Systems Science and Theory: is it worth it?
A 0–100 score blending this major’s national earnings, ROI and typical debt. How it’s scored.
National picture across 4 college programs, at a typical net price.
Graduate earnings clearly outpace the cost and debt — this degree pays back quickly.
What Systems Science and Theory pays
Career outlook for Systems Science and Theory graduates
The job market for the occupations Systems Science and Theory graduates typically enter, projected through 2034 — from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This is the demand side, complementing the IRS-verified graduate earnings above.
Top jobs for this major
| Occupation | U.S. jobs | Growth to 2034 | Median pay | Typical entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Managers, all other | 1,333,700 | +4.5% | $136,550 | Bachelor's degree |
| Postsecondary teachers, all other | 183,400 | +1.8% | $78,490 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections (2024–34) & the NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk. Occupation pay is the national median wage for the role — not the same as graduate earnings, which we draw from IRS records.
Systems Science and Theory vs similar majors
How Systems Science and Theory stacks up against the closest fields in Interdisciplinary Studies on pay, debt, ROI and the DR Rating. The best figure in each row is highlighted.
| Systems Science and Theory Interdisciplinary Studies · this major | Human Computer Interaction | Mathematics and Computer Science | Science, Technology and Society | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DR Rating | 90 A | 84 A | 92 A | 85 A |
| ROI verdict | Strong return | Strong return | Strong return | Strong return |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $110,759 | $122,421 | $93,003 | $81,097 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $69,716 | $76,324 | $56,140 | $48,550 |
| ROI vs cost | +710% | +806% | +502% | +353% |
| Typical debt | $25,199 | $36,897 | $21,409 | $21,225 |
| Colleges offering it | 4 | 7 | 2 | 10 |
Systems Science and Theory earnings over time
National median earnings one year after graduating, by cohort year — the consistent measure available across the federal data’s history.
Best colleges for Systems Science and Theory
Ranked by the ROI of this major at each college — its graduate earnings against the cost.
| # | College | Credential | Earnings (5 yr) | Median debt | 10-yr ROI | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA | Associate's | $133,740 | $23,250 | +1,126% | Strong return |
| 2 | University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, AL | Certificate | $148,357 | $35,696 | +1,075% | Strong return |
| 3 | James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA | Associate's | $101,452 | $21,500 | +936% | Strong return |
| 4 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL | Associate's | $59,488 | $20,350 | +301% | Strong return |
Related majors
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.