Renewable energy engineer education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a renewable energy engineer. Renewable energy engineers usually study electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or construction engineering. 72% of renewable energy engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 20% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 56 real renewable energy engineer resumes to see exactly what renewable energy engineer education sections show.

The most common colleges for renewable energy engineers are the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

There are also many online renewable energy engineer courses to help get the education required to be a renewable energy engineer.

What education do you need to become a renewable energy engineer?

What degree do you need to be a renewable energy engineer?

The most common degree for renewable energy engineers is bachelor's degree, with 72% of renewable energy engineers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 20% and master's degree degree at 2%.

Bachelor's, 72%

Master's, 20%

Associate, 2%

Diploma, 2%

Other Degrees, 4%

What should I major in to become a renewable energy engineer?

You should major in electrical engineering to become a renewable energy engineer. 27% of renewable energy engineers major in electrical engineering. Other common majors for a renewable energy engineer include mechanical engineering and construction engineering.

Electrical Engineering, 27%

Mechanical Engineering, 19%

Construction Engineering, 6%

Sustainability, 4%

Other Majors, 44%

Most common colleges for renewable energy engineers

Renewable energy engineers often get their degrees at University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Eastern Michigan University, and University of North Texas. Here are the most common colleges for renewable energy engineers in the US based on their resumes.

Renewable energy engineer common college	Percentages
University of North Carolina at Greensboro	9.52%
Eastern Michigan University	4.76%
University of North Texas	4.76%
Millikin University	4.76%
University of Pennsylvania	4.76%

Show more common renewable energy engineer colleges

Best majors for renewable energy engineers

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Electrical Engineering	27.1%
2	Mechanical Engineering	18.8%
3	Construction Engineering	6.3%
4	Sustainability	4.2%
5	Industrial Engineering	4.2%

Show more common renewable energy engineer majors

Best colleges for renewable energy engineers

The best colleges for renewable energy engineers are Northwestern University, Duke University, and Carnegie Mellon University.

A renewable energy engineer with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for renewable energy engineers. 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 renewable energy engineers.

1. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,695

Enrollment

6,596

2. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

3. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$55,188

Enrollment

15,105

4. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

5. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

6. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

7. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$59,430

Enrollment

8,216

8. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

9. University of Cincinnati

Cincinnati, OH • Private

In-state tuition

$11,000

Enrollment

25,973

10. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,465

Enrollment

6,483

20 best online courses for renewable energy engineers

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1. Solar Energy for Engineers, Architects and Code Inspectors

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2. Renewable Energy: Fundamentals and Job Opportunities

This course prepares you to recognize the complexities and nuances of different renewable energy solutions, as well as relevant career opportunities (both technical occupations and roles not typically associated with clean energy). Learners are immersed in discussions about green energy technologies, the impact of sustainability on society, energy consumption in the United States and conservation. Topics include: tenets of green building design and construction, solar energy conversion through...

3. Construction Project Scheduling

4.5

(346)

Learn the tools and techniques used by construction management professionals to ensure projects finish on time...

4. Mastering Construction/Project Management

4.2

(659)

Mastering Construction-Project Management in less than 10 Hours...

5. Renewable Energy

This specialization is for learners wanting a thorough understanding of renewable energy concepts, tools, and applications. This knowledge can be employed to advance in your current work, to move into the renewable energy field, and to promote sustainability at home and in your community. New technologies, new market structures, and new business models make renewable energy a dynamic, entrepreneurial, and exciting field. This specialization focuses on pragmatic and fact-based information,...

6. Diploma in Basics of Civil Engineering for Construction

4.3

(294)

Practical Course to Gain Quick Knowledge in Civil Engineering & Get Entry Level Jobs in Construction as Freshers...

7. Construction Procurement Management

4.5

(300)

A course on procurement designed for engineers new to the infrastructure/construction industry...

8. The Complete 2022 PV Solar Energy PVsyst, Excel & AutoCAD

4.1

(1,703)

Your solar Energy guide to design any Grid-tie & Off-grid Photovoltaic Solar Energy with software , layouts & manuals...

9. Advanced Renewable Energy Financial Modeling

4.6

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

10. Contracts Management in Construction Projects

4.3

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12. Financial modeling Renewable Energy: Solar & Wind

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13. Complete 2023 PV Solar Energy PVSol Premium,Excel,PVsyst

4.5

(477)

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14. OFF-GRID Solar Energy Systems: Design and Operation - 2023

4.6

(1,000)

[HIGHEST RATED] Taught by an Energy Engineer - Online Certificate - The Latest Technologies - Design Examples & Diagrams...

15. The Complete Guide to Construction Management

4.2

(692)

The Most Essential Course for EVERY Construction Project!...

16. Construction Delay Analysis Techniques (Incl. TIA) - MSP

4.8

(272)

MS Project Based Construction Delay Analysis Training By N.M.Raj, An Internationally Renowned Claims Consultant...

17. Construction Methodology Basics in Civil Engineering

4.5

(1,001)

New Home Construction & Building construction along with Home Repair ,Estimation & Plumbing With Video Step By Step...

18. PMP® Renewal-14 PDUs for PMP: Basic Project Management Math

4.6

(1,430)

PMP Certification Renewal: Earn 14 PDUs to Renew Your PMP Certification. Learn Basic Project Management Math Concepts...

19. Construction Cost Estimating and Management

4.6

(642)

Learn the tools used by construction management professionals to ensure their projects finish under budget...

20. Construction Claims Management - (9 PDUs)

4.3

(302)

Construction Claims Management ... Step-by-step from Definition to Submital...

Top 10 most affordable universities for renewable energy engineers

The most affordable schools for renewable energy engineers are University of Florida, brigham young university, and california state university - long beach.

If the best universities for renewable energy engineers 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 renewable energy engineers.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

2. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

3. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

4. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

5. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

6. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon

Bayamon, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,940

Cost of attendance

13,508

7. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

8. California State University - Sacramento

Sacramento, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,310

Cost of attendance

19,807

9. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

10. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for renewable energy engineers

The hardest universities for renewable energy engineers to get into are Northwestern University, Duke University, and Carnegie Mellon University.

Some great schools for renewable energy engineers 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 renewable energy engineers 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

SAT average

1,508

2. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,516

3. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

4. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,512

5. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,497

6. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

7. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,471

8. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,520

9. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

10. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for renewable energy engineers

The easiest schools for renewable energy engineers to get into are Oregon Institute of Technology, south dakota state university, and cleveland state university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a renewable energy engineer 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 renewable energy engineers.

1. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

2. South Dakota State University

Brookings, SD • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,149

3. Cleveland State University

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,111

4. University of Nevada - Las Vegas

Las Vegas, NV • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

1,113

5. Suffolk University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

85%

SAT average

1,131

6. Capitol Technology University

Laurel, MD • Private

Admissions rate

69%

SAT average

1,070

7. Pennsylvania State University - Berks

Reading, PA • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,107

8. The University of Texas at El Paso

El Paso, TX • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,035

9. University of Southern Maine

Portland, ME • Private

Admissions rate

85%

SAT average

1,050

10. Ferris State University

Big Rapids, MI • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

1,070

Average renewable energy engineer salary by education level

Renewable energy engineers with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $122,611 annually. With a Master's degree, renewable energy engineers earn a median annual income of $109,127 compared to $95,280 for renewable energy engineers with an Bachelor's degree.

Renewable energy engineer education level	Renewable energy engineer salary
Master's Degree	$109,127
Bachelor's Degree	$95,280
Doctorate Degree	$122,611

Renewable energy engineer education FAQs

What is the best college for Renewable Energy Engineers?

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Updated January 8, 2025

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.

Updated January 8, 2025

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