Field of study · CIP 30.06
Systems Science and Theory
Offered at 56 college programs that reported results. Here is what graduates earn and owe at each credential level, and which programs pay best.
By credential level
| Credential | Programs | Typical earnings, 1 yr | Typical earnings, 5 yrs | Typical debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate | 1 | — | — | — |
| Associate | 1 | — | — | — |
| Bachelor's | 17 | $59,681 | $76,198 | $21,500 |
| Post-bacc certificate | 1 | — | — | — |
| Master's | 18 | $83,019 | — | — |
| Doctoral | 11 | — | — | — |
| Graduate certificate | 7 | — | — | — |
"Typical" is the median across programs of each program's median, counting only programs with unsuppressed data (at least three). It describes a typical program, not a national median for all graduates. Certificate figures include certificates earned at four-year colleges, often alongside a bachelor's; see degrees vs. certificates for a cleaner comparison. Source: College Scorecard field of study data.
Highest-earning bachelor's programs
| # | College | State | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 5 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carnegie Mellon University | PA | $106,632 | $157,826 | $19,000 |
| 2 | James Madison University | VA | $72,455 | $105,272 | $24,000 |
| 3 | La Salle University | PA | $44,123 | $82,423 | — |
| 4 | Pennsylvania Western University | PA | — | $69,973 | — |
| 5 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | IL | $38,458 | $65,181 | $16,000 |
| 6 | Rhode Island School of Design | RI | $59,681 | — | $25,000 |
| 7 | Marshall University | WV | — | $52,964 | — |
Ranked by 5-year median earnings, or 1-year where 5-year is not reported.
Highest-earning master's programs
| # | College | State | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 5 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The New School | NY | $113,846 | — | — |
| 2 | Binghamton University | NY | $83,019 | $104,400 | — |
| 3 | University of Alabama at Birmingham | AL | $101,102 | — | — |
| 4 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh | NC | $65,945 | $100,420 | — |
| 5 | University at Buffalo | NY | $66,381 | — | — |
Ranked by 5-year median earnings, or 1-year where 5-year is not reported.
Related fields
Historic Preservation and ConservationBachelor's typical 5-yr earnings —Nutrition SciencesBachelor's typical 5-yr earnings $62,655Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity StudiesBachelor's typical 5-yr earnings —Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, OtherBachelor's typical 5-yr earnings $57,309Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, GeneralBachelor's typical 5-yr earnings $53,756Museology/Museum StudiesBachelor's typical 5-yr earnings —Geography and Environmental StudiesBachelor's typical 5-yr earnings —Data AnalyticsBachelor's typical 5-yr earnings —
Quick answers
- How much do systems science and theory graduates earn?
- One year after finishing, a typical bachelor's program in systems science and theory reports median earnings of $59,681. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field of study data.
