by our College Data Analytics Team
[Energy Systems](/majors/engineering-technologies/energy-systems/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong energy systems education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 34 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for energy systems students.
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Where you study energy systems affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Energy Systems Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Learn more about our methodology
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Energy Systems Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the energy systems degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in energy systems, no school beat Williamson College Of The Trades this year. Williamson College Of The Trades is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Media. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,611. Williamson College Of The Trades admits about 22% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in energy systems will find it at South Georgia Technical College, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Americus, South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,992, while out-of-state students pay about $7,202. Typical student debt for energy systems graduates is $10,423. Early-career energy systems graduates make about $40,497. Set against $10,423 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at West Georgia Technical College earned it the #3 place for energy systems. West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,410, while out-of-state students pay about $5,978. Typical student debt for energy systems graduates is $12,651. Early-career energy systems graduates make about $39,922. That is a strong return on a $12,651 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes North Georgia Technical College one of the best values for energy systems. Set in the rural area of Clarkesville, North Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,330 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,898 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,279 to complete the energy systems program here. Soon after graduation, energy systems degree recipients from North Georgia Technical College generally make around $34,133. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in energy systems will find it at Central New Mexico Community College, which ranked #5. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Typical student debt for energy systems graduates is $10,112. Early-career energy systems graduates make about $34,751. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gateway Community And Technical College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value energy systems schools. Gateway Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Florence. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Energy Systems graduates carry a median of $11,611 in student loans. Soon after graduation, energy systems degree recipients from Gateway Community And Technical College generally make around $46,993. That is a strong return on a $11,611 median debt.
Ashland Community And Technical College landed the #7 spot for energy systems value this year. Ashland Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Ashland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Students borrow a median of $13,485 to complete the energy systems program here. Early-career energy systems graduates make about $27,379. That is a strong return on a $13,485 median debt.
Central Community College came in at #8 for value in energy systems this year. Set in the city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,360 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,800. Energy Systems graduates carry a median of $10,277 in student loans. Early-career energy systems graduates make about $43,218. That is a strong return on a $10,277 median debt.
Cuny Laguardia Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value energy systems schools. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,218, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. Energy Systems graduates carry a median of $8,858 in student loans. Early-career energy systems graduates make about $31,437. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cleveland State Community College placed #10 among the best values for energy systems. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,762, compared with $17,746 for out-of-state students. Energy Systems graduates carry a median of $8,742 in student loans. Early-career energy systems graduates make about $40,513. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Foothill College earned the #11 position for value in energy systems this year. Foothill College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $1,565, compared with $12,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,595 to complete the energy systems program here. Soon after graduation, energy systems degree recipients from Foothill College generally make around $94,152. That is a strong return on a $11,595 median debt.
Ivy Tech Community College placed #12 among the best values for energy systems. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Typical student debt for energy systems graduates is $11,889. Soon after graduation, energy systems degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $40,734. Set against $11,889 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ogeechee Technical College earned the #13 position for value in energy systems this year. Set in the town of Statesboro, Ogeechee Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,388, with out-of-state students paying around $5,956. Energy Systems graduates carry a median of $11,894 in student loans. Early-career energy systems graduates make about $35,521. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Colby Community College earned the #14 position for value in energy systems this year. Set in the town of Colby, Colby Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,140 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,830 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,796 to complete the energy systems program here. Soon after graduation, energy systems degree recipients from Colby Community College generally make around $40,598. Set against $14,796 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Colorado Mountain College placed #15 among the best values for energy systems. Set in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,616, compared with $12,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for energy systems graduates is $12,953. Soon after graduation, energy systems degree recipients from Colorado Mountain College generally make around $48,694. Set against $12,953 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Redwoods placed #16 among the best values for energy systems. Set in the rural area of Eureka, College Of The Redwoods is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,196, compared with $8,852 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the energy systems program here. Early-career energy systems graduates make about $98,703. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ferris State University placed #17 among the best values for energy systems. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,778. Typical student debt for energy systems graduates is $20,308. Early-career energy systems graduates make about $67,764. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Southeast Community College Area ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value energy systems schools. Located in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,444, compared with $4,032 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the energy systems program here. Soon after graduation, energy systems degree recipients from Southeast Community College Area generally make around $104,847. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Indian Hills Community College placed #19 among the best values for energy systems. Set in the town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Typical student debt for energy systems graduates is $15,390. Energy Systems graduates of Indian Hills Community College earn a median of $49,626 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Escuela Tecnica De Electricidad came in at #20 for value in energy systems this year. Escuela Tecnica De Electricidad is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Ponce. Energy Systems graduates carry a median of $3,814 in student loans. Energy Systems graduates of Escuela Tecnica De Electricidad earn a median of $22,256 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Augusta Technical College earned the #21 position for value in energy systems this year. Set in the city of Augusta, Augusta Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,282, while out-of-state students pay about $7,492. Typical student debt for energy systems graduates is $11,400. Energy Systems graduates of Augusta Technical College earn a median of $41,892 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,400 median debt.
Suny College At Buffalo earned the #22 position for value in energy systems this year. Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Buffalo. Students from in state pay about $8,533 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,653. Typical student debt for energy systems graduates is $25,257. Early-career energy systems graduates make about $39,412. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Buffalo admits about 73% of applicants.
Valencia College placed #23 among the best values for energy systems. Valencia College is a very large public school located in the city of Orlando. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,664, compared with $9,576 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for energy systems graduates is $14,413. Soon after graduation, energy systems degree recipients from Valencia College generally make around $42,786. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Heartland Community College landed the #24 spot for energy systems value this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Heartland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $13,110. Typical student debt for energy systems graduates is $13,266. Soon after graduation, energy systems degree recipients from Heartland Community College generally make around $48,710. That is a strong return on a $13,266 median debt.
Los Angeles Trade Technical College placed #25 among the best values for energy systems. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Trade Technical College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,238 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,572. Students borrow a median of $14,833 to complete the energy systems program here. Energy Systems graduates of Los Angeles Trade Technical College earn a median of $53,553 early in their careers. Set against $14,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in energy systems:
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Energy Systems. Browse the parent area of study.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Energy Systems Technology/Technician | 458 |
| Solar Energy Technology/Technician | 232 |
| Power Plant Technology/Technician | 61 |
| Wind Energy Technology/Technician | 32 |
View All Energy Systems Concentrations >
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.