Systems Engineering
What graduates really earn, where the degree pays off most, and whether the numbers add up for you.
Earnings Range (4 Years After Graduation)
Best Schools for Systems Engineering by Earnings
| # | School | 4yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Virginia-Main Campus VA · Public | $144,830 |
| 2 | Massachusetts Maritime Academy MA · Public | $125,191 |
| 3 | University of Florida FL · Public | $122,299 |
| 4 | George Washington University DC · Private | $120,976 |
| 5 | Washington University in St Louis MO · Private | $119,297 |
| 6 | George Mason University VA · Public | $114,815 |
| 7 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign IL · Public | $106,805 |
| 8 | University of Arizona AZ · Public | $100,468 |
| 9 | Kennesaw State University GA · Public | $89,696 |
| 10 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte NC · Public | $84,648 |
| 11 | Texas A & M International University TX · Public | $60,126 |
Is Systems Engineering Worth It?
The Numbers Support This Major
If you're weighing Systems Engineering, the money case is about as strong as it gets. Graduates average $79,009 four years out, well above the typical major, so the degree tends to pay for itself fast. The harder question here isn't whether it's worth it - it's where you study it.
This is a more specialized field, offered at 12 schools in our data. Fewer options means less room to optimize on cost, so weigh each aid offer closely.
The top earner here is George Washington University, where graduates pull $120,976 four years out. But an average hides a wide spread - where you go, and what you do with the degree, matter as much as the major itself.
Earnings data represents median earnings 4 years after graduation for graduates of bachelor's programs, as reported by the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Individual outcomes vary significantly based on career path, location, and other factors.