Top Business Schools for Energy and Natural Resources 2024

For a career in renewable energy, an MBA from Haas is hard to beat. MBA graduates from the school have gone on to work for companies like NextEra Energy and other renewable-oriented firms. The school offers a unique MBA in Energy and Clean Technology, through which students will learn about this emerging industry and may also be able take part in experiential learning activities.

Although the school doesn't have an official MBA in Energy, a substantial portion of graduates go into the energy field. The campus' proximity to oil giants like Shell Oil and ExxonMobil means that these companies—as well as other energy firms—recruit substantially from the school.

Given the importance and drive to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, Strathclyde has recently launched a unique MBA in Sustainable Energy Futures, which was developed jointly with partners in the energy industry. The course looks at a number of topics and promises to help students address the emerging challenges ahead. 

Although it’s in oil-rich Texas, McCombs offers a very unique MBA concentration in CleanTech, which prepares students for management roles in the renewable energy industry or related areas like emissions abatement. Alternatively, energy-minded students at McCombs can pursue a concentration in Energy Finance. With UT Austin’s School of Law, McCombs hosts the Kay Bailey Hutchison Energy Center, which explores the energy industry through the lenses of business, law, and politics. 

The state of Oklahoma is one of the top producers of natural gas and oil in the US, and Price is helping grads tap into these industries with a number of specialized MBA offerings, including an Executive MBA in Energy. The school places full-time MBA grads into firms like ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil, and Devon Energy.

As part of UNC’s MBA, students can pursue a concentration in Energy, which, uniquely, explores a wide range of aspects of the energy industry, including renewables, oil, and power. The school also hosts an “Energy Center,” which produces up-to-date research and ensures that students have access to cutting-edge energy insights. Energy-minded students can also choose to be part of the “Energy Club.”

In recent years, Fuqua has launched a range of energy-related MBA offerings, including a concentration in Energy & Environment and one in Energy Finance, as well as a three-year offering that combines an MBA with a Master of Environmental Management. The school’s Center for Energy, Development, and the Global Environment seeks to help businesses how to meet energy demands sustainably. Typically, some three to five percent of Duke MBAs go into the energy sector and related fields. Firms like ExxonMobil, GE, Pacific Gas & Electric, and NRG have all scooped up Fuqua grads in the recent past.

One of the largest energy centers in the world, Houston is home to dozens of global oil and gas companies. It's also home to the Jones Graduate School of Business, which in recent years has sent up to 13 percent of its full-time MBA class into the energy sector; one of the highest percentages of all schools surveyed by FIND MBA. The school offers an MBA specialization in Energy, which is ideal for technical-minded students looking to build management skills and transition into the energy sector. Jones MBA students can also join the “Energy Association,” a student-led club that puts on events and provides networking opportunities in the energy field. 

The energy industry is a very important part of Houston, and the school’s Gutierrez Energy Management Institute serves as a hub for important research into the energy business. As part of the well-regarded MBA program, students have the option to pursue energy-related certificates, in topics such as energy finance and energy risk management. The school also offers an MS in Global Energy Leadership, which is STEM-designated and prepares students for roles in energy management, energy finance, and other areas. According to the school, upwards of one-fifth of its recent MBA classes have gone into the energy industry. 

The percentage of Edinburgh MBAs going into the energy sector has increased in recent years. In the past, Edinburgh MBA grads have gone into global energy firms like Schlumberger. MBAs have also done projects and internships with a range of energy companies, from the Spain-based EDP Renewables to GE Energy.