Post job

Wind turbine engineer education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a wind turbine engineer. Wind turbine engineers usually study mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or education. 46% of wind turbine engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 26% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 61 real wind turbine engineer resumes to see exactly what wind turbine engineer education sections show.

The most common colleges for wind turbine engineers are the Dakota State University and the Dakota State University.

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

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

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

The most common degree for wind turbine engineers is bachelor's degree, with 46% of wind turbine engineers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 26% and associate degree degree at 21%.
  • Bachelor's, 46%
  • Associate, 26%
  • Master's, 21%
  • High School Diploma, 3%
  • Other Degrees, 4%

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

You should major in mechanical engineering to become a wind turbine engineer. 30% of wind turbine engineers major in mechanical engineering. Other common majors for a wind turbine engineer include electrical engineering and education.

Most common colleges for wind turbine engineers

Wind turbine engineers often get their degrees at Dakota State University, University of Washington, and New York University. Here are the most common colleges for wind turbine engineers in the US based on their resumes.
Wind turbine engineer common collegePercentages
Dakota State University10.53%
University of Washington5.26%
New York University5.26%
Maine Maritime Academy5.26%
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff5.26%

Best majors for wind turbine engineers

Best colleges for wind turbine engineers

The best colleges for wind turbine engineers are Northwestern University, Columbia University in the City of New York, and University of Pennsylvania.

A wind turbine 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 turbine 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 turbine engineers.

1. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

3. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$59,430

Enrollment

8,216

4. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

In-state tuition

$53,740

Enrollment

5,567

5. Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$18,454

Enrollment

40,108

6. SUNY at Buffalo

Buffalo, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$10,099

Enrollment

21,404

7. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

8. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

9. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Enrollment

31,503

10. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

20 best online courses for wind turbine engineers

Advertising disclosure

1. Wind resources for renewable energies

coursera

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...

2. Renewable Power and Electricity Systems

coursera

The energy revolution in underway. Renewable energy is growing at an astounding pace - notably in electricity. Wind turbines and solar photovoltaic (PV) systems account for most new power plants built worldwide, and are essential to building a low-carbon and sustainable energy future. As a result, there are countless new opportunities in renewable electricity. This course provides a solid grounding in the basics of renewable electricity. We'll start with how electricity is measured, how...

3. Ultimate Electricity Generation, HV, and Substations Bundle

udemy
4.7
(681)

This electrical engineering bundle consists of electrical substations, high voltage, and electricity generation courses...

4. Financial modeling Renewable Energy: Solar & Wind

udemy
4
(924)

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

5. Hydro, Wind & Solar power: Resources, Variability & Forecast

coursera

The development of hydro, wind and solar power is growing strongly with as one objective to limit and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. All these renewable energies are intermittent with more or less strong variability. This course provides the basis for estimating the resource of these different modes of production and understanding the physical causes of intermittency and seasonal variability. The different modes of electricity production are detailed as well as the sensitivity induced by...

6. Electrical Power Engineering Principles

udemy
4.7
(1,112)

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

7. Electricity for Electronics, Electrical Engineering A-Z 2023

udemy
4.5
(273)

Fundamentals of Electricity & Electric Circuits for Electronics - Circuit Design - Electrical Engineering...

8. Product Development & Systems Engineering

udemy
4.6
(3,086)

The complete Product Development & Systems Engineering course! Earn 25 contact hours AND prepare to take the INCOSE Exam...

9. Electric Circuits for Electrical Engineering and Electronics

udemy
4.5
(593)

Start your career in electrical & electronics engineering by learning everything about electric circuits and electronics...

10. Reliability and Maintenance Engineering - FMEA

udemy
4
(533)

Failure Mode and Effects Analysis - A mechanical engineering approach to risk management of plant and machinery...

11. OSHA Control of Hazardous Energy and Lock Out / Tag Out

udemy
4.5
(528)

OSHA required training under 29 CFR 1910 and 1926...

12. Railway Systems Engineering (Equivalent to Micro MSc )

udemy
4.3
(377)

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

13. Complete Etap course for Power Electrical Engineering

udemy
4.5
(338)

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

14. Computer Hardware, Operating System and Networking

udemy
4.1
(314)

For Any Graduates/Engineering/Diploma/Arts & Science/Freshers/Home Users/Individuals/Desktop Support/FM/Service Engineer...

15. Electrical Engineering Simulations with Etap

udemy
4.1
(782)

Guide in designing, and simulating power circuits, motor and transformer related circuitry using etap...

16. Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering Explained

udemy
4.8
(1,152)

Learn how things work! Boilers, engines, valves, transformers, pumps, learn it all in this constantly growing course!...

17. OSHA Safety Pro: Deadly Concrete Dust. Crystalline Silica.

udemy
4.4
(478)

OSHA's General, Construction, and Maritime Industries Hazard Prevention and Safety Standard...

18. MATLAB/Simulink - Simulink Course for Electrical Engineering

udemy
4.3
(744)

Learn basics of MATLAB Simulink to simulate different electric components in MATLAB Simulink for electrical engineering...

19. Electrical Control & Protection Systems

udemy
4.6
(1,763)

This course introduces electrical control & protection systems which are a critical part of any electrical substation...

20. Diesel Engine Fundamentals (Mechanical Engineering)

udemy
4.6
(374)

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

Top 10 most affordable universities for wind turbine engineers

The most affordable schools for wind turbine engineers are California State University - Long Beach, baruch college of the city university of new york, and suny farmingdale.

If the best universities for wind turbine 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 turbine engineers.

1. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

2. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

3. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

4. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

5. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

6. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

7. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

8. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

9. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

10. Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$4,831

Cost of attendance

19,559

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for wind turbine engineers

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

Some great schools for wind turbine 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 turbine 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. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

4. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

5. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

6. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

7. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

8. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

9. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

10. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

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

The easiest schools for wind turbine engineers to get into are Notre Dame College, capitol technology university, and mount saint mary's university.

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

1. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

2. Capitol Technology University

Laurel, MD • Private

Admissions rate

69%

SAT average

1,070

3. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

4. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

5. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

6. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

7. Felician University

Lodi, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

999

8. Ottawa University

Ottawa, KS • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,024

9. Texas A&M University - Kingsville

Kingsville, TX • Private

Admissions rate

89%

SAT average

1,035

10. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

Average wind turbine engineer salary by education level

According to our data, wind turbine engineers with a Doctorate degree earn the highest average salary, at $94,178 annually. Wind turbine engineers with a Master's degree earn an average annual salary of $89,711.
Wind turbine engineer education levelWind turbine engineer salary
Master's Degree$89,711
Bachelor's Degree$83,241
Doctorate Degree$94,178

Wind turbine engineer education FAQs

Search for wind turbine engineer jobs

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.

Browse architecture and engineering jobs