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Wind energy engineer education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a wind energy engineer. Wind energy engineers usually study mechanical engineering, business, or industrial engineering. 83% of wind energy engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 8% hold an high school diploma. We analyzed 17 real wind energy engineer resumes to see exactly what wind energy engineer education sections show.

The most common colleges for wind energy engineers are the Miracosta College and the Miracosta College.

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

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

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

The most common degree for wind energy engineers is bachelor's degree, with 83% of wind energy engineers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are high school diploma degree at 8% and high school diploma degree at 8%.
  • Bachelor's, 83%
  • High School Diploma, 8%
  • Master's, 8%

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

You should major in mechanical engineering to become a wind energy engineer. 36% of wind energy engineers major in mechanical engineering. Other common majors for a wind energy engineer include business and industrial engineering.

Most common colleges for wind energy engineers

Wind energy engineers often get their degrees at Miracosta College, University of California - Los Angeles, and University of Notre Dame. Here are the most common colleges for wind energy engineers in the US based on their resumes.
Wind energy engineer common collegePercentages
Miracosta College12.50%
University of California - Los Angeles12.50%
University of Notre Dame12.50%
Cornell University12.50%
Pennsylvania State University12.50%

Best majors for wind energy engineers

Best colleges for wind energy engineers

The best colleges for wind energy engineers are Northwestern University, Columbia University in the City of New York, and Johns Hopkins University.

A wind 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 wind 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 wind energy engineers.

1. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

2. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$59,430

Enrollment

8,216

3. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

In-state tuition

$53,740

Enrollment

5,567

4. Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$18,454

Enrollment

40,108

5. Georgia Institute of Technology

Atlanta, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$12,424

Enrollment

15,201

6. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

7. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

8. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$55,188

Enrollment

15,105

9. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,695

Enrollment

6,596

10. University of Cincinnati

Cincinnati, OH • Private

In-state tuition

$11,000

Enrollment

25,973

20 best online courses for wind energy engineers

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1. Sensor Manufacturing and Process Control

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2. Solar Energy for Engineers, Architects and Code Inspectors

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This specialization provides an overview of solar photovoltaics (PV), intricacies of solar system design, and a framework for solar PV project management. Targeted for engineers, HVAC installers, architects and building code inspectors, it is also appropriate for anyone considering a career in the growing renewable energy field of solar power. Courses introduce how PV operates and the anatomy of solar electric systems, the economics of solar power, pros and cons of different systems,...

3. Financial modeling Renewable Energy: Solar & Wind

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4
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Learn how build a financial model for solar plants and wind plants, and help seal renewable energy deals worldwide!...

4. Complete Field Instrumentation Engineering Course

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4.3
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Flow, Level, Temperature and Pressure Instrument - Selection, Sizing, Calculation and Detail Engineering...

5. Engineering Project Management

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Master strategies and tools to more effectively and successfully manage projects.\n\nToday’s professional environment is highly competitive, continuously changing, and difficult to manage. Employees rarely reach positions of leadership without managing one or more projects or a project segment early in their career.\n\nBrought to you by the Rice Center of Engineering Leadership and team behind the engineering management master's program, the goal of this Specialization is to give you the tools...

6. Introduction to Thermodynamics: Transferring Energy from Here to There

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COURSE DESCRIPTION This course provides an introduction to the most powerful engineering principles you will ever learn - Thermodynamics: the science of transferring energy from one place or form to another place or form. We will introduce the tools you need to analyze energy systems from solar panels, to engines, to insulated coffee mugs. More specifically, we will cover the topics of mass and energy conservation principles; first law analysis of control mass and control volume systems;...

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Learn how to implement an energy management system according to ISO 50001...

8. Control Systems: From Mathematical Modelling to PID Control

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Learn the mathematics that will allow you to model and control any engineering system. Make machines do what you want!...

9. Wind resources for renewable energies

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The main goal of this course is to get the necessary knowledge on atmospheric and fluid dynamics in order to quantify the wind resource of a local or regional area. We’ll learn about basic meteorology, the specific dynamics of turbulent boundary layers and some standard techniques to estimate wind resources regardless of the type of turbine used or the level of efficiency achieved. Then, we will see what are the turbines characteristics to consider in order to estimate the electricity...

10. Product Development & Systems Engineering

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11. Unreal Engine: Character Skill System

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12. Diesel Engine Fundamentals (Mechanical Engineering)

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Learn about the diesel engine! Ideal for Automotive Engineering and Automobile Engineering!...

13. Railway Systems Engineering (Equivalent to Micro MSc )

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A Journey in the World of Railway Systems Operation Rolling Stock Traction System Engineering Infrastructure...

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

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

15. Aerospace Engineering: Aircraft Systems and Avionics

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Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering: Master the Systems of Airplanes - Hydraulics, Avionics, Electric, Propulsion...

16. Unreal Engine: Intro to Game Design

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17. Requirements Engineering: Software Engineering

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Everything you need to know about software requirements: elicitation, analysis, documentation, validation and management...

18. The Ultimate Git Course - with Applications in Unreal Engine

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Learn Git and Git Hub, Version Control for Unreal Engine C++ Projects, and More!...

19. Electrical Power Engineering Principles

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Learn all the basic theories and principles of electrical engineering...

20. Complete Etap course for Power Electrical Engineering

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The easiest way to become a Pro Designer in Electrical Power Systems using Etap from scratch!...

Top 10 most affordable universities for wind energy engineers

The most affordable schools for wind energy engineers are University of Florida, florida international university, and california state university - long beach.

If the best universities for wind 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 wind energy engineers.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

2. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

3. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

4. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

5. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

6. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

7. University of Central Florida

Orlando, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,368

Cost of attendance

21,034

8. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

Socorro, NM • Private

In-state tuition

$7,770

Cost of attendance

21,244

9. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

10. California State University - Fullerton

Fullerton, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,886

Cost of attendance

17,645

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for wind energy engineers

The hardest universities for wind energy engineers to get into are Northwestern University, Columbia University in the City of New York, and Johns Hopkins University.

Some great schools for wind 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 wind 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

8%

SAT average

1,508

2. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

3. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

4. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

5. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

6. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,471

7. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

Admissions rate

9%

SAT average

1,516

8. Yale University

New Haven, CT • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,517

9. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

10. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

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

The easiest schools for wind energy engineers to get into are Oregon Institute of Technology, adventhealth university, and texas a&m; university - kingsville.

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

1. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

2. AdventHealth University

Orlando, FL • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,016

3. Texas A&M University - Kingsville

Kingsville, TX • Private

Admissions rate

89%

SAT average

1,035

4. The University of Texas at El Paso

El Paso, TX • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,035

5. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

6. Capitol Technology University

Laurel, MD • Private

Admissions rate

69%

SAT average

1,070

7. Portland State University

Portland, OR • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

1,111

8. Pennsylvania State University - DuBois

DuBois, PA • Private

Admissions rate

85%

SAT average

1,079

9. Cleveland State University

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,111

10. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

Average wind energy engineer salary by education level

Wind energy engineers with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $94,002 annually. With a Master's degree, wind energy engineers earn a median annual income of $88,708 compared to $82,722 for wind energy engineers with an Bachelor's degree.
Wind energy engineer education levelWind energy engineer salary
Master's Degree$88,708
Bachelor's Degree$82,722
Doctorate Degree$94,002

Wind energy engineer 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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