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CIP 14.4801 Engineering

Energy Systems Engineering, General

IPEDS Completions, US Department of Education · 2025

Total graduates

106

2025 · 12 schools

International share

26.4%

28 international students

Bachelor's degrees

22

13.6% international

Master's degrees

83

28.9% international

Overview

Energy Systems Engineering is an interdisciplinary field that focuses on the design, optimization, and management of energy systems. This branch of engineering combines principles from mechanical, electrical, and civil engineering, along with economics and environmental science, to address the pressing challenges of energy production, distribution, and consumption.

Students in Energy Systems Engineering learn to analyze various energy sources, including renewable energies like solar, wind, and hydropower, as well as traditional fossil fuels. They study how to integrate these energy sources into existing infrastructures and develop innovative solutions for efficient energy usage and sustainability. The curriculum typically includes subjects such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, energy management, and systems modeling.

One of the primary goals of this discipline is to reduce the environmental impact of energy systems while ensuring reliable and affordable energy supply. Graduates are equipped with the skills necessary to work in various sectors, including power generation, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and energy policy. They may find opportunities in government agencies, private companies, and consulting firms, focusing on areas such as energy policy analysis, energy system design, and sustainability consulting.

As the world increasingly shifts toward sustainable energy practices, the demand for professionals in Energy Systems Engineering continues to grow. This program not only prepares students for technical challenges but also emphasizes the importance of economic and environmental considerations in the development of energy solutions, making it a crucial field for addressing global energy needs.

Graduates by year

Graduates by degree level (first and second majors)

AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral

From 2020 to 2025, graduates grew 324% and the international share went from 8.0% to 26.4%.

International share (%)
Graduates by group, 2025
White
53.8%
Asian
6.6%
Hispanic
5.7%
Black
0.9%
Other
6.6%
Intl.
26.4%

Colleges that award this degree

In 2025, 12 schools awarded this degree as a first major. The table lists those in the 2027 U.S. News National or Liberal Arts rankings, plus the unranked schools with the most graduates.

RankSchoolStateGraduatesInternational
#5 Stanford University California 7 2
#25 University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Michigan 36 10
#27 University of Southern California California 9 6
#42 Villanova University Pennsylvania 11 2
#121 Arizona State University-Tempe Arizona 3 2
#121 University of Dayton Ohio 10 2
#179 University of Cincinnati-Main Campus Ohio 2 0
#227 University of Michigan-Dearborn Michigan 1 0
#250 University of Wyoming Wyoming 3 1
— Massachusetts Maritime Academy Massachusetts 10 0
— Oregon Institute of Technology Oregon 10 3
— Naval Postgraduate School California 4 0

Purple: international students are 25% or more of the school's graduates.

Related jobs and pay

OccupationUS employmentMean hourly wageMean annual wage
Architectural and Engineering Managers 220,260 $87.28 $181,540
Engineers, All Other 154,070 $60.26 $125,330
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary 40,270 — $124,520

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.

Graduate counts: IPEDS Completions, US Department of Education, 2020–2025. Rankings: 2027 U.S. News.