Best colleges for Energy Systems Engineering
Ranked by graduate earnings
Compare 20 U.S. colleges offering Energy Systems Engineering by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 12 states.
About Energy Systems Engineering programs
Energy Systems Engineering is a multidisciplinary field that focuses on optimizing energy systems and developing renewable energy technologies. This program is designed for students interested in addressing the growing demand for energy in a sustainable manner, combining principles from various engineering disciplines to improve energy efficiency and environmental compliance.
Students in Energy Systems Engineering will gain knowledge in areas such as energy harvesting and storage, energy conversion, and facility management. Coursework typically includes energy systems design, energy efficiency strategies, and environmental considerations, equipping graduates with the skills needed to tackle modern energy challenges.
Top 20 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
Specializations within Energy Systems Engineering
3 of the 3 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 14.48 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
Offered across 12 states
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
| State | Institutions | Median earnings | Top institution by earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizonalimited | 1 | — | — |
| California | 3 | — | — |
| Connecticutlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Massachusetts | 4 | — | — |
| Michigan | 3 | — | — |
| New Jerseylimited | 1 | — | — |
| Ohiolimited | 2 | — | — |
| Oregonlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Pennsylvanialimited | 1 | — | — |
| Texaslimited | 1 | — | — |
| Wisconsinlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Wyominglimited | 1 | — | — |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 17-2199, Engineers, All Other, and its national outlook.
Graduates of Energy Systems Engineering can pursue careers in various sectors, including power plant engineering and energy services. The job outlook for this field is about as fast as average, with an expected growth rate of 2.1% and approximately 9,300 annual openings. The median wage for professionals in this area is $117,750, typically requiring a bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Energy Systems Engineering
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 14.48.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 14.48 (Energy Systems Engineering) maps to 3 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9041 | Architectural and Engineering Managers |
| 17-2199 | Engineers, All Otherprimary |
| 25-1032 | Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Common questions
What is Energy Systems Engineering?+
It is a multidisciplinary engineering field focused on optimizing energy systems and developing renewable technologies.
What will I learn in this program?+
You will learn about energy harvesting, conversion, efficiency, and environmental compliance.
What career opportunities are available?+
You can work in power plant engineering, energy services, and related fields.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The growth rate is about 2.1% with around 9,300 annual openings and a median wage of $117,750.
What is the CIP code for Energy Systems Engineering?+
Energy Systems Engineering maps to CIP 14.48 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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