[Energy Systems Engineering](/majors/engineering/energy-systems-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for energy systems engineering students.
Finding the Best Value Energy Systems Engineering School for You
The energy systems engineering program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Energy Systems Engineering 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.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Energy Systems Engineering 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.
Our analysis ranked University Of Michigan Ann Arbor the best value for a degree in energy systems engineering in the United States. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for energy systems engineering graduates is $19,137. Soon after graduation, energy systems engineering degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $66,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in energy systems engineering will find it at Oregon Institute Of Technology, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Klamath Falls, Oregon Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $13,260 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,196. Energy Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,551 in student loans. Energy Systems Engineering graduates of Oregon Institute Of Technology earn a median of $63,715 early in their careers. Set against $27,551 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Texas Tech University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value energy systems engineering schools. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Energy Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans. Early-career energy systems engineering graduates make about $50,332. That is a strong return on a $24,271 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in energy systems engineering will find it at Massachusetts Maritime Academy, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts Maritime Academy is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,420, while out-of-state students pay about $23,722. Typical student debt for energy systems engineering graduates is $25,884. Early-career energy systems engineering graduates make about $77,139. Set against $25,884 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Dayton is a great value for students pursuing a degree in energy systems engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,140. Energy Systems Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,033 in student loans. Energy Systems Engineering graduates of University Of Dayton earn a median of $56,077 early in their careers. Set against $25,033 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Villanova University earned the #6 position for value in energy systems engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,776. Students borrow a median of $26,184 to complete the energy systems engineering program here. Energy Systems Engineering graduates of Villanova University earn a median of $72,601 early in their careers. Set against $26,184 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Villanova University admits about 27% of applicants.
Narrow Energy Systems Engineering Schools by Region
This ranking is produced 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
[Energy Systems Engineering](/majors/engineering/energy-systems-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
