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Energy economist education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an energy economist. Energy economists usually study economics, finance, or political science. 46% of energy economists hold a bachelor's degree, and 42% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 31 real energy economist resumes to see exactly what energy economist education sections show.

The most common colleges for energy economists are the Pennsylvania State University and the Pennsylvania State University.

There are also many online energy economist courses to help get the education required to be an energy economist.

What education do you need to become an energy economist?

What degree do you need to be an energy economist?

The most common degree for energy economists is bachelor's degree, with 46% of energy economists earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 42% and master's degree degree at 13%.
  • Bachelor's, 46%
  • Master's, 42%
  • Doctorate, 13%

What should I major in to become an energy economist?

You should major in economics to become an energy economist. 39% of energy economists major in economics. Other common majors for an energy economist include finance and political science.

Most common colleges for energy economists

Energy economists often get their degrees at Pennsylvania State University, Indiana Institute of Technology, and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Here are the most common colleges for energy economists in the US based on their resumes.
Energy economist common collegePercentages
Pennsylvania State University10.00%
Indiana Institute of Technology5.00%
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign5.00%
Clemson University5.00%
University of Maryland - College Park5.00%

Best majors for energy economists

RankMajorPercentages
1Economics39.3%
2Finance14.3%
3Political Science10.7%
4Mining Engineering7.1%
5Systems Engineering3.6%

Best colleges for energy economists

The best colleges for energy economists are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Washington University in St Louis.

An energy economist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for energy economists. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become energy economists.

1. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

2. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

3. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

4. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

5. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

6. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

In-state tuition

$53,399

Enrollment

7,356

7. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Madison, WI • Private

In-state tuition

$10,555

Enrollment

30,360

8. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

9. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

10. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$55,188

Enrollment

15,105

20 best online courses for energy economists

Advertising disclosure

1. Global Energy and Climate Policy

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The Global Energy and Climate Policy course offers an introduction to the theoretical and practical understanding of how energy and climate change policies are designed, shaped, advocated and implemented. As energy markets go truly global, domestic energy policies are becoming more and more entangled with wider issues of international governance. Concurrently, the urgent need to mitigate and adapt to climate change and transition to a low-carbon future is adding a further layer of complexity...

2. Earth Economics

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After this course you will be an Earth Economist that can provide evidence-based advise on the best global policy. As an Earth Economist you will better understand the behavior and advice of economists, have become a better economist yourself and know where to find Earth's data and how to analyze these world observations. Our planet is too important: we need you to get engaged! Earth Economics offers a completely new angle to policy analysis by its focus on the truly global level and its...

3. Investment Banking: The Complete Financial Ratio Analysis

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Investment Banking For Investors & Financial Analysts - How to Perform Financial Statement Analysis & Company Valuation...

4. Understand Banks & Financial Markets

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4.4
(6,205)

The world of financial markets: participants, products, trading motives, pricing and structure...

5. Modelling and measuring the Energy Transition

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This MOOC provides attendants with fundamental knowledge about the main challenges in modelling the energy transition at both global and regional levels, as well as the industrial ecology instruments to measure the associated impacts. The course begins by covering national energy accounting and the definition of a reference energy system, followed by an introduction to modelling for energy planning through linear programming. Participants will be engaged in hands-on practice using Excel...

6. Photovoltaic solar energy

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The course is an introduction to the photovoltaic (PV) applications in the general mix energetic context dominated by climate warming mitigation. The various uses of solar energy are firstly presented before a short description of the principle of the direct solar photon conversion into electricity (PV). The various PV technologies are reviewed in the current context dominated by crystalline silicon cells. The perspectives of the various technologies are then analysed in terms of R&D...

7. Financial Statement Analysis

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Learn how to make understanding financial statements your superpower!...

8. Banking Credit Analysis Process (for Bankers)

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Course for Bankers, Consultants and managers to Understand Credit Analysis Process from Indian Context...

9. Doing Economics: Measuring Climate Change

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This course will give you practical experience in working with real-world data, with applications to important policy issues in today’s society. Each week, you will learn specific data handling skills in Excel and use these techniques to analyse climate change data, with appropriate readings to provide background information on the data you are working with. You will also learn about the consequences of climate change and how governments can address this issue. After completing this course, you...

10. Investment Banking: Financial Analysis and Valuation

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This course will provide students the key building blocks required for a career in investment banking, valuation, and other corporate-finance focused fields. It is designed to provide a practical application of financial statement analysis and valuation techniques commonly performed by industry professionals. The course has two major parts. The first focuses on the foundational elements of financial statement and ratio analysis. The second applies the financial statements and forecasts within...

11. How Sustainability is Changing The Financial Sector

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New Risks, Challenges and Business Opportunities for Banks and Investors under Environmental and Social Responsibility...

12. Fundamentals of Energy

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Energy & Low Carbon Sustainable Energy Systems - Beginner Masterclass...

13. Complete Investment Banking Course

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4.3
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Learn IB Industry, Financial Modeling, Valuation, DCF. Pitchbook, and much more...

14. Bank Reconciliation Statement using Excel - Easy Guide

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Keep a track of Your Bank Balance through a Bank Reconciliation Statment and Develop your own Template...

15. Financial Statement Analysis - Ratio Analysis

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Master the Art of Financial Statement Analysis: Unlocking Insights through Vertical, Horizontal, and Ratio Analysis...

16. Advanced Renewable Energy Financial Modeling

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Learn how to build an integrated project finance model for renewable energy investments from scratch...

17. Business Banking 101

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Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Getting a Bank Loan...

18. Financial modeling Renewable Energy: Solar & Wind

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Learn how build a financial model for solar plants and wind plants, and help seal renewable energy deals worldwide!...

19. The Future of Energy

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The Bigger Picture: The Probable Future of Energy...

20. 3-in-1 Banking, Banking Risk and Compliance Masterclass

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The essentials of the banking business (business model, compliance, others), financial risk management and compliance...

Top 10 most affordable universities for energy economists

The most affordable schools for energy economists are Baruch College of the City University of New York, university of florida, and california state university - long beach.

If the best universities for energy economists are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for energy economists.

1. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

2. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

3. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

4. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

5. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

6. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

7. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

8. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

9. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

10. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for energy economists

The hardest universities for energy economists to get into are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Washington University in St Louis.

Some great schools for energy economists are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for energy economists based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

3. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

4. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

5. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

6. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,471

7. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

8. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

9. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

10. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for energy economists

The easiest schools for energy economists to get into are Holy Names University, university of the incarnate word, and university of baltimore.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an energy economist without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for energy economists.

1. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

2. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

3. University of Baltimore

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,020

4. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

5. The University of Texas Permian Basin

Odessa, TX • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,046

6. University of North Texas at Dallas

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

992

7. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

8. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

9. University of Houston - Downtown

Houston, TX • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

1,012

10. The University of Texas at El Paso

El Paso, TX • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,035

Average energy economist salary by education level

According to our data, energy economists with a Doctorate degree earn the highest average salary, at $90,807 annually. Energy economists with a Master's degree earn an average annual salary of $56,120.
Energy economist education levelEnergy economist salary
Master's Degree$56,120
Doctorate Degree$90,807

Energy economist education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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