Best colleges for Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians
Ranked by graduate earnings
Compare 118 U.S. colleges offering Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 38 states.
Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $67,764 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 15.17 and the Wind Turbine Service Technicians occupation (BLS SOC).
About Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians programs
The Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians program focuses on equipping students with the skills needed to work in the rapidly evolving energy sector. This program is ideal for individuals interested in the design, development, testing, and maintenance of energy systems, including renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydroelectric power. Students will gain hands-on experience with various technologies and systems, preparing them for a range of roles in the energy industry. This program is suitable for those who enjoy problem-solving and are passionate about sustainable energy solutions.
Core coursework in this program covers critical skills such as troubleshooting mechanical and electrical systems, performing routine maintenance, and testing electrical components. Students will also learn essential knowledge in mechanical systems, electronics, and safety protocols, ensuring a well-rounded education in energy technologies.
Top 3 bachelor's programs, 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.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ferris State University Big Rapids, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $67,764 | 38 | 47% | — | $20,308 |
| 2 | Excelsior University Albany, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Online | $110,398 | 24 | — | — | $33,328 |
| 3 | Illinois State University Normal, IL Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $46,992 | 9 | 65% | — | $17,750 |
Top 3 certificate and associate programs
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Refrigeration School Inc Phoenix, AZ Private for-profit · Associate degree | $51,772 | 34 | 76% | $26,791 | $19,919 |
| 2 | Ashland Community and Technical College Ashland, KY Public · Certificate | $27,379 | 34 | 51% | — | — |
| 3 | Southeast Community College Area Lincoln, NE Public · Associate degree Small program | $104,847 | 15 | 38% | — | $11,000 |
Specializations within Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians
5 of the 7 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 15.17 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Energy Systems Technology/CIP 15.1701
Technician 681 graduates / yr76 institutions30 states - Solar Energy Technology/CIP 15.1703
Technician 312 graduates / yr33 institutions18 states - Power Plant Technology/CIP 15.1702
Technician New in CIP 2020partial data74 graduates / yr5 institutions5 states - Wind Energy Technology/CIP 15.1704
Technician New in CIP 2020partial data47 graduates / yr7 institutions6 states - Energy Systems Technologies/CIP 15.1799
Technicians New in CIP 2020limited data2 graduates / yr1 institutions1 states
Show all 7 codes (2 with no U.S. programs reported)+
- Hydroelectric Energy Technology/
Technician15.1705 - Geothermal Energy Technology/
Technician15.1706
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Offered across 38 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
| State | Institutions | Median earnings | Top institution by earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 9 | $110,398 | Excelsior University |
| Nebraska | 3 | $104,847 | Southeast Community College Area |
| Michigan | 6 | $67,764 | Ferris State University |
| Arizonalimited | 1 | $51,772 | Refrigeration School Inc |
| Illinois | 9 | $46,992 | Illinois State University |
| Kentucky | 3 | $27,379 | Ashland Community and Technical College |
| California | 13 | — | — |
| Coloradolimited | 2 | — | — |
| Connecticutlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Delawarelimited | 1 | — | — |
| Florida | 7 | — | — |
| Georgia | 8 | — | — |
| Idaho | 3 | — | — |
| Indianalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Iowalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Kansas | 4 | — | — |
| Louisianalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Mainelimited | 1 | — | — |
| Massachusettslimited | 1 | — | — |
| Minnesota | 3 | — | — |
| Missourilimited | 2 | — | — |
| Montanalimited | 1 | — | — |
| New Jersey | 3 | — | — |
| New Mexico | 3 | — | — |
| North Carolinalimited | 2 | — | — |
| North Dakotalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Ohio | 3 | — | — |
| Oklahomalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Pennsylvania | 3 | — | — |
| South Carolinalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Tennesseelimited | 1 | — | — |
| Texas | 5 | — | — |
| Utahlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Vermontlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Washington | 4 | — | — |
| Wisconsin | 3 | — | — |
| Puerto Ricolimited | 2 | — | — |
| Virginialimited | 1 | — | — |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 49-9081, Wind Turbine Service Technicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians program can expect a promising job outlook, with a projected growth rate of 49.9% and approximately 2,300 annual openings in the field. The median wage for these technicians is around $62,580, and typical education required is a postsecondary nondegree award.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 15.17.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 15.17 (Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians) maps to 6 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 17-3029 | Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other |
| 27-1021 | Commercial and Industrial Designers |
| 47-2231 | Solar Photovoltaic Installers |
| 49-2095 | Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay |
| 49-9081 | Wind Turbine Service Techniciansprimary |
| 51-8013 | Power Plant Operators |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Troubleshoot or repair mechanical, hydraulic, or electrical malfunctions related to variable pitch systems, variable speed control systems, converter systems, or related components.
- Perform routine maintenance on wind turbine equipment, underground transmission systems, wind fields substations, or fiber optic sensing and control systems.
- Diagnose problems involving wind turbine generators or control systems.
- Test electrical components of wind systems with devices, such as voltage testers, multimeters, oscilloscopes, infrared testers, or fiber optic equipment.
- Start or restart wind turbine generator systems to ensure proper operations.
- Climb wind turbine towers to inspect, maintain, or repair equipment.
Common questions
What types of specializations are available in this program?+
Specializations include Energy Systems Technology, Power Plant Technology, Solar Energy Technology, Wind Energy Technology, Hydroelectric Energy Technology, Geothermal Energy Technology, and more.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, monitoring, active listening, and troubleshooting mechanical and electrical systems.
What careers can I pursue after completing this program?+
You can pursue careers as an energy systems technician, wind turbine technician, or in other roles within the renewable energy sector.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 49.9% and about 2,300 annual job openings.
How much do Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians graduates earn?+
Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $67,764, College Scorecard (2019); the Wind Turbine Service Technicians occupation pays about $68,980 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians?+
Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians maps to CIP 15.17 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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