Best institutions to study Energy Systems Engineering
A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of energy generation, storage, conversion, and distribution systems.
17 U.S. institutions graduated 191 Energy Systems Engineering students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 14.4801, a specialization of Energy Systems Engineering (CIP 14.48), and leads most directly to the Engineers, All Other occupation (BLS SOC 17-2199).
About Energy Systems Engineering programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of energy generation, storage, conversion, and distribution systems. Includes instruction in conventional and alternative/renewable energy systems, electrical power systems, and electrical system design.
See also: 15.1701 - Energy Systems Technology/Technician., 03.0210 - Bioenergy.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Energy Systems Engineering program prepares students to apply mathematical and scientific principles in the design, development, and operational evaluation of energy systems. This program is ideal for individuals interested in both conventional and alternative energy sources, focusing on energy generation, storage, conversion, and distribution systems.
Students in this program will gain knowledge in electrical power systems, electrical system design, and various renewable energy technologies. Coursework emphasizes the integration of engineering principles with sustainable practices.
Credentials awarded
What Energy Systems Engineering graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Postbaccalaureate certificate85 graduates / yr · 6 institutions45%
- Master's degree83 graduates / yr · 10 institutions44%
- Bachelor's degree22 graduates / yr · 4 institutions12%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.5%
Graduates over time
Energy Systems Engineering completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 28 |
| 2021 | 138 |
| 2022 | 143 |
| 2023 | 180 |
| 2024 | 149 |
| 2025 | 191 |
CIP 14.4801 was introduced in CIP 2020, so the series starts when institutions began reporting under the new code.
Top 17 institutions for Energy Systems Engineering, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Naval Postgraduate School Monterey, CAPublicPost-degree cert.Master's | 65 | — | — |
| 2 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicMaster's | 36 | 93% | — |
| 3 | Villanova University Villanova, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 11 | 92% | $33,774 |
| 4 | Texas Tech University Lubbock, TXPublicPost-degree cert. | 11 | 69% | — |
| 5 | Massachusetts Maritime Academy Buzzards Bay, MAPublicBachelor's | 10 | 74% | — |
| 6 | University of Dayton Dayton, OHPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 10 | 80% | $28,560 |
| 7 | Oregon Institute of Technology Klamath Falls, ORPublicBachelor's | 10 | 54% | — |
| 8 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 9 | 92% | $26,873 |
| 9 | Michigan Technological University Houghton, MIPublicPost-degree cert. | 7 | 68% | — |
| 10 | Stanford University Stanford, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 7 | 92% | $12,032 |
| 11 | Stevens Institute of Technology Hoboken, NJPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 4 | 87% | $34,827 |
| 12 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicMaster's | 3 | 68% | — |
| 13 | University of Wyoming Laramie, WYPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 3 | 59% | — |
| 14 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OHPublicMaster's | 2 | 75% | — |
| 15 | University of Connecticut Storrs, CTPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 83% | — |
| 16 | University of Michigan - Dearborn Dearborn, MIPublicMaster's | 1 | 58% | — |
| 17 | Marquette University Milwaukee, WIPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 1 | 83% | $25,376 |
Offered in 12 states
Where Energy Systems Engineering graduates come from. Each state links to all Energy Systems Engineering programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 3 | 81 | Naval Postgraduate School65 / yr |
| Michigan | 3 | 44 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor36 / yr |
| Ohio | 2 | 12 | University of Dayton10 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 11 | Villanova University11 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 11 | Texas Tech University11 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 1 | 10 | Massachusetts Maritime Academy10 / yr |
| Oregon | 1 | 10 | Oregon Institute of Technology10 / yr |
| New Jersey | 1 | 4 | Stevens Institute of Technology4 / yr |
| Arizona | 1 | 3 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion3 / yr |
| Wyoming | 1 | 3 | University of Wyoming3 / yr |
| Connecticut | 1 | 1 | University of Connecticut1 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 1 | 1 | Marquette University1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 17-2199, Engineers, All Other, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Energy Systems Engineering program can pursue careers as engineers in various sectors, with an annual job outlook of 9,300 openings and a median wage of $117,750. Most positions typically require a bachelor's degree, and the field is expected to grow at a rate of 2.1%, which is about as fast as average.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 14.4801
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Engineers, All Otherprimary SOC 17-2199 | $122,930 | +2.1% About as fast as average | ~9,300 | Bachelor's degree |
Architectural and Engineering Managers SOC 11-9041 | $171,270 | +3.8% About as fast as average | ~14,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1032 | $109,270 | +8.1% Much faster than average | ~4,100 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Related careers
Other Energy Systems Engineering specializations
The 2 other 6-digit CIP codes under Energy Systems Engineering (CIP 14.48).
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a postbaccalaureate certificate, master's degree, bachelor's degree, or a doctor's degree in Energy Systems Engineering.
What types of jobs can I get after graduation?+
Graduates can work as engineers, architectural and engineering managers, or engineering teachers at the postsecondary level.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
There are 17 colleges in the U.S. that offer the Energy Systems Engineering program.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is about 9,300 annual openings with a growth rate of 2.1%, which is about as fast as average.
What is the CIP code for Energy Systems Engineering?+
Energy Systems Engineering is CIP 14.4801 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Energy Systems Engineering (CIP 14.48). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of energy generation, storage, conversion, and distribution systems. Includes instruction in conventional and alternative/renewable energy systems, electrical power systems, and electrical system design.
How many institutions offer Energy Systems Engineering programs?+
17 U.S. institutions reported Energy Systems Engineering graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 12 states, awarding 191 credentials in the year. That is 92.7% of all Energy Systems Engineering graduates.
How much do Energy Systems Engineering graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Engineers, All Other occupation, which Energy Systems Engineering most directly leads to, pays a median of $122,930 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license. This specialization accounts for nearly all Energy Systems Engineering graduates, so its figures match the Energy Systems Engineering program page.
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