by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Energy Systems Engineering (General) explores 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. Examples: [Sustainable/renewable Energy Engineering]. Read on to learn the essential details every energy systems engineering (general) major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering energy systems engineering (general) programs.
In the U.S., energy systems engineering (general) is a popular field of study, with 149 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Energy Systems Engineering (General) Schools ranking analyzes these 14 schools to determine the best overall colleges for energy systems engineering (general) students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of energy systems engineering (general) programs later in this article.
Coursework for Energy Systems Engineering (General) build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations energy systems engineering (general) graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a energy systems engineering (general) program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a energy systems engineering (general) major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several energy systems engineering (general) degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 45 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 104 |
People currently working in careers related to energy systems engineering (general) tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 30.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 29.6% |
| Master’s degree | 11.8% |
| Post-doctoral training | 8.0% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 7.5% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.1% |
| Some college courses | 1.6% |
| First professional degree | 1.5% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.7% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.3% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in energy systems engineering (general) careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in energy systems engineering (general) opens doors to many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to energy systems engineering (general).
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to energy systems engineering (general).
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,297,204 | -2.0% |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | 440,884 | 8.0% |
| Nanosystems Engineers | 358,781 | -2.9% |
| Wind Energy Engineers | 353,305 | 12.7% |
| Engineers, All Other | 292,948 | -4.3% |
| Solar Energy Systems Engineers | 266,797 | 14.5% |
| Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar | 227,778 | 6.7% |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 207,139 | 9.0% |
Salaries for energy systems engineering (general) graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers energy systems engineering (general) grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Engineers, All Other | $136,628 |
| Solar Energy Systems Engineers | $116,775 |
| Mechatronics Engineers | $115,569 |
| Microsystems Engineers | $104,558 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $101,277 |
| Wind Energy Engineers | $98,460 |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | $89,263 |
| Photonics Engineers | $84,667 |
With 14 different energy systems engineering (general) programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased energy systems engineering (general) school rankings to help you.
Those considering energy systems engineering (general), you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Power Plant Engineering | 9 |
| Energy Systems Engineering, Other | 2 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
