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Energy Systems Engineering

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Energy Systems Engineering

Energy Systems Engineering graduates pursue 2 occupations, with top roles paying $171,270/yr or more. The career cards below break down wages, daily tasks, and 10-year job growth projections for each.

Explore Program

About Energy Systems Engineering

This page covers Energy Systems Engineering as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Engineering and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.

Energy Systems Engineering is a focused area of study within Engineering. You will not have trouble finding it: 18 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 187 students complete it each year, most walking away with a master's. Coursework leans technical and quantitative, with lab or project work common.

Colleges Offering: 18
Graduates / Year: 187
Avg Net Price / yr: $22,391

Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown

Of the 187 students who complete Energy Systems Engineering programs each year, the majority (47%) earn a master's degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.

32% 21% 47%

Master's 47%

Bachelor's 32%

Post-Bacc Cert. 21%

What Can You Do With an Energy Systems Engineering Degree?

This degree does not lock you into one job. Energy Systems Engineering graduates show up in 2 different occupations, and Architectural & Engineering Manager pays the most at $171,270/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.

The best-paid of these is what an Architectural & Engineering Manager earns and how fast the role is growing, though entry requirements vary across the list.

↗ +5.5% Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Architectural & Engineering Manager

$171,270

$139K $213K 25th–75th pct.

Bachelor's degree 14,900 openings/yr 220K employed nationally

Reading Comprehension Complex Problem Solving Active Listening Writing Speaking

Day-to-day responsibilities

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering or research and development in these fields.

Manage the coordination and overall integration of technical activities in architecture or engineering projects.
Direct, review, or approve project design changes.
Consult or negotiate with clients to prepare project specifications.

↗ +7.8% Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Engineering Teachers

$109,270

$82K $151K 25th–75th pct.

Doctoral or professional degree 3,900 openings/yr 40K employed nationally

Instructing Learning Strategies Speaking Reading Comprehension Active Listening

Day-to-day responsibilities

Teach courses pertaining to the application of physical laws and principles of engineering for the development of machines, materials, instruments, processes, and services. Includes teachers of subjects such as chemical, civil, electrical, industrial, mechanical, mineral, and petroleum engineering. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.

Top Colleges for Energy Systems Engineering

Not sure where to study Energy Systems Engineering? These 12 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.

Ranked by score, that list starts with the cost and outcomes at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, and the rest follow the same measures.

#	College	Graduates	Acceptance	Net Price/yr	Earnings 10yr
1	University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI · Public	36	15.6%	$13,138	$83,648
2	Villanova University Villanova, PA · Nonprofit	28	27%	$43,756	$100,423
3	Massachusetts Maritime Academy Buzzards Bay, MA · Public	22	94.7%	$21,582	$82,392
4	Oregon Institute of Technology Klamath Falls, OR · Public	19	95%	$15,706	$72,273
5	Indiana University-Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN · Public	12	76.4%	$11,668	$55,198
6	University of Dayton Dayton, OH · Nonprofit	11	65.5%	$29,533	$75,537
7	Michigan Technological University Houghton, MI · Public	10	92.4%	$14,182	$78,198
8	Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ · Public	7	89.9%	$14,967	$62,668
9	University of Wyoming Laramie, WY · Public	7	96.9%	$13,599	$56,880
10	Tufts University Medford, MA · Nonprofit	6	11.5%	$39,998	$83,214
11	Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX · Public	4	72.7%	$19,070	$62,454
12	Marquette University Milwaukee, WI · Nonprofit	1	81.3%	$31,487	$78,257

Ranked by Energy Systems Engineering graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →

Plan Your Path

Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of an Energy Systems Engineering program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find schools that match your profile.

College ROI Calculator

See if an Energy Systems Engineering degree pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings its graduates actually see.

College Cost Calculator

Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.

Compare Colleges

Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.

College Match Quiz

Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.

Energy Systems Engineering Degree: Pros & Cons

The data on Energy Systems Engineering shows 2 measurable strengths and 2 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.

PROS

Positive job outlook Related careers project up to +7.8% job growth over the next 10 years, a solid signal for long-term demand.
Strong hiring volume Related occupations generate more than 18,800 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.

CONS

Advanced degree often expected Top roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
Limited program availability Only 18 colleges offer this program nationally, which may limit geographic flexibility when choosing a school.

Energy Systems Engineering Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

What jobs can you get with an Energy Systems Engineering degree?

Architectural & Engineering Manager is one path, and it pays a median of $171,270 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.

How long does an Energy Systems Engineering program take?

Four years for the bachelor's, plus one to two more if you continue on to a master's, which many Energy Systems Engineering students do. Some schools shorten that with an accelerated 5-year combined program.

How many colleges offer Energy Systems Engineering?

18 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.

What is the difference between Energy Systems Engineering and Engineering?

Energy Systems Engineering is the narrower of the two: Engineering covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Energy Systems Engineering-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.

What skills do employers look for in Energy Systems Engineering graduates?

Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Energy Systems Engineering graduates consistently look for analytical thinking, technical proficiency, and data interpretation. Employers typically prioritize candidates who can demonstrate hands-on project or internship experience alongside their coursework. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.

Is graduate school worth it for Energy Systems Engineering graduates?

Usually worth considering. A master's in a STEM field can accelerate advancement into research, leadership, or senior engineering roles, and often adds $15,000 to $40,000 in long-term earning potential depending on specialization. Weigh that against your own career goals, the program's cost, and whether your target role actually rewards the advanced credential.

What is the job outlook for Energy Systems Engineering graduates?

Outlook is moderate overall: related occupations average +6.7% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Engineering Teachers are among the strongest-growth roles at +7.8%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.