine-academy) than any other college.



 ### COST

 Systems engineering is the 246th most expensive degree in the US, with a median cost of $27,436 amongst the top 50 programs (just ahead of #247, [Systems Science and Theory](rankings/best-colleges-for-systems-science-and-theory), with a median cost of $27,345).

 The Plains have the most expensive schools with high quality systems engineering programs led by [Washington University in St Louis](/colleges/washington-university-in-st-louis) with an annual cost of $54,250. The most expensive state for systems engineering is District of Columbia led by [George Washington University](/colleges/george-washington-university).

 Public schools with good programs typically charge 80.3% less than private schools for in-state students. However, when looking at out-of-state tuition, the median top 50 Public school charges 47.7% less than the median private school. So, if you're trying to find a state school, make sure you're eligible for in-state tuition ASAP.

 The most expensive top 25 college for systems engineering is [George Washington University](/colleges/george-washington-university), which is the 19th most expensive college in the nation. The most affordable option in the top 100 is [United States Merchant Marine Academy](/colleges/united-states-merchant-marine-academy). It costs just $0 per year and is its systems engineering program is ranked #6. Another more affordable choice would be #15, [Texas A & M International University](/colleges/texas-a-m-international-university) in Webb County, TX with a cost of $3,818 for in-state students and $13,946 for out-of-state students.



### SALARY

 Going to college is a large investment for most people. It is important to lack doubt you enlarge your earning potential. We wish for the following job placement and income insights to support you in deciding your focus at college.

 The average Systems Engineering student makes a first year salary of $102,737 per year, making them the 2nd highest earning graduates. Later on in their work lives, they by and large bring home somewhere between $53,018 and $116,157, but average more or less $77,802. To put it in context, that is 2.01 times the United States average.

 The most common job title for a Systems Engineering graduate is Engineer, which typically make about $59,000; next are Software Systems Engineer and Senior Engineer, which often earn around $73,000 and $75,000 respectively.

 The Plains has the best paid Systems Engineering graduates. The highest earning state for Systems Engineering alumni is MO. The highest earning conference for Systems Engineering graduates is University Athletic Association.



### PROFESSORS

 Fast Facts for Systems Engineering: Median Professor Rating: 3.7 / 5, which is below average.

 Professors consistently have a massive influence your college experience, no matter what you study. An effective professor could help a student find their passion and even make a difficult subject seem fun. Contrarily, an unpleasant professor can disenchant you from an entire field or even worse... flunk you!

 Systems Engineering professors have a median student rating of 3.7 out of 5, which puts these professors in the bottom 13% in America based on overall professor effectivness. For context a 3.7 rating is 7.5% below the national median professor rating for all subjects. Professors of Systems Engineering just edged-out those from ["Industrial Management"](/rankings/best-colleges-for-industrial-management), whereas ["Mathematics"](/rankings/best-colleges-for-mathematics)&nbspprofessors ranked one slot above Systems Engineering.

 Now for some statistics about Systems Engineering professors. Colleges located in small suburbs tend to have the best Systems Engineering professors. The Northeast Conference has the highest rated Systems Engineering professors. The Rocky Mountains region has the highest rated Systems Engineering professors. Private universities tend to have higher rated Systems Engineering professors than public colleges. Finally, District of Columbia has the highest rated Systems Engineering professors in the US.

 Adam Reed, professor at [University of Nevada-Reno](/colleges/university-of-nevada-reno)&nbspin Reno, NV is the most popular Systems Engineering professor in America. Robert Makhlouf, instructor at [Porterville College](/colleges/porterville-college)&nbspin Porterville, CA is the highest rated Systems Engineering professor in America, with a rating of 5 / 5.

 Want to know which schools have the [Best Professors](/rankings/best-professors)!



### STUDENTS

 College often is an awfully productive period in one's life; it is a time for individual growth and maturation. Undergraduates attempt to find out what they want to do and cultivate many of the underlying skills to be a prosperous member of society. But growth goes far beyond a classroom environment - the campus dialogue, the wild anecdote received from a tenured instructor, the exposure to a different viewpoint. As such, attending a diverse college vastly enriches what you gain from your time in university.

 Systems Engineering is a more racially diverse subject than average\*. 52% of the nation's Systems Engineering majors are white students, followed by students of other races\*\*(21%), latino students (12%), and asian students (10%). The most racially diverse college\* in the top 100 is [Kennesaw State University](/colleges/kennesaw-state-university) located in Kennesaw, GA.

 In addition, Systems Engineering significatly skews male, with a little under seven tenths of students majoring in Systems Engineering identifying as men. The most gender balanced school in the top 100 is [University of Florida](/colleges/university-of-florida) in Gainesville, FL.

 Another important type of diversity is socioeconomic diversity. Systems Engineering is more socioeconomically diverse than 60% of majors. 30% of its students come from homes with $110,000 plus annual incomes, 17% are from middle income families, and 22% grew up in homes that take home under $30,000 a year. [University of North Carolina at Charlotte](/colleges/university-of-north-carolina-at-charlotte) is the most economically diverse school in the top 100.

 Considering each type of diversity, overall GA is the most diverse state for Systems Engineering. The Mid East is the most diverse region, and the Atlantic Sun Conference is the most diverse conference.

   \* diversity calculations and comparisons are based on [Simpson's Diversity Index](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diversity_index)   
  \*\* other races is used to refer to non asian, black, latino, or white

  #### Diversity Statistics

  ##### Racial Diversity

 * Asian: 10%
* Black: 5%
* Latino: 12%
* White: 52%
* Other: 21%
  ##### Gender Diversity

 * Male: 69%
* Female: 31%
  ##### Socioeconomic Diversity (By Household Income)

 * Under 30k: 22%
* 30k - 48k: 15%
* 48k - 75k: 17%
* 75k - 110k: 16%
* Over 110k: 30%
  ##### Geographic Diversity

 * In State: 65%
* Out of State: 28%
* International: 7%


Washington University in St Louis

University of Virginia-Main Campus

United States Military Academy

University of Pennsylvania

United States Merchant Marine Academy

McLennan Community College

University of Florida

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

DePaul University

George Washington University

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Case Western Reserve University

University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

Stevens Institute of Technology

Maine Maritime Academy

University of Arizona

Providence College

Taylor University

George Mason University

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

College of Charleston

Wayne State University

Texas A & M International University

Oakland University

University of Wyoming

Search for the best Systems Engineering colleges according to your filter parameters.

2023 Systems Engineering Salary

There are about 6,629 students enrolled in Systems Engineering in the USA.

SALARY