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Systems Engineering at Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
50 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
52
Optimistic
50
Base Case
46
Pessimistic
Earnings $83,874/yr (12% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Large (57,100 openings/yr)
ROI 3.2x earnings multiple
Ranked #10 of 11 Systems Engineering programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Systems Engineering graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $836K $803K $678K
Earnings Multiple 3.3x 3.2x 2.7x
Probability of Field Employment 73% 66% 45%
DegreeOutlook Score 52 50 46

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$251,928
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$88,468
65% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,139
3.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $83,874/yr, edging above the $75,193 national average for Systems Engineering — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

The 3.2x return on tuition is positive but not overwhelming. Financial outcomes depend on keeping costs close to in-state rates.

AI risk is moderate — 56% task exposure — and the 19% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At $23,139 in median debt against $83,874 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #10 out of 11 programs, Washington University in St Louis's financial outcomes for Systems Engineering trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About Washington University in St Louis

Washington University in St Louis admits 12% of applicants — among the most selective institutions in the country, with a mid-sized student body of 7,897 in Saint Louis, MO. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $88,468 — 65% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Washington University in St Louis →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr
Database architects $135,980/yr
Engineers, all other $117,750/yr
View all 5 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 11 schools offering Systems Engineering →

Systems Engineering at Other Schools

University of Virginia-Main Campus ($91,178) University of Florida ($85,698) George Mason University ($84,942) University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ($81,785) Massachusetts Maritime Academy ($79,942) University of Arizona ($76,660) University of North Carolina at Charlotte ($68,034) Otterbein University ($63,243)

Other Majors at Washington University in St Louis

Computer Science ($110,302) Business/Managerial Economics ($106,701) Finance and Financial Management Services ($102,814) Mathematics ($79,799) Mechanical Engineering ($72,057) Marketing ($70,819) Chemical Engineering ($69,801) Economics ($66,325)

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Washington University in St Louis's Systems Engineering program score?
A score of 50/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Washington University in St Louis trails the majority of Systems Engineering programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
How vulnerable is Systems Engineering to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Systems Engineering careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 56% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
How affordable is Systems Engineering at Washington University in St Louis after financial aid?
Sticker price is $251,928, but the average net cost is $88,468 — a 65% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →