Key Takeaways:
- Our #1 ranking school for an online renewable energy program is Arizona State University, followed by Bellevue University.
- Online renewable energy programs offer a blend of technical and business education, essential for future energy consultants and managers.
- These programs provide flexible learning options for professionals, with courses on solar energy, sustainability practices, and energy policy.
In this ranking, we explore the top 10 online bachelor’s in renewable energy programs available today. Data and information required to develop this ranking were gathered from College Navigator as well as from each program’s website. In cases of a tie, the more affordable programs were awarded the higher ranking.
Ranking Methodology for Renewable Energy Degree Programs
Tuition Points:
Featured Programs
- Under $20,000—1 point
- Under $15,000—2 points
- Under $10,000—3 points
- Under $5,000—4 points
Customization Options:
- Format Customizations (e.g. Hybrid/Online, Full-time/Part-Time, Accelerated, Degree Completion, etc.)—1 Point Per Customization Option
- Content Customizations (e.g. Minors, Concentrations, Specializations, etc.)—1 Point Per Customization Option (5-point cap)
Wow Factor:
- 1 point awarded for each unique feature or program that “wowed” us
Finding the Right Renewable Energy Degree Online
#1 –Arizona State University
Online Bachelor of Science in Sustainability
Website
Points: 6
Arizona State University’s online bachelor’s degree in renewable energy is a 120-credit-hour interdisciplinary offering consisting of 40 general education and core classes. The program features three distinct tracks: Sustainable Energy, Materials, and Technology, Economics of Stability, and Sustainable Ecosystems.
Featured courses include Professional Skills in Sustainability Practice, The Economics of Sustainability, International Development and Sustainability, and Sustainable Food and Farms. In addition to this online bachelor’s degree in renewable energy program, ASU also offers an online BA in Sustainability.
In-State Tuition: $10,792
#2—Bellevue University
Online Bachelor of Science in Sustainability Management
Website
Points: 5
Bellevue University offers a 127-credit-hour online bachelor’s degree in renewable energy delivered via a cohort model. The program’s curriculum is broad and covers topics such as urban development, wind technologies, land management, water resources, biofuels and bioenergy, solar technologies, and more.
Specific course topics include Current Trends in Energy Technology, Leadership in Sustainability, and Regulation, Policy, and Governance of Sustainable Systems. Students are also permitted 51 credit hours of electives, allowing for some degree of content customization. Bellevue University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission to award this online bachelor’s degree in renewable energy.
In-State Tuition: $7,752
#3—Bismarck State College
Online Bachelor of Applied Science in Energy Management
Website
Points: 5
Bismarck State College’s online bachelor’s degree in renewable energy is a unique Bachelor of Applied Science in Energy Management. Offered through the school’s National Energy Center of Excellence, the program takes four years to complete and covers topics such as communications, facility management, workforce safety, energy markets, and emerging energy technologies.
Graduates of this online bachelor’s degree in renewable energy are qualified for positions as industrial managers, management consultants, power/process managers, operations managers, and more.
In-State Tuition: $3,832
#4—University of Wisconsin
Online Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Management
Website
Points: 4
The University of Wisconsin offers an online bachelor’s degree in renewable energy, a 63-credit-hour bachelor’s degree completion program. The curriculum is fully prescribed and consists of 21 courses, including titles such as Energy for Sustainable Management, Economics in Society and Sustainability, Marketing for a Sustainable World, and Natural Resource Management.
During their final semester, online bachelor’s degree renewable energy students will complete a capstone experience during which they can apply their newfound knowledge to a real-world setting.
In-State Tuition: $6,750
#5 –Arkansas State University
Online Bachelor of Applied Science: Renewable Energy Technology
Website
Points: 3
The online bachelor’s degree in renewable energy offered by Arkansas State University is an online Bachelor of Applied Science with an emphasis in Renewable Energy Technology. Enrolled students, many of whom already hold a Bachelor’s in Applied Science, take 35 credit hours of general education requirements and 15 credit hours in the renewable energy emphasis.
Major courses include Fundamental Applications of Renewable Energy, Advanced Bioenergy, Energy Conservation and Efficiency, and Wind Energy Technology. This online bachelor’s degree in renewable energy can be completed entirely online.
In-State Tuition: $8,478
#6—Franklin University
Online Bachelor of Science in Energy Management
Website
Points: 3
Franklin University offers an online bachelor’s degree in renewable energy and a 124-semester-hour BS in Energy Management. The program’s curriculum merges business and technical concepts, so there is a heavy business core consisting of classes like Managerial Accounting, Business Law, and Marketing.
The major requires classes such as Introduction to the Energy Industry, The Legal and Ethical Environment of the Energy Industry, and Energy Finance. An Energy Management Strategy Capstone project is also required.
Graduates of this online bachelor’s degree in renewable energy program are qualified for positions as energy consultants, entrepreneurs, or managers.
In-State Tuition: $12,241
#7 –Penn State University- World Campus
Online Bachelor of Arts in Energy and Sustainability Policy
Website
Points: 3
The online bachelor’s degree in renewable energy from Penn State University-World Campus is a unique online BA in Energy and Sustainability Policy. The 120-credit-hour program is interdisciplinary and emphasizes communication and the humanities.
The curriculum includes required courses such as Energy in a Changing World, Energy Conservation for Environmental Protection, Human Dimensions of Global Warming, and Energy and Sustainability in Society.
This online bachelor’s degree renewable energy offering graduates find entry-level positions in various settings, including government agencies, energy trade groups, non-profit organizations, and regulatory and advocacy bodies.
In-State Tuition: $13,988
#8—Excelsior College
Online Bachelor of Professional Studies in Technology Management: Renewable Energy Technology
Website
Points: 2
The online bachelor’s degree in renewable energy from Excelsior College is a transfer-friendly Bachelor of Professional Studies in Technology Management with a concentration in Renewable Energy Technology designed for working professionals.
The 120-credit-hour program consists of a Technology Management core comprised of classes like Technology and Society, Engineering Economics, and Introduction to Energy Utilization. Enrolled students will also take courses in the concentration, such as AC/DC Theory, Applied Instrumentation and Control, and Electrical Power Distribution.
Excelsior College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education to award this online bachelor’s degree in renewable energy.
In-State Tuition: $15,000
#9 –Everglades University
Online Bachelor of Science in Land and Energy Management
Website
Points: 2
Everglades University’s comprehensive, 123-credit hour online bachelor’s degree renewable energy program prepares students for entry-level positions in land and energy management and renewable energy resource development.
Enrolled students will take 30 credits of general education classes and required major courses such as Solar Energy and Photovoltaics; Energy and the Environment; Geothermal Energy; and Oil, Gas, and Energy Geopolitics & Law.
A capstone course is also required prior to graduation. Most students complete this online bachelor’s degree in renewable energy program within 41 months.
In-State Tuition: $18,320
#10 –Southern New Hampshire University
Online Bachelor of Geoscience: Natural Resources and Conservation
Website
Points: 1
The online bachelor’s degree in renewable energy from Southern New Hampshire University is technically a BS in Geosciences with a concentration in Natural Resources and Conservation. This 120-credit offering consists of a general education requirement and courses in the major such as Waste: Sources, Reduction, and Remediation; Energy and Society; Global Climate Change; and Environmental Issues.
A Geosciences Capstone is also required. Graduates of this online bachelor’s degree in renewable energy may find employment as environmental chemists, industrial ecologists, environmental health specialists, environmental restoration planners, and more.
In-State Tuition: $31,136
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Bachelor’s Renewable Energy Programs
Q: How long does earning an online bachelor’s degree in renewable energy take?
A: The duration of your online bachelor’s degree in renewable energy program will be approximately four years of full-time study. However, the amount of time it takes to complete an online bachelor’s degree can vary.
For example, if you choose to study part-time, completing your degree could take you longer than four years. You could finish in less than four years if you find an accelerated online bachelor’s degree in renewable energy.
Q: Can I complete an online bachelor’s degree in renewable energy degree entirely online?
A: Yes. In fact, most of the online bachelor’s degree renewable energy programs highlighted in this ranking can be completed without ever attending campus.
Other online programs do require campus visits, though, for orientation, exams, review sessions, practicums, and the like, so it’s essential to confirm with the online bachelor’s degree in renewable energy school that you choose that the program delivery is 100% online.
Q: What types of jobs can I qualify for with an online bachelor’s degree in renewable energy?
A: Online bachelor’s renewable energy degree programs can prepare graduates for work in various positions in the energy industry. These include sustainability specialists, environmental restoration planners, industrial ecologists, climate change analysts, energy consultants, operations managers, and more.
Q: Will I get a job with an online bachelor’s in renewable energy?
A: It’s likely. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in the sustainability and environmental science fields are growing as people become more aware of the limited nature of our natural resources and issues like global warming, pollution, and overpopulation, for instance.
To illustrate, jobs for environmental specialists and scientists are projected to grow by 11% from 2016 to 2026. That’s faster than the average for all occupations in the United States.
Schools That Offer Online Master’s in Renewable Energy Programs
Some students who complete their online bachelor’s degree in renewable energy programs continue their studies in an online master’s program in alternative energy or sustainability. Here are some of the options available to you should you decide to go this route:
Pennsylvania State University-World Campus
Online Master of Professional Studies in Renewable Energy and Sustainability Systems
University of Denver
Online Master of Environmental Policy and Management: Energy and Sustainability
Wilmington University
Online Environmental Sustainability MBA
University of Wisconsin
Online Master of Science in Sustainable Management
CVO Staff
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