Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians: is it worth it?
A 0–100 score blending this major’s national earnings, ROI and typical debt. How it’s scored.
National picture across 11 college programs, at a typical net price.
Graduate earnings clearly outpace the cost and debt — this degree pays back quickly.
What Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians pays
Career outlook for Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians graduates
The job market for the occupations Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians graduates typically enter, projected through 2034 — from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This is the demand side, complementing the IRS-verified graduate earnings above.
Top jobs for this major
| Occupation | U.S. jobs | Growth to 2034 | Median pay | Typical entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all other | 67,300 | +1.5% | $77,390 | Associate's degree |
| Power plant operators | 31,600 | -11.2% | $99,670 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Commercial and industrial designers | 30,600 | +3.2% | $79,450 | Bachelor's degree |
| Solar photovoltaic installers | 28,600 | +42.1% | $51,860 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay | 23,400 | +5.5% | $100,940 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Wind turbine service technicians | 13,600 | +49.9% | $62,580 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections (2024–34) & the NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk. Occupation pay is the national median wage for the role — not the same as graduate earnings, which we draw from IRS records.
Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians vs similar majors
How Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians stacks up against the closest fields in Engineering Technologies on pay, debt, ROI and the DR Rating. The best figure in each row is highlighted.
| Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians Engineering Technologies · this major | Nuclear Engineering Technology/Technician | Engineering-Related Fields | Construction Engineering Technology/Technician | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DR Rating | 90 A | 97 A | 90 A | 91 A |
| ROI verdict | Strong return | Strong return | Strong return | Strong return |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $84,190 | $132,815 | $109,982 | $89,857 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $75,997 | $101,386 | $89,179 | $71,410 |
| ROI vs cost | +405% | +1,058% | +700% | +461% |
| Typical debt | $15,333 | $10,555 | $25,304 | $22,024 |
| Colleges offering it | 11 | 3 | 52 | 43 |
Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians earnings over time
National median earnings one year after graduating, by cohort year — the consistent measure available across the federal data’s history.
Best colleges for Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians
Ranked by the ROI of this major at each college — its graduate earnings against the cost.
| # | College | Credential | Earnings (5 yr) | Median debt | 10-yr ROI | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, IN | Certificate | $67,111 | — | +2,946% | Strong return |
| 2 | Southeast Community College Area Lincoln, NE | Certificate | $79,997 | $8,750 | +2,732% | Strong return |
| 3 | Idaho State University Pocatello, ID | Certificate | $76,537 | — | +2,487% | Strong return |
| 4 | Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, IN | Certificate | $62,762 | — | +2,347% | Strong return |
| 5 | University of Tulsa Tulsa, OK | Certificate | $169,295 | — | +1,972% | Strong return |
| 6 | Ferris State University Big Rapids, MI | Associate's | $91,184 | $18,750 | +1,818% | Strong return |
| 7 | University of Tulsa Tulsa, OK | Associate's | $96,314 | — | +1,611% | Strong return |
| 8 | Illinois State University Normal, IL | Associate's | $72,771 | — | +616% | Strong return |
| 9 | Appalachian State University Boone, NC | Associate's | $67,517 | — | +569% | Strong return |
| 10 | Oklahoma City University Oklahoma City, OK | Certificate | $86,893 | — | +358% | Strong return |
| 11 | Refrigeration School Inc Phoenix, AZ | Certificate | $55,709 | $18,500 | +217% | Strong return |
Related majors
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.