Systems Science and Theory: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Systems Science and Theory is an interdisciplinary field dedicated to understanding and addressing complex, real-world challenges through integrated analytical frameworks. By synthesizing insights from diverse domains, this program equips students with the tools to model, evaluate, and optimize systems across dynamic environments.
- Systems Thinking: A foundational approach that views problems as interconnected components within larger structures, emphasizing relationships, feedback loops, and emergent behaviors.
- Modeling and Simulation: The development and application of computational and mathematical models to represent system dynamics and predict outcomes under varying conditions.
- Complex Adaptive Systems: Study of systems that evolve and adapt over time through interactions among their parts, such as ecosystems, economies, and social networks.
- Interdisciplinary Integration: The synthesis of knowledge from natural sciences, social sciences, engineering, behavioral studies, and life sciences to form holistic solutions.
- Data-Driven Analysis: Utilization of empirical data and statistical methods to inform system design, validate models, and support evidence-based decision-making.
- Systems Engineering Principles: Application of structured methodologies to design, manage, and optimize complex systems throughout their lifecycle.
Systems Science and Theory Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Systems Science and Theory Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Systems Science and Theory degrees, including Managers, All Other and Postsecondary Teachers, 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 782,510 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Managers, All Other 11-9199 | $136,550 | $68,860 - $227,590 | 630,980 | $65.65 |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other 25-1199 | $78,490 | $39,720 - $172,850 | 151,530 | N/A |
Salary Comparison
Systems Science and Theory Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $54,280 in Utah to $137,525 in California—a 153% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 782,510 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 Science and Theory by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 43 institutions offering Systems Science and Theory 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 Science and Theory is found at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) (153 graduates), The New School (124 graduates), Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) (102 graduates), Harvard University (82 graduates), and Purdue University (PU), Main Campus (58 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1,061 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) |
Bachelor's
|
153 |
SAT: 1500-1570 ACT: 34-35 |
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | cmu.edu |
| The New School |
Master's
|
124 | N/A | New York, New York | Private | newschool.edu |
| Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
102 |
SAT: 1370-1540 ACT: 30-33 |
Providence, Rhode Island | Private | risd.edu |
| Harvard University |
Master's
|
82 |
SAT: 1500-1580 ACT: 34-36 |
Cambridge, Massachusetts | Private | harvard.edu |
| Purdue University (PU) |
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
|
58 |
SAT: 1190-1460 ACT: 27-34 |
West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdue.edu |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) |
Bachelor's
|
53 |
SAT: 1270-1510 ACT: 29-34 |
Champaign, Illinois | Public | illinois.edu |
| James Madison University (JMU) |
Bachelor's
|
52 |
SAT: 1170-1320 ACT: 25-29 |
Harrisonburg, Virginia | Public | jmu.edu |
| University of Chicago (UChicago) |
Bachelor's
|
47 |
SAT: 1510-1570 ACT: 34-35 |
Chicago, Illinois | Private | uchicago.edu |
| Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
37 |
SAT: 1050-1280 ACT: 21-28 |
Savannah, Georgia | Private | scad.edu |
| North Carolina State University (NC State) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
33 |
SAT: 1300-1460 ACT: 28-32 |
Raleigh, North Carolina | Public | ncsu.edu |
| United States Military Academy (USMA) |
Bachelor's
|
30 |
SAT: 1200-1430 ACT: 28-33 |
West Point, New York | Public | westpoint.edu |
| University of Vermont (UVM) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
27 |
SAT: 1250-1420 ACT: 29-32 |
Burlington, Vermont | Public | uvm.edu |
| Binghamton University |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
25 |
SAT: 1320-1490 ACT: 29-34 |
Vestal, New York | Public | binghamton.edu |
| Claremont McKenna College (CMC) |
Bachelor's
|
24 |
SAT: 1450-1560 ACT: 33-35 |
Claremont, California | Private | cmc.edu |
| University of Central Florida (UCF) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
17 |
SAT: 1190-1350 ACT: 25-29 |
Orlando, Florida | Public | ucf.edu |
| Boston University (BU) |
Master's
|
17 |
SAT: 1400-1520 ACT: 32-34 |
Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bu.edu |
| University at Buffalo (UB) |
Master's
|
17 |
SAT: 1210-1380 ACT: 27-32 |
Buffalo, New York | Public | buffalo.edu |
| University of Iowa |
Bachelor's
|
13 |
SAT: 1130-1320 ACT: 22-28 |
Iowa City, Iowa | Public | uiowa.edu |
| School of Visual Arts (SVA) |
Master's
|
12 |
SAT: 1165-1450 ACT: 21-31 |
New York, New York | Private | sva.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Master's
|
11 | N/A | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| Pennsylvania Western University (PennWest) |
Bachelor's
|
11 |
SAT: 940-1170 ACT: 20-26 |
California, Pennsylvania | Public | pennwest.edu |
| University of Alabama (UAB) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
10 |
SAT: 1130-1400 ACT: 22-30 |
Birmingham, Alabama | Public | uab.edu |
| Marshall University |
Bachelor's
|
10 |
SAT: 890-1130 ACT: 18-24 |
Huntington, West Virginia | Public | marshall.edu |
| Central Wyoming College (CWC) |
Associate's
|
10 | N/A | Riverton, Wyoming | Public | cwc.edu |
| Stanford University |
Bachelor's
|
10 |
SAT: 1510-1580 ACT: 34-35 |
Stanford, California | Private | stanford.edu |
| Northwestern University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
8 |
SAT: 1490-1560 ACT: 33-35 |
Evanston, Illinois | Private | northwestern.edu |
| Vanderbilt University (VU) |
Doctorate (R)
|
8 |
SAT: 1510-1560 ACT: 34-35 |
Nashville, Tennessee | Private | vanderbilt.edu |
| Pitzer College (PZ) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | N/A | Claremont, California | Private | pitzer.edu |
| Eastern Illinois University (EIU) |
Master's
|
7 | SAT: 890-1110 | Charleston, Illinois | Public | eiu.edu |
| University of Michigan (U‑M) |
Post-Master's
|
7 |
SAT: 1350-1530 ACT: 31-34 |
Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | umich.edu |
| Rice University |
Master's
|
7 |
SAT: 1500-1570 ACT: 34-36 |
Houston, Texas | Private | rice.edu |
| The University of Tennessee |
Doctorate (R)
|
6 |
SAT: 1190-1340 ACT: 25-31 |
Knoxville, Tennessee | Public | utk.edu |
| La Salle University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | N/A | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | lasalle.edu |
| Johnson & Wales University |
Master's
|
5 |
SAT: 970-1230 ACT: 20-26 |
Providence, Rhode Island | Private | jwu.edu |
| Northeastern University (NU) |
Doctorate (R)
|
3 |
SAT: 1460-1550 ACT: 33-35 |
Boston, Massachusetts | Private | northeastern.edu |
| Old Dominion University (ODU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 |
SAT: 1110-1290 ACT: 22-27 |
Norfolk, Virginia | Public | odu.edu |
| Scripps College |
Bachelor's
|
2 |
SAT: 1420-1530 ACT: 32-34 |
Claremont, California | Private | scrippscollege.edu |
| Saint Louis University (SLU) |
Doctorate (R)
|
2 |
SAT: 1210-1430 ACT: 26-31 |
Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | slu.edu |
| Nebraska Wesleyan University (NWU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 |
SAT: 1020-1210 ACT: 22-27 |
Lincoln, Nebraska | Private | nebrwesleyan.edu |
| University of California (UCI) |
Doctorate (R)
|
1 | N/A | Irvine, California | Public | uci.edu |
| Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) |
Doctorate (R)
|
1 | N/A | Worcester, Massachusetts | Private | wpi.edu |
| Rutgers University |
Master's
|
1 |
SAT: 1010-1255 ACT: 18-26 |
Camden, New Jersey | Public | camden.rutgers.edu |
| Union College |
Bachelor's
|
1 |
SAT: 1310-1480 ACT: 30-33 |
Schenectady, New York | Private | union.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Systems Science and Theory programs
How much can I earn with a Systems Science and Theory degree?
Salaries for Systems Science and Theory graduates vary by role and location. Managers, All Other earn a median of $136,550 annually, while Postsecondary Teachers, All Other earn around $78,490. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $137,525 compared to $54,280 in Utah. Approximately 782,510 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 Science and Theory programs?
Currently 43 accredited institutions offer Systems Science and Theory degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) (153 graduates), The New School (124 graduates), and Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) (102 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 Science and Theory growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 382 in 2010 to 1,061 in 2023-24. This represents a 178% 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 Science and Theory degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Managers, All Other, Postsecondary Teachers, All Other, . Related occupations employ approximately 782,510 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.
Related Interdisciplinary Programs
Explore similar degree programs within the Interdisciplinary field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.
Intercultural and Diversity Studies
A program that focuses on the dynamic social relations between and among majority and minority groups and different minority groups, and ways to...
Cognitive Science
A program that focuses on the study of the mind and the nature of intelligence from the interdisciplinary perspectives of computer science, philosophy,...
Contemplative Studies
A program that focuses on the philosophical, psychological, and scientific bases of human contemplative experience. Includes instruction in cognitive science, meditation, mindfulness, neuroscience,...
Cultural Studies and Critical Theory
An interdisciplinary program that focuses on the analysis and critique of culture in its varied forms, including values, ideas, belief systems, and expressive...
Human Biology
An interdisciplinary program that focuses on understanding the human being from the biological, social science, and humanities perspectives and that addresses contemporary issues...
Dispute Resolution
A program that provides individuals with skills in negotiation, mediation, and arbitration, that can be applied to resolve disputes in a variety of...
Found something useful? Help others discover it too! Share with friends, on social media, or save for later - every share helps someone find the information they need.