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Overview of Systems Engineering

Systems engineering is responsible for the management and design of long term engineering and manufacturing goals, including the gathering and distribution of resources. Systems engineers are responsible for a large number of aspects related to a given project, such as team communication, risk management, operations, logistics, and optimization.

Career Summary

MEDIAN SALARY

$79,700

PERCENT ABOVE NATIONAL
INCOME AVERAGE

53.50%

TOTAL SECTOR EMPLOYMENT

382,600

Degree Median Salary vs Adjacent Degree Types

Source: BLS, US Census, and IPEDS

2024 Best Systems Engineering Degree

Massachusetts Institute of Technology has an unparalleled history of blending rigorous academic research with real-world action. Their System Design & Management continues to make history with its ground-breaking master’s program which fuses the best thinking from MIT’s School of Engineering and Sloan School of Management. Their graduates were all prepared to face the world’s most complex challenges. They were trained to meet challenges with visionary thinking, leadership, and a portfolio of methods for analyzing, designing, and integrating complex systems.

Acceptance Rate

6.7

Student to Faculty Ratio

3:1

The University of Pennsylvania currently offers a MS in Systems Engineering. This program is grounded in the intersection of electrical and systems engineering. University of Pennsylvania is best positioned to give students the in-depth theoretical foundation and the skills required by the growing complexity of technological systems. Flexible curriculum is provided so that students can tailor their studies according to their personal processes and decision sciences.

Acceptance Rate

7.66

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

California Institute of Technology offers two different Certificate programs and a short course in Systems Engineering. First is the Systems Engineering Fundamentals Certificate, this is designed to provide the key skills and knowledge that is vital for successful systems engineering in today’s fast-paced environment. Second, the Advanced Systems Engineering Certificate, this program focuses on coaching participants in applying proven methods for ensuring cost-effective and robust designs which meet stringent functional performance under realistic constraints. Lastly, the Systems Engineering short course, this comprehensively covers the field of systems engineering in the aerospace and defense industry. 

Acceptance Rate

6.42

Student to Faculty Ratio

3:1

Graduates of PhD in Systems Engineering at Cornell University found employment in a variety of fields, including academia and public, healthcare, aerospace, policy making, etc. They also offer MS Degree in Systems where students pursue methodologies which are relevant for planning, optimizing and executing multi-disciplinary solution efforts for design and operational problems in business, social sciences, and in engineering. To see the other graduate programs in systems engineering that they offer, you may visit here https://www.systemseng.cornell.edu/se .

Acceptance Rate

10.85

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

A Bachelor of Science degree in Systems Engineering is currently available at Washington University in St Louis. This program teaches how to integrate different components in engineering systems. This is considered to be the most flexible professional program in the McKelvey School of Engineering. This program is best suited for students who are strong in math and physics, interested in engineering and business, and interested in a second degree.

Acceptance Rate

13.85

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

The online master’s in Systems Engineering that is currently offered at Johns Hopkins University ranked #3 in the industrial engineering category by US News and World Report. Students in this program are provided with the ability to imagine complex products, processes and services at the same time leverage a systems approach. The instructors they’ll meet here are leading practitioners in the field of systems engineering and incorporate problem-solving activities and case studies into discussion topics. Students who complete this program gain in-depth knowledge and skills in the field of systems engineering and systems of systems.

Acceptance Rate

11.17

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

The University of Southern California offers a MS in Industrial & Systems Engineering major. This is ideal for engineers and related technical professionals that aspire to achieve the highest levels of responsibility and leadership in the workplace. Participants in this program are broadly educated in all aspects of technical enterprises. This is an excellent preparation for industrial engineering program graduates who wish to acquire substantial depth with respect to industrial engineering methods and the theory of the firm.

Acceptance Rate

11.42

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

BS degree in Systems Engineering is currently offered at the University of Virginia. This program places graduates at the center of the data revolution. This program is structured to equip students with the technical skills in areas like visualization, business analytics and optimization that are all critical to decision-making. Students will also be trained to obtain leadership and communications skills to direct efforts to design and improve large-scale systems.

Acceptance Rate

23.94

Student to Faculty Ratio

15:1

Systems Engineering + Design degree can be taken on-campus or online at the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor. This degree is designed to enhance careers in requirements management, systems architecting, risk management, etc. This program gives emphasis on Human-Centered Engineering, Lean Systems Engineering, and Risk Management. Students who completed this program have gone to careers leading multidisciplinary engineering teams at global organizations.

Acceptance Rate

22.91

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

A Computer Systems Engineering with a concentration in Systems Engineering is currently available at Northeastern University. They designed this program to take a sociotechnical, engineering approach to software. This is also structured to enable students to embrace real-world complexity as a golden opportunity. They are devoted to shaping their students into an intuitive problem solver that will make them a leader that creates great impact.

Acceptance Rate

18.05

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

The online Master’s in Applied Systems Engineering is currently offered at Georgia Institute of Technology. This program is designed to elevate your career through learning from top engineers and researchers in the field. These are all made possible without interrupting your career. This two=year applied systems engineering program provides its applicants the knowledge and experience that are needed to surge forward in their career.

Acceptance Rate

20.58

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

A cross-disciplinary program in Systems Engineering is available at Boston University. This program integrates courses from Engineering, Mathematics, Management, and Computer Science. Students under this program are given the access in these units’ state-of-the-art computational and experimental facilities. Students are guaranteed to be equipped with unique skills to adapt their knowledge and expertise to diverse application domains.

Acceptance Rate

18.94

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

West Point Department’s Systems Engineering at the United States Military Academy strives to educate, develop, and inspire leaders of character who formulate, and solve complex engineering and socio-technical problems faced by the Army and Nation. They utilize an interdisciplinary, integrative approach which applies engineering design, mathematical modeling, decision science and project management. Through the courses they provide, cadets were able to develop an understanding of how engineering concepts, management issues and technology-laden organizations are applied. Their programs have frameworks that develop executive-level skills at the undergraduate level.

Acceptance Rate

12.03

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

New York University's main campus is located in Greenwich Village. It is a private, non-sectarian, research university and the largest non-profit institution of higher learning in the US. Study abroad facilities are located in a wide variety of countries around the globe. New sites are planned for Abu Dhabi in 2010 and Washington DC in 2012.

History

New York University was established on April 18, 1831 by bankers, merchants and traders in order to provide young men with a higher education. They were to be admitted on merit alone, with no focus on social status or birthright.

On April 12, 1831, the New York State Legislature gave the school its charter and it was incorporated as the University of the City of New York. The name was changed to New York University in 1896 by popular demand. The first students were welcomed in 1832 and attended classes in rented rooms of Clinton Hall.

Academics

New York University is ranked 22nd of the world's top universities by the Global University Ranking. It is made up of 16 colleges, institutions and schools. When the university was founded, the only school was the College of Arts and Science.

Undergraduate schools include:

  • Education of Human Development
  • Gallatin School of Individualized Study
  • School of Social Work
  • Stunhardt School of Culture
  • Polytechnic Institute of New York University
  • Stern School of Business
  • Tisch School of Arts

Postgraduate schools include:

  • Institute of Fine Arts
  • College of Nursing
  • College of Dentistry
  • Institute of Study of the Ancient World
  • School of Law
  • Courant School of Mathematical Sciences
  • School of Medicine
  • School of Continuing and Professional Studies
  • Graduate School of Arts and Science
  • Wagner Graduate School of Public Service

New York University is the only private university in the US with two medical schools, as it also awards the degrees for Mount Sinai School of Medicine.

Campuses

New York State University's buildings are situated on approximately 229 acres between 14th Street in the north, Broadway on the east, Avenue of the Americas to the west and Houston Street to the south. Washington Square Park is the core of New York University's buildings and has been since 1970. The Washington Square Arch is the unofficial symbol of the University.

During the 1990s, New York University became a double square university when a second community was established around Union Square. Other campuses and facilities include but are not limited to:

  • Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine
  • New York University Medical Center
  • Belleview Hospital Center

Athletics

New York University's sports teams are known as the Violets. Their colors are violet and white. Dictated by geography and history, Columbia University are their rival. The University's team mascot is the bobcat. Most of New York University's sport teams participate in the University Athletic Association and the NCAA's Division III.

Student Life

The governing student body at New York University is the Student Senators Council. The University has more than 350 clubs and organizations for students on campus. These include fraternities, sororities, sports teams and those that focus on arts, culture and entertainment.

New York University first formed a Greek community in 1837. Greek  life at New York University is governed by four boards.

Community Life

New York is known as The City That Never Sleeps and there is much to see and do. Take in a festival, enjoy nightlife, enjoy a Broadway show or visit Rockefeller Center or Central Park.

There are an abundance of free venues, such as Central Park Stage, Brooklyn Museum, BB King Blues Club and Grill, Studio Museum of Harlem, Museum of Modern Art and Whitney Museum. Be sure to check times for free admission and also check out other free venues. There's something for everyone in New York City.

Acceptance Rate

16.2

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

Students learn how to make effective teams out of multidisciplinary resources through the Systems Engineering degree that is currently offered at the University of California – San Diego. This program is designed to help students develop skills in planning and executing various phases of a project. They will be provided with systematic methodologies so they’ll obtain efficient design and production. Students will learn how to improve system maintainability, reliability, and availability. They will also come to know the importance of applied logistics and support strategies.

Acceptance Rate

31.48

Student to Faculty Ratio

19:1

A major in Industrial and Systems Engineering is available at the University of Florida. This major is designed to prepare students for industrial practice in product design, plan operation, quality control, production control, work system analysis, and economic analysis of operational systems. Majors are prepared to use engineering principles in solving problems that need quantitative basis for decision making. The curriculum will also provide the preparation that is essential for a graduate study.

Acceptance Rate

36.58

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

Worcester Polytechnic Institute is currently offering a degree in Systems Engineering. This program is a combination of courses in Science, Engineering, and Management. This is the best program for professionals who want to prepare for challenging careers in Systems Engineering. The program’s approach focuses on a hands-on, practical, applied, project-based curriculum that is taught by instructors that have actually practiced real-world Systems Engineering for decades.

Acceptance Rate

49.37

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

A top rated Systems Engineering degree program is currently offered at the University of Maryland – College Park. In this program you can learn how to develop tools for systems problems in a variety of technical areas. This program is an excellent way to prepare professional engineers to coordinate the planning, development and creation of systems in fields like telecommunications, robotics, and more. To see more detailed information about this program you may visit the school website today.

Acceptance Rate

44.18

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

BSE in Systems and Control Engineering degree program is available at Case Western Reserve University. This program is known to provide internationally recognized excellence in education and research in systems analysis, control and design. Majoring in Systems and Control Engineering gives you the basic concepts and engineering methods that are needed to analyze and design complex technological and non-technological systems. You will learn how to use teamwork, leadership, management and communication skills when facilitating multidisciplinary projects.

Acceptance Rate

27.36

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

Providence College is a nonprofit private institution located in Providence, RI and provides a large number of educational opportunities for students. The Roman Catholic affiliation at the school is an important part of the history, education and vision that defines the school. PC has an annual student enrollment of about five thousand. Areas of study available at Providence College include:

  • Business And Marketing Studies
  • Biological And Biomedical Sciences
  • English Language And Literature
  • Social Sciences
To be considered for admissions, students may be asked to complete an application, write a personal statement, and submit any transcripts or test scores, which are then reviewed by admissions officials. Students may take either the SAT or ACT scores to be considered for admissions to Providence College. A score within the range of 1590 to 1900 on the SAT, or 23 to 27 for the ACT is usually submitted among admitted students. This school accepts approximately 60 percent of applicants. Of those applicants accepted, nearly 16 percent of students enrolled. More information on admissions can be found here. The cost of undergraduate tuition is around $45,000, but may change from year to year. Students are encouraged to use the school's tuition calculator to better estimate their cost of attendance. Housing is available for students and costs around $7,700 per year. Students attending Providence College may qualify for aid which is generally scholarships, grants, and loans. The mascot for Providence College is the "Friars", and they participate in intercollegiate athletics through oversight by the NCAA. Available athletic programs offered may include the following:
  • Basketball (NCAA Division I-AAA)
  • Track & Field (NCAA Division I-AAA)
  • Field Hockey (NCAA Division I-AAA)
Students who would like to get more about Providence College can visit their website at http://www.providence.edu.

Acceptance Rate

47.46

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

Master of Engineering in Systems Engineering is currently offered at Stevens Institute of Technology. This program is tailored to provide the right blend of engineering, technology and management training that prepares graduates to become technical leaders that apply systems approach to successfully navigate complex systems. Graduates of this program developed the ability to address systems integration and systems thinking at the system and enterprise level. This program continues to strive to develop capable leaders that can design cutting edge systems and maintain them in this increasingly complex, globally interconnected business and policy environment.

Acceptance Rate

39.96

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

The Systems Engineering and Technology Management is offered at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. This is designed for applicants with an undergraduate engineering degree in any discipline who wants to extend their understanding of emerging technologies within their discipline. This program provides a fundamental background in technology management and technical decision-making methods. One of the unique features of this program is its fusion of management/decision sciences core with student’s undergraduate engineering discipline.

Acceptance Rate

47.41

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

The Systems Engineering major at the United States Merchant Marine Academy incorporates a capstone Design Project which focuses on the design of marine power plants and their associated systems. This is an excellent program that prepares midshipmen to serve as licensed engineering officer in the US Merchant Marine. It provides engineering education used in a wide variety of professional positions. It is structured to impart engineering insights that will help them pursue graduate study or become licensed professional engineers.

Acceptance Rate

24.87

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

The programs offered at the University of Connecticut’s Institute for Advanced Systems Engineering are designed for practicing engineers that want to earn a graduate certificate or a master’s degree without workday interruptions. The degree can be earned part-time or full-time using their flexible distance learning model. The academic mission of this program is this, to train the engineer of the next decade. They aim to produce the 2020 engineers at a substantial capacity by adoption of a scalable, bold, and interdisciplinary approach to graduate STEM education.

Acceptance Rate

49.42

Student to Faculty Ratio

16:1

SUNY at Binghamton is a public institution that has a fair number of majors and degree programs available for students to choose from. The school is located in Vestal, New York, in a predominantly suburban area. SUNY at Binghamton has a yearly student enrollment of around fifteen thousand. A list of some of the more popular programs offered are:

  • Psychology
  • English Language And Literature
  • Social Sciences
  • Health And Clinical Professions
  • Biological And Biomedical Sciences
The admissions process will begin with the submission of an application, transcripts, records, and test scores, which are then evaluated by the admissions office. Most students admitted to this school achieve an SAT score between 1770 - 2030, or an ACT composite score between 26 - 30. Approximately 40% of all students that applied were admitted at this school, with 21% of those admitted choosing to enroll. More information from the admissions office can be found here. The cost of undergraduate tuition varies for in-state and nonresidents. In-state residents pay nearly $7,900, while nonresidents pay $17,000 for the year. Housing may be available for students that would like to live on-campus for a cost of $8,300 each year. Students at this school may qualify for aid which is usually grants and loans. Athletic programs are available at Binghamton University through the NCAA, allowing students to compete in intercollegiate sports. Available sports offered may include but not limited to:
  • Baseball (NCAA Division I-AAA)
  • Basketball (NCAA Division I-AAA)
  • Track & Field (NCAA Division I-AAA)
Students should visit the SUNY at Binghamton website to obtain a complete list of academic programs offered, admissions information, and more.

Acceptance Rate

40.53

Student to Faculty Ratio

19:1

What is Systems Engineering?

Systems engineering is an interdisciplinary approach ensuring the successful integration and operation of a system. Systems engineers define the needs of the customer and all requisite functionality, documentation, and capabilities of their desired system prior to system design. A systems engineer is trained to coalesce the following disciplines into a singular, integrative system to achieve optimal results for the customer: documentation, cost, scheduling, facilities, software, hardware, operations, performance, testing, fabrication, manufacturing, training, recycling, and technical support.

By creating an integrative ecosystem of resources and specialists, a systems engineer is able to assimilate the team around a set of goals from conceptualization to production and distribution. Bringing the right people together with the right resources through customer alignment ensures business needs and technical know-how are seamlessly part of the process from start to finish.

How to Become a Systems Engineer

Bahill and Gissing created a process that encapsulates the engineering process in a series of steps with the acronym SIMILAR. This process is outlined below in a concise fashion to give you an idea of the steps involved in the systems engineering process without overcomplicating the process:

  1. State the Problem: Systems engineering begins by describing the issue and top-level functions of a system with input from all stakeholders in the process defining what needs to be accomplished.
  2. Investigate Alternatives: Alternative designs are measured upon empirical data such as cost, scheduling, risk, and performance capabilities. through data modeling and simulations.
  3. Model the System: All viable designs are put through a series of data modeling and simulations with performing systems placed on the real system to completing testing cycles.
  4. Integrate: The integration phase brings together all disparate disciplines into one system to further be evaluated and tested.
  5. Launch the System: In this phase of systems engineering, the team runs the system and produces measurable outputs. The outputs are verified and validated against the baseline model in singular site or multi-site environment.
  6. Assess Performance: In this phase, data is utilized to determine the technical capability, metrics, and merit of the system and their respective subsystems.
  7. Reevaluate: In systems engineering, the feedback loop of reevaluation is arguably the most critical to ensure a quality system, evaluating efficacy, performance improvements, and continual improvement mechanisms across the entire system.

Top Systems Engineering Degrees

In order to become a systems engineer you will first need to obtain the necessary education to perform the job.  Earning a college degree from an accredited college or university in systems engineering can come in a few different variants.  We have outlined a few options below for your consideration when thinking about a career as a systems engineer.

Bachelor Degree in Systems Engineering

An on-site or online bachelor’s degree is systems engineering is a 4-year, full time program and seen as the entry-point into a career in the field.  By integrating business acumen with engineering techniques and mathematical knowledge, you will be able to more effectively design and operate systems of all types.  Graduates with a systems engineering degree can find themselves working in an array of industries from finance, engineering, technology, communication, environmental, project management, software, transportation, or marketing to name a few.

Master’s Degree in Systems Engineering

The master’s degree in systems engineering is a 1-2 year graduate program that provides business-critical skills to practitioners in the ever-complex, interconnected global business environment. Students will take a number of upper level classes to upskill in systems engineering such as: system architecture, systems design, systems integration, project management, logistics, integrated supply chain management, and dynamic modeling.   Graduates of the online master’s degree program will intimately understand systems integration, quality control, operations management, and life cycles at the system level in a hyper-competitive ecosystem where productivity, complexity, and globalization are the norm.

Doctorate Degree in Systems Engineering

The doctoral program will often be seen in a course catalog as a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Systems Engineering.  This program will focus on impactful research methodology plus top-tier design thinking to help push the field of systems engineering into a new frontier.  A PhD graduate will be expertly trained to become a systems thinker linking engineering, management, and technical challenges to reduce complexity and increase productivity through quality systems.

Professional Certifications in Systems Engineering

After earning your college degree in systems engineering, you will be trained to analyze, design, implement, and maintain systems of all types across an enterprise.  To best prepare you for a specific job as a recent graduate or to upskill in your current company, it may be worth considering a professional certification in systems engineering.  Professional certificates can come in a number of different types from different providers but can bolster your resume and enhance your skills within the field.  A few examples of professional certifications for systems engineers include:

College Requirements for Systems Engineers

An education in systems engineering is generally offered at the bachelor degree level, although graduate studies may be pursued. Individuals will learn a variety of skills, including management, engineering, communication, optimization and more, and then develop the skills necessary to weave these disciplines together in order to be able to perform as a systems engineer. Study can take up to six years and requires extensive research and training.

A curriculum may include:

  • Communication Methodologies
  • Risk Assessment and Reduction
  • Engineering Principles
  • Management and Maintenance
  • Resource and Distribution

Students seeking education in systems engineering should seek out programs that have access to internships or other resources that will allow for practical development of these skills alongside more traditional classroom education. Students should contact departments to see if such opportunities are available when making their choice of school.

Schools Other Students Requested Information From:

Employment Opportunities in Systems Engineering

Individuals in this field will generally be in a supervisoryposition for projects that require detail-oriented work and the management of information and resources to ensure that the work is completed in a timely and efficient manner. Individuals will also be responsible for supply, restocking, distribution, maintenance and any other factors to ensure that project longevity and viability is secured.

The International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) is a professional organization dedicated to providing information for systems engineers in order to better work performance globally and provide better working conditions and systems. Member of this organization share information and ideas within the field in order to promote growth and development.

Career Outlook for Systems Engineers

Systems engineers are in high demand and can command a competitive salary from large corporations and government agencies around the country. For people with the right attributes and professional demeanor, the interdisciplinary role of a systems engineer can be a solid vocational opportunity. Annual income for a systems engineer can range from $86,500 to $135,000 depending on the geographic location and scope of job responsibilities.

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