Compare 5 Solar Energy Technology/Technician. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $70,940. Top programs: $94,131+.
With top graduates earning $94,131, Solar Energy Technology/Technician stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $23K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige. Across 5 ranked programs nationally, outcomes track program quality, not school reputation.
The University of Findlay leads with Solar Energy Technology/Technician graduates earning $94,131—well above the $70,940 national average across ranked programs. The regional public Appalachian State University places third at $69,956, outpacing what many would assume are stronger institutional brands. Program-level factors, not school prestige, are driving these outcomes.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. The University of Findlay graduates borrow $25,439 in student loans and face just a 4.9% payment burden, landing firmly in the 'Excellent' category. When parent loans enter the picture, the family burden rises to 11.6%—still 'Good'—meaning loan payments take a modest bite out of post-grad income at the top-ranked program.
Highest program earnings: $94,131
Strong outcomes ($94,131) with 83% acceptance rate
4.9% payment burden | Excellent
11.6% family burden | Good
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | The University Of FindlayPrivate | $94,131 | 7 | $25,439 | Excellent | $30,702 | Good |
| #2 | $84,755 | 11 | $26,778 | Excellent | $35,625 | Manageable | |
| #3 | $69,956 | 56 | $20,231 | Excellent | $21,919 | Manageable | |
| #4 | $66,491 | 15 | $20,121 | Excellent | $23,000 | Manageable | |
| #5 | Methodist UniversityPrivate | $39,369 | 10 | — | — | — | — |
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 →
