Compare 30 Bioenergy. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $53,094. Top programs: $82,315+.
With top graduates earning $82,315, Bioenergy stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $29K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige. Across 30 ranked programs, outcomes track program quality, not school reputation. [Learn how to evaluate programs beyond school prestige →](https://collegeazimuth.com/blog/how-to-evaluate-programs)
Topping the list, California State University-Bakersfield's Bioenergy program delivers $82,315 in median earnings—well above the $53,094 field average. West Virginia University follows at $75,022 and the University of Rhode Island at $72,311. All three are regional public universities, and all three outperform many more widely recognized schools. The data makes the case plainly: prestige doesn't predict outcomes here.
Debt burden separates good programs from great deals. SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry graduates borrow just $11,000 and face a 3.5% payment burden—an 'Excellent' GPS affordability rating meaning loan payments are easily absorbed by post-grad income. For families weighing parent loans, CSU-Bakersfield leads with a 6.2% combined family burden, also rated 'Excellent'—the lowest across all 30 programs.
Highest program earnings: $82,315
Strong outcomes ($82,315) with 94% acceptance
3.5% payment burden | Excellent
6.2% family burden | Excellent
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $82,315 | 9 | $16,600 | Excellent | $9,000 | Excellent | |
| #2 | West Virginia UniversityPublic | $75,022 | 26 | $22,500 | Excellent | $32,980 | Manageable |
| #3 | $72,311 | 16 | $22,250 | Excellent | $28,000 | Manageable | |
| #4 | $71,279 | 16 | $26,814 | Excellent | $36,545 | Challenging | |
| #5 | $68,965 | 127 | $18,500 | Excellent | $35,000 | Manageable | |
| #6 | $68,913 | 29 | $23,250 | Excellent | $37,401 | Challenging | |
| #7 | $65,604 | 36 | $11,000 | Excellent | $11,551 | Excellent | |
| #8 | Everglades UniversityPrivate | $61,850 | 15 | $38,996 | Manageable | $12,350 | Challenging |
| #9 | Marist UniversityPrivate | $58,610 | 13 | $25,000 | Good | $51,958 | High |
| #10 | $54,665 | 12 | $17,804 | Excellent | $32,258 | Challenging | |
| #11 | $53,934 | 35 | $25,000 | Good | $30,473 | High | |
| #12 | $53,788 | 16 | $22,750 | Good | $39,759 | High | |
| #13 | $53,642 | 85 | $21,503 | Good | $14,012 | Manageable | |
| #14 | $53,620 | 10 | $25,000 | Good | $25,947 | Challenging | |
| #15 | $52,941 | 38 | $18,500 | Good | $30,988 | Challenging | |
| #16 | Oregon State UniversityPublic | $52,730 | 114 | $21,221 | Good | $28,923 | Challenging |
| #17 | $52,570 | 19 | $23,199 | Good | $14,621 | Challenging | |
| #18 | $52,528 | 68 | $19,976 | Good | $25,868 | Challenging | |
| #19 | $52,242 | 35 | $21,500 | Good | $25,294 | Challenging | |
| #20 | $50,173 | 58 | $20,500 | Good | $25,645 | Challenging | |
| #21 | $49,834 | 27 | $21,868 | Good | $18,241 | Challenging | |
| #22 | $48,942 | 29 | $17,622 | Good | $18,946 | Challenging | |
| #23 | $46,540 | 28 | $21,024 | Manageable | $13,218 | Challenging | |
| #24 | $44,384 | 7 | — | — | — | — | |
| #25 | Auburn UniversityPublic | $40,076 | 35 | $21,000 | Manageable | $43,605 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
