Systems Engineering: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Systems Engineering is a multidisciplinary field focused on designing, developing, and evaluating complex systems that meet real-world challenges across industries such as aerospace, defense, transportation, healthcare, and information technology. It emphasizes a holistic approach to problem-solving by integrating technical, human, and organizational components into cohesive, efficient, and sustainable solutions.
- Systems Thinking: A foundational mindset that views problems as interconnected parts of a larger whole, enabling engineers to anticipate interactions and long-term impacts across system components.
- Requirements Analysis: The process of identifying, documenting, and validating functional and non-functional needs to ensure systems meet user expectations and operational goals.
- Modeling and Simulation: The use of mathematical and computational tools to represent system behavior under various conditions, supporting design optimization and risk assessment.
- Systems Integration: The technical and managerial discipline of combining individual subsystems into a unified, interoperable system while maintaining performance and reliability.
- Life Cycle Management: The strategic oversight of a system from concept and design through deployment, maintenance, and eventual retirement to maximize efficiency and value.
- Risk and Reliability Engineering: Techniques for identifying potential failure points, assessing system vulnerabilities, and implementing measures to enhance safety and operational continuity.
- Human Factors and Ergonomics: The study of human-system interactions to design systems that are intuitive, safe, and effective from a user experience perspective.
- Decision Analysis and Optimization: Advanced analytical methods used to evaluate alternatives, allocate resources, and determine optimal system configurations under constraints.
Systems Engineering Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Systems Engineering Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Systems Engineering degrees, including Architectural and Engineering Managers, Database Architects and Engineers, All Other. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 816,000 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Engineering Managers 11-9041 | $167,740 | $111,450 - $239,200 | 210,340 | $80.64 |
| Database Architects 15-1243 | $135,980 | $81,630 - $209,990 | 64,770 | $65.37 |
| Engineers, All Other 17-2199 | $117,750 | $62,840 - $183,510 | 150,750 | $56.61 |
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1032 | $106,120 | $59,790 - $200,650 | 39,910 | N/A |
| Industrial Engineers 17-2112 | $101,140 | $70,000 - $157,140 | 350,230 | $48.63 |
Salary Comparison
Systems Engineering Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $101,542 in Arkansas to $148,396 in California—a 46% difference. The highest-paying states include California, District of Columbia, and New Mexico. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 816,000 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Systems Engineering by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 98 institutions offering Systems Engineering programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Systems Engineering is found at University of Florida (UF) (499 graduates), Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) (351 graduates), Stevens Institute of Technology (271 graduates), Johns Hopkins University (JHU) (242 graduates), and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) (204 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 3,956 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Admissions | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Florida (UF) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
Residency
|
499 |
SAT: 1300-1480 ACT: 28-33 |
Gainesville, Florida | Public | ufl.edu |
| Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
351 | N/A | Monterey, California | Public | nps.edu |
| Stevens Institute of Technology |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
271 |
SAT: 1370-1500 ACT: 31-34 |
Hoboken, New Jersey | Private | stevens.edu |
| Johns Hopkins University (JHU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
242 |
SAT: 1530-1580 ACT: 34-35 |
Baltimore, Maryland | Private | jhu.edu |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
204 |
SAT: 1510-1580 ACT: 34-36 |
Cambridge, Massachusetts | Private | web.mit.edu |
| Cornell University |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
129 |
SAT: 1480-1560 ACT: 33-35 |
Ithaca, New York | Private | cornell.edu |
| University of Virginia (UVA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
117 |
SAT: 1410-1530 ACT: 32-34 |
Charlottesville, Virginia | Public | virginia.edu |
| University of Michigan (U‑M) |
Master's
|
109 |
SAT: 1350-1530 ACT: 31-34 |
Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | umich.edu |
| George Washington University (GW) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
96 |
SAT: 1350-1500 ACT: 31-34 |
Washington, District of Columbia | Private | gwu.edu |
| University of Pennsylvania (Penn) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
88 |
SAT: 1500-1570 ACT: 34-35 |
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | upenn.edu |
| Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
87 | N/A | Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio | Public | afit.edu |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
78 |
SAT: 1070-1260 ACT: 24-32 |
Daytona Beach, Florida | Private | worldwide.erau.edu |
| Colorado School of Mines |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
77 |
SAT: 1320-1470 ACT: 29-33 |
Golden, Colorado | Public | mines.edu |
| University of Denver (DU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
72 |
SAT: 1240-1410 ACT: 29-32 |
Denver, Colorado | Private | du.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
72 |
SAT: 1170-1410 ACT: 25-32 |
Richardson, Texas | Public | utdallas.edu |
| University of Arizona |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
70 |
SAT: 1160-1420 ACT: 21-30 |
Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) |
Bachelor's
|
67 |
SAT: 1250-1450 ACT: 26-33 |
USAF Academy, Colorado | Public | usafa.edu |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
65 |
SAT: 1270-1510 ACT: 29-34 |
Champaign, Illinois | Public | illinois.edu |
| United States Military Academy (USMA) |
Bachelor's
|
62 |
SAT: 1200-1430 ACT: 28-33 |
West Point, New York | Public | westpoint.edu |
| University of Houston (UH) |
Master's
|
56 |
SAT: 1150-1330 ACT: 23-28 |
Houston, Texas | Public | uh.edu |
| Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
48 | N/A | Worcester, Massachusetts | Private | wpi.edu |
| Northeastern University (NU) |
Master's
|
47 |
SAT: 1460-1550 ACT: 33-35 |
Boston, Massachusetts | Private | northeastern.edu |
| Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
46 |
SAT: 1150-1378 ACT: 25-31 |
Rolla, Missouri | Public | mst.edu |
| George Mason University |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
44 |
SAT: 1140-1340 ACT: 25-30 |
Fairfax, Virginia | Public | www2.gmu.edu |
| Kennesaw State University (KSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
43 |
SAT: 1020-1220 ACT: 19-25 |
Kennesaw, Georgia | Public | kennesaw.edu |
| Washington University in St Louis (WashU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
41 |
SAT: 1500-1570 ACT: 33-35 |
Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | wustl.edu |
| Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) |
Master's
|
40 |
SAT: 1330-1530 ACT: 28-34 |
Atlanta, Georgia | Public | gatech.edu |
| Colorado State University (CSU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
Doctorate (P)
|
39 | N/A | Fort Collins, Colorado | Public | colostate.edu |
| The University of Texas (UTEP) |
Master's
|
38 |
SAT: 870-1090 ACT: 17-23 |
El Paso, Texas | Public | utep.edu |
| United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) |
Bachelor's
|
36 |
SAT: 1140-1300 ACT: 23-29 |
Kings Point, New York | Public | usmma.edu |
| Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech) |
Master's
|
35 |
SAT: 1130-1320 ACT: 23-28 |
Melbourne, Florida | Private | fit.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Master's
|
35 |
SAT: 1100-1340 ACT: 18-30 |
University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | worldcampus.psu.edu |
| Wichita State University (WSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
33 |
SAT: 970-1250 ACT: 18-26 |
Wichita, Kansas | Public | wichita.edu |
| University of California (UCSD) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
31 | N/A | La Jolla, California | Public | ucsd.edu |
| Florida State University (FSU) |
Master's
|
31 |
SAT: 1240-1390 ACT: 27-31 |
Tallahassee, Florida | Public | fsu.edu |
| Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
29 |
SAT: 1330-1500 ACT: 30-34 |
Troy, New York | Private | rpi.edu |
| Texas A & M International University (TAMIU) |
Bachelor's
|
27 |
SAT: 920-1130 ACT: 16-20 |
Laredo, Texas | Public | tamiu.edu |
| Drexel University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
25 |
SAT: 1230-1430 ACT: 27-33 |
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | drexel.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
24 |
SAT: 1440-1550 ACT: 32-35 |
Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte |
Bachelor's
|
24 |
SAT: 1110-1320 ACT: 21-27 |
Charlotte, North Carolina | Public | charlotte.edu |
| Boston University (BU) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
23 |
SAT: 1400-1520 ACT: 32-34 |
Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bu.edu |
| Texas Tech University (TTU) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
23 |
SAT: 1090-1270 ACT: 22-28 |
Lubbock, Texas | Public | ttu.edu |
| University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) |
Postbac Cert.
|
19 |
SAT: 1020-1260 ACT: 22-28 |
Detroit, Michigan | Private | udmercy.edu |
| University of Michigan |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
19 |
SAT: 990-1260 ACT: 23-30 |
Dearborn, Michigan | Public | umdearborn.edu |
| Southern Methodist University (SMU) |
Master's
|
17 |
SAT: 1320-1480 ACT: 30-34 |
Dallas, Texas | Private | smu.edu |
| University of Utah (U of U) |
Postbac Cert.
|
17 |
SAT: 1180-1398 ACT: 22-29 |
Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | utah.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison |
Master's
Other Award
|
16 |
SAT: 1360-1510 ACT: 28-32 |
Madison, Wisconsin | Public | wisc.edu |
| University of Louisiana (UL Lafayette) |
Doctorate (R)
|
14 |
SAT: 1120-1255 ACT: 23-27 |
Lafayette, Louisiana | Public | louisiana.edu |
| University of Dayton (UD) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
14 |
SAT: 1195-1370 ACT: 26-31 |
Dayton, Ohio | Private | udayton.edu |
| ECPI University (ECPI) |
Master's
|
14 | N/A | Virginia Beach, Virginia | Private | ecpi.edu |
| California State University (CSUDH) |
Master's
|
13 | N/A | Carson, California | Public | csudh.edu |
| Loyola Marymount University (LMU) |
Master's
|
12 | N/A | Los Angeles, California | Private | lmu.edu |
| University of Maryland (UMBC) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
11 |
SAT: 1220-1410 ACT: 23-30 |
Baltimore, Maryland | Public | umbc.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
9 | N/A | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| California State Polytechnic University (CPP) |
Master's
|
9 | N/A | Pomona, California | Public | cpp.edu |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) |
Master's
|
9 |
SAT: 1140-1350 ACT: 24-30 |
Daytona Beach, Florida | Private | daytonabeach.erau.edu |
| Iowa State University (ISU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
9 |
SAT: 1110-1350 ACT: 21-28 |
Ames, Iowa | Public | iastate.edu |
| Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
9 |
SAT: 1430-1540 ACT: 32-35 |
Cleveland, Ohio | Private | case.edu |
| Portland State University (PSU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
9 | N/A | Portland, Oregon | Public | pdx.edu |
| Marquette University |
Postbac Cert.
|
9 |
SAT: 1190-1360 ACT: 26-31 |
Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Private | marquette.edu |
| University of South Alabama (USA) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
8 |
SAT: 1015-1200 ACT: 19-26 |
Mobile, Alabama | Public | southalabama.edu |
| University of Central Florida (UCF) |
Master's
|
8 |
SAT: 1190-1350 ACT: 25-29 |
Orlando, Florida | Public | ucf.edu |
| New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) |
Master's
|
8 |
SAT: 1210-1470 ACT: 25-32 |
Newark, New Jersey | Public | njit.edu |
| Rutgers University |
Master's
|
8 |
SAT: 1270-1480 ACT: 28-33 |
New Brunswick, New Jersey | Public | newbrunswick.rutgers.edu |
| Weber State University (WSU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Other Award
|
8 | N/A | Ogden, Utah | Public | weber.edu |
| Maine Maritime Academy (MMA) |
Bachelor's
|
7 |
SAT: 1070-1270 ACT: 23-30 |
Castine, Maine | Public | mainemaritime.edu |
| University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) |
Postbac Cert.
|
7 | N/A | Adelphi, Maryland | Public | umgc.edu |
| University of St Thomas |
Master's
|
7 |
SAT: 1223-1416 ACT: 25-30 |
Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | stthomas.edu |
| California Institute of Technology (Caltech) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
6 | N/A | Pasadena, California | Private | caltech.edu |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) |
Bachelor's
|
6 |
SAT: 1020-1240 ACT: 21-28 |
Colorado Springs, Colorado | Public | uccs.edu |
| Florida International University (FIU) |
Master's
|
6 |
SAT: 1060-1250 ACT: 20-26 |
Miami, Florida | Public | fiu.edu |
| Oakland University (OU) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
6 | SAT: 995-1185 | Rochester Hills, Michigan | Public | oakland.edu |
| Duke University |
Master's
|
6 |
SAT: 1510-1570 ACT: 34-35 |
Durham, North Carolina | Private | duke.edu |
| Bowling Green State University (BGSU) |
Master's
|
6 |
SAT: 1020-1230 ACT: 20-26 |
Bowling Green, Ohio | Public | bgsu.edu |
| Otterbein University |
Bachelor's
|
6 | ACT: 23-28 | Westerville, Ohio | Private | otterbein.edu |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) |
Master's
|
6 |
SAT: 1240-1420 ACT: 27-32 |
Blacksburg, Virginia | Public | vt.edu |
| New Mexico State University (NMSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
4 |
SAT: 885-1110 ACT: 17-24 |
Las Cruces, New Mexico | Public | nmsu.edu |
| College of Charleston (CofC) |
Bachelor's
|
4 |
SAT: 1130-1300 ACT: 24-29 |
Charleston, South Carolina | Public | cofc.edu |
| University of Connecticut (UConn) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 |
SAT: 1210-1420 ACT: 29-33 |
Storrs, Connecticut | Public | uconn.edu |
| Lawrence Technological University (LTU) |
Master's
|
3 | N/A | Southfield, Michigan | Private | ltu.edu |
| Binghamton University |
Post-Master's
|
3 |
SAT: 1320-1490 ACT: 29-34 |
Vestal, New York | Public | binghamton.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Master's
|
3 | N/A | Malvern, Pennsylvania | Public | greatvalley.psu.edu |
| Old Dominion University (ODU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 |
SAT: 1110-1290 ACT: 22-27 |
Norfolk, Virginia | Public | odu.edu |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) |
Bachelor's
|
2 |
SAT: 880-1110 ACT: 17-23 |
Denver, Colorado | Public | msudenver.edu |
| Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) |
Master's
|
2 |
SAT: 1030-1150 ACT: 20-24 |
Tallahassee, Florida | Public | famu.edu |
| Indiana University (IU Indianapolis) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 |
SAT: 1040-1230 ACT: 21-28 |
Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | indianapolis.iu.edu |
| Morehead State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | N/A | Morehead, Kentucky | Public | moreheadstate.edu |
| Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) |
Bachelor's
|
2 |
SAT: 850-1030 ACT: 16-21 |
Cape Girardeau, Missouri | Public | semo.edu |
| University of Houston (UHCL) |
Master's
|
2 |
SAT: 990-1170 ACT: 18-23 |
Houston, Texas | Public | uhcl.edu |
| Idaho State University (ISU) |
Master's
|
1 | N/A | Pocatello, Idaho | Public | isu.edu |
| DePaul University |
Bachelor's
|
1 |
SAT: 1130-1340 ACT: 26-31 |
Chicago, Illinois | Private | depaul.edu |
| Capitol Technology University |
Master's
|
1 | N/A | Laurel, Maryland | Private | captechu.edu |
| University of Maryland (UMCP) |
Master's
|
1 |
SAT: 1370-1520 ACT: 32-35 |
College Park, Maryland | Public | umd.edu |
| University of North Dakota (UND) |
Master's
|
1 | N/A | Grand Forks, North Dakota | Public | und.edu |
| University of Pittsburgh |
Other Award
|
1 |
SAT: 1270-1450 ACT: 29-33 |
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | pitt.edu |
| Citadel Military College of South Carolina |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 |
SAT: 1080-1250 ACT: 22-26 |
Charleston, South Carolina | Public | citadel.edu |
| St. Mary's University |
Master's
|
1 |
SAT: 980-1150 ACT: 16-23 |
San Antonio, Texas | Private | stmarytx.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Master's
|
1 |
SAT: 1140-1380 ACT: 25-31 |
College Station, Texas | Public | tamu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Systems Engineering programs
How much can I earn with a Systems Engineering degree?
Salaries for Systems Engineering graduates vary by role and location. Architectural and Engineering Managers earn a median of $167,740 annually, while Database Architects earn around $135,980. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $148,396 compared to $101,542 in Arkansas. Approximately 816,000 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Systems Engineering programs?
Currently 98 accredited institutions offer Systems Engineering degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Florida (UF) (499 graduates), Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) (351 graduates), and Stevens Institute of Technology (271 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Systems Engineering growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 2,719 in 2010 to 3,956 in 2023-24. This represents a 45% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Systems Engineering degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Architectural and Engineering Managers, Database Architects, and Engineers, All Other. Related occupations employ approximately 816,000 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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