Systems Engineering programs
CIP 1427 · Engineering · ranked by median earnings four years after completion
32 institutions report graduate earnings for Systems Engineering programs (College Scorecard, 2024-25). Across them the median is $137,563 four years after completion, with a typical debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.21× and 98% of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold. Indicatively, all 38 programs with a benchmark clear the earnings-premium benchmark used by the 2025 federal test (effective July 1, 2026).
| # | Institution | Earn 4yr | % > threshold | Median debt | Debt/earn | Earnings premium | 2 of 3 yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyMA · Master's | $227,052 n=62 | 99% 5yr | $44,052 | 0.19× | Above +200% | Clears 2/2 |
| 2 | University of Southern CaliforniaCA · Master's | $178,619 n=25 | 100% 5yr | — | — | Above +137% | — |
| 3 | Georgia Institute of Technology-Main CampusGA · Master's | $168,407 n=24 | 100% 1yr | — | — | Above +167% | — |
| 4 | Southern Methodist UniversityTX · Master's | $163,769 n=22 | 100% 5yr | — | — | Above +150% | Clears 2/2 |
| 5 | Johns Hopkins UniversityMD · Master's | $154,775 n=142 | 100% 5yr | $20,500 | 0.13× | Above +104% | Clears 2/2 |
| 6 | George Washington UniversityDC · Master's | $154,767 n=51 | 96% 5yr | $37,964 | 0.24× | Above +79% | Clears 2/2 |
| 7 | University of Virginia-Main CampusVA · Master's | $152,854 n=29 | 100% 5yr | $37,900 | 0.25× | Above +115% | Clears 2/2 |
| 8 | University of Michigan-Ann ArborMI · Master's | $152,353 n=73 | 100% 5yr | — | — | Above +142% | Clears 2/2 |
| 9 | Florida Institute of TechnologyFL · Master's | $149,291 n=29 | 97% 1yr | — | — | Above +169% | — |
| 10 | Missouri University of Science and TechnologyMO · Master's | $145,788 n=38 | 96% 1yr | — | — | Above +152% | — |
| 11 | Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusPA · Master's | $145,507 n=89 | 99% 5yr | $32,822 | 0.23× | Above +127% | — |
| 12 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Great ValleyPA · Master's | $145,507 n=89 | 99% 5yr | $32,822 | 0.23× | Above +127% | Clears 2/2 |
| 13 | Pennsylvania State University-World CampusPA · Master's | $145,507 n=89 | 99% 5yr | $32,822 | 0.23× | Above +127% | Clears 2/2 |
| 14 | University of Virginia-Main CampusVA · Bachelor's | $144,830 n=59 | 98% 5yr | $19,500 | 0.14× | Above +281% | Clears 2/2 |
| 15 | The University of Texas at DallasTX · Master's | $144,307 n=24 | 96% 1yr | — | — | Above +120% | — |
| 16 | Worcester Polytechnic InstituteMA · Master's | $143,717 n=70 | 98% 5yr | — | — | Above +90% | Clears 2/2 |
| 17 | Cornell UniversityNY · Master's | $142,846 n=81 | 98% 5yr | — | — | Above +101% | Clears 2/2 |
| 18 | University of Maryland Global CampusMD · Master's | $141,618 n=36 | 100% 1yr | $29,778 | 0.21× | Above +87% | — |
| 19 | Stevens Institute of TechnologyNJ · Master's | $137,935 n=90 | 100% 5yr | $16,550 | 0.12× | Above +79% | Clears 2/2 |
| 20 | University of FloridaFL · Master's | $137,191 n=50 | 98% 5yr | $33,850 | 0.25× | Above +147% | Clears 2/2 |
| 21 | George Mason UniversityVA · Master's | $135,210 n=19 | 90% 5yr | — | — | Above +90% | Clears 2/2 |
| 22 | University of ArizonaAZ · Master's | $129,471 n=18 | — | — | — | Above +111% | — |
| 23 | Massachusetts Maritime AcademyMA · Bachelor's | $125,191 n=24 | 93% 1yr | $27,000 | 0.22× | Above +188% | — |
| 24 | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona BeachFL · Master's | $125,093 n=88 | 100% 5yr | $34,021 | 0.27× | Above +125% | Clears 2/2 |
| 25 | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-WorldwideFL · Master's | $125,093 n=88 | 100% 5yr | $34,021 | 0.27× | Above +125% | Clears 2/2 |
| 26 | University of FloridaFL · Bachelor's | $122,299 n=103 | 94% 5yr | $19,750 | 0.16× | Above +262% | Clears 2/2 |
| 27 | George Washington UniversityDC · Bachelor's | $120,976 n=21 | — | $26,000 | 0.21× | Above +235% | — |
| 28 | Washington University in St LouisMO · Bachelor's | $119,297 n=21 | 96% 1yr | $23,139 | 0.19× | Above +234% | — |
| 29 | Northeastern UniversityMA · Master's | $117,700 n=19 | 92% 1yr | — | — | Above +56% | — |
| 30 | Northeastern University Professional ProgramsMA · Master's | $117,700 n=19 | 92% 1yr | — | — | Above +56% | — |
| 31 | George Mason UniversityVA · Bachelor's | $114,815 n=38 | 95% 5yr | $20,500 | 0.18× | Above +202% | Clears 2/2 |
| 32 | The University of Texas at El PasoTX · Master's | $113,173 n=24 | 89% 5yr | — | — | Above +73% | — |
| 33 | Kennesaw State UniversityGA · Master's | $108,404 n=17 | — | — | — | Above +72% | — |
| 34 | University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignIL · Bachelor's | $106,805 n=40 | 93% 1yr | $17,800 | 0.17× | Above +183% | — |
| 35 | University of ArizonaAZ · Bachelor's | $100,468 n=44 | 97% 5yr | $18,500 | 0.18× | Above +173% | Clears 2/2 |
| 36 | Kennesaw State UniversityGA · Bachelor's | $89,696 n=28 | 80% 1yr | $21,571 | 0.24× | Above +154% | — |
| 37 | University of North Carolina at CharlotteNC · Bachelor's | $84,648 n=54 | 86% 5yr | $26,000 | 0.31× | Above +147% | Clears 2/2 |
| 38 | Texas A & M International UniversityTX · Bachelor's | $60,126 n=44 | 60% 1yr | $8,800 | 0.15× | Above +68% | Clears 2/2 |
% > threshold is ED's own share of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold, taken from the best available measurement window (4-, 5- or 1-year) pooled across all nine College Scorecard Field-of-Study releases; a chip marks any figure not on the 4-year window. Earnings premium compares median earnings four years out to the U.S. Census ACS median for a high-school graduate (undergraduate credentials) or bachelor's-degree holder (graduate credentials) in the institution's state. 2 of 3 yrs flags programs below that benchmark in two of the latest three reported cohort-years — the statutory trigger under the 2025 federal earnings-premium test (effective July 1, 2026). Indicative estimates; the Department of Education's official determination may differ. Figures lag the current year by 2–3 years.
| State | Median earn 4yr | Programs |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | $145,507 | 3 |
| Virginia | $140,020 | 4 |
| Texas | $128,740 | 4 |
| Massachusetts | $125,191 | 5 |
| Florida | $125,093 | 5 |
| Georgia | $108,404 | 3 |
States with at least 3 reporting Systems Engineering programs, by median graduate earnings.
Which colleges have the highest-paying Systems Engineering programs?
By median earnings four years after completion, the highest-paying Systems Engineering programs in this dataset are Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($227,052), University of Southern California ($178,619), Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus ($168,407). Earnings reflect College Scorecard field-of-study data (2024-25) and vary by credential level and location.
Are Systems Engineering programs at risk under the federal earnings-premium test?
Indicatively, 0 of the 38 Systems Engineering programs with both earnings and a state/national benchmark have median graduate earnings below the earnings-premium benchmark used by the 2025 federal test (effective July 1, 2026), under which a program can lose Title IV eligibility if its graduates earn less than a typical worker without the credential for 2 of 3 years. This estimate uses College Scorecard earnings vs U.S. Census ACS medians; the Department of Education's official determination uses its own cohort definition and may differ.
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Source: U.S. Department of Education — College Scorecard Field of Study, 2014–15 through 2022–23 cohorts plus the most-recent snapshot (2024-25); threshold pass-rates pooled across all nine releases. Earnings-premium benchmarks from the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS). Compiled by Ibex Insights. See the methodology.