Systems Engineering
Total graduates
3,282
2025 · 86 schools
International share
24.0%
789 international students
Bachelor's degrees
685
6.3% international
Master's degrees
2,438
27.7% international
Overview
Systems Engineering is an interdisciplinary field that focuses on the design, integration, and management of complex systems over their life cycles. It combines principles from various engineering disciplines, including mechanical, electrical, software, and industrial engineering, to ensure that all components of a system work together effectively and efficiently.
The primary objective of systems engineering is to optimize the system's performance while balancing various constraints such as cost, schedule, and quality. Systems engineers employ a holistic approach, taking into account the interactions between different subsystems and the environment in which the system operates. This includes requirements analysis, system architecture design, risk management, and verification and validation processes.
In practice, systems engineering is widely applied in industries such as aerospace, automotive, defense, telecommunications, and healthcare, where the complexity of projects requires a structured approach to ensure successful outcomes. Systems engineers often work in teams, collaborating with stakeholders to define requirements and ensure that the final product meets user needs.
Education in systems engineering typically includes coursework in project management, systems modeling, optimization techniques, and reliability engineering, along with hands-on projects that allow students to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios. Graduates of systems engineering programs are well-equipped for careers as systems analysts, project managers, or in roles that require a deep understanding of how various components and processes integrate within larger systems, making them valuable assets in today's technology-driven environment.
Graduates by year
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
From 2002 to 2025, graduates grew 190% and the international share went from 15.8% to 24.0%.
Colleges that award this degree
In 2025, 86 schools awarded this degree as a first major. The table lists those in the 2027 U.S. News National or Liberal Arts rankings, plus the unranked schools with the most graduates.
Purple: international students are 25% or more of the school's graduates.
Related jobs and pay
| Occupation | US employment | Mean hourly wage | Mean annual wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineers | 365,740 | $52.84 | $109,900 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 220,260 | $87.28 | $181,540 |
| Engineers, All Other | 154,070 | $60.26 | $125,330 |
| Database Architects | 67,140 | $69.44 | $144,440 |
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | 40,270 | — | $124,520 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Graduate counts: IPEDS Completions, US Department of Education, 2002–2025. Rankings: 2027 U.S. News.