• Save the date for SSTI's 2024 Annual Conference

    Join us December 10-12 in Arizona to connect with and learn from your peers working around the country to strengthen their regional innovation economies. Visit ssticonference.org for more information and sign up to receive updates.

  • Become an SSTI Member

    As the most comprehensive resource available for those involved in technology-based economic development, SSTI offers the services that are needed to help build tech-based economies.  Learn more about membership...

  • Subscribe to the SSTI Weekly Digest

    Each week, the SSTI Weekly Digest delivers the latest breaking news and expert analysis of critical issues affecting the tech-based economic development community. Subscribe today!

Technology Education Trends Analyzed

April 30, 1999

The number of technology degrees awarded have declined by 5 percent since 1990, according to a new report issued by the American Electronics Association (AEA). The one area in which there has been a significant increase in degrees conferred is business information systems, which increased by 24 percent.

The report, CyberEducation: U.S. Education and the High-Technology Workforce, A National and State-by-State Perspective, examines technology education trends in both K-12 and higher education.

At the college and university level, the report examines the number of students awarded associate, bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees in six core technology fields (engineering, engineering technology, computer science, business information systems, mathematics, and physics).

The top five states, ranked by technology degrees conferred are:

  1. California (20,809)
  2. New York (16,437)
  3. Texas (12,991)
  4. Pennsylvania (11,074)
  5. Ohio (10,315)

The top five states in terms of percentage increase in the number of technology degrees conferred are:

  1. Virginia
  2. Texas
  3. North Carolina
  4. Utah
  5. Minnesota

The report also reviews math and science activity at the kindergarten through 12th grade level. Key K-12 findings include:

  • students are taking more math and science courses
  • test scores at the 4th, 8th, and 12th grade level have improved since 1990

The report is available from AEA by calling 1-800-284-4232. The cost is $95 for AEA members and $190 for non-members.

California