Useful Stats: S&E talent across the States

Jobs held by degree holders in Science and Engineering (S&E) fields make important contributions to our nation’s economic growth and global competitiveness, fueling innovative capacity through research, development, and other technologically advanced work activities, according to the National Science Foundation (NSF). This edition of Useful Stats will explore NSF National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES) and National Science Board (NSB) education data, specifically data on S&E associate and bachelor’s degrees, and the S&E workforce supplied by the educational systems.

S&E is a subfield within STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), alongside other S&E-related and STEM “middle-skill” occupations. S&E is inclusive of occupations like biological, agricultural, and environmental life scientists; computer and mathematical scientists; physical scientists; social scientists; and engineers. To read more on the distinctions between S&E and STEM, please refer to NSF’s website.

To ensure that the U.S. can continue to maintain and expand its robust S&E talent pipelines, an emphasis on education is key. Education is crucial in developing and sustaining the talent pipeline, ensuring a continuous flow of skilled individuals into the workforce.

Education in S&E

Since the turn of the century, there has been a notable increase in associate's degrees awarded in S&E disciplines. According to data from the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES), the number of S&E associate’s degrees conferred to 18–24-year-olds has grown by an average of 6% each year from 2000 to 2021 (38,500 to 116,000—a 202% growth).

Figure 1, below, shows the annual number of associate’s degrees in S&E conferred per 1,000 individuals aged 18-24 by state from 2000 through 2021.

Figure 1: Number of associate’s degrees granted in S&E fields per 1,000 individuals aged 18-24.

In 2021, California granted 15 associate’s degrees in S&E per 1,000 individuals aged 18-24, the highest number given by any state. Wyoming gave the second largest number, with 8.99 degrees awarded per 1,000 individuals in that age group, followed by Virginia at 5.88 degrees, New Mexico at 5.46 degrees, and Oklahoma at 5.31 degrees.

Only five states, Washington, D.C, and Puerto Rico had less than one associate’s degree in S&E per 1,000 individuals aged 18-24; of these seven, Washington, D.C. had the highest number at 0.88 per 1,000, followed by Tennessee at 0.84, Colorado at 0.81, Louisiana 0.73, Puerto Rico at 0.61, Alabama at 0.56, and Alaska at 0.55.

Those with associate's degrees in S&E play important roles in bridging the skills gap in the STEM workforce. Many find employment in the information technology, healthcare, and manufacturing industries.

However, it is important to note that associate’s degrees are only one piece of the puzzle, and a high or low frequency of associate’s degrees should not be extrapolated beyond its measure.

Bachelor’s degrees are the most conferred degree type, with the largest proportion of college-educated Americans having attained one; of the 4.16 million college graduates in 2021, 2.07 million (49.6%) earned a bachelor’s degree, compared to 1.04 million (24.9%) earning an associate’s.

Figure 2, below, shows the number of S&E bachelor’s degrees granted per 1,000 individuals aged 18-24 for each state from 2000 through 2021.

Figure 2: Number of Bachelor’s degrees granted in S&E fields per 1,000 individuals aged 18-24.

The number of bachelor’s degrees conferred has increased from 14.38 per 1,000 individuals aged 18-24 across the U.S. in 2000 to 25.51 in 2021, averaging a three percent increase per year.

Washington, D.C. has the highest value at 78.54 S&E bachelor’s degrees conferred per 1,000 individuals aged 18-24, followed by New Hampshire at 60.53, Vermont at 46.67, Massachusetts at 39.52, and Rhode Island at 38.87.

Thirty-nine states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico have at least 20 S&E bachelor’s degrees conferred per 1,000 individuals aged 18-24, while an additional nine states have at least 10. Alaska is the only jurisdiction with fewer than 10 per 1,000 individuals, with 9.69.

Figure 3, below, shows the total associate’s and bachelor's degrees conferred per 1,000 individuals aged 18-24 in the U.S. on a single line chart.

The line chart reveals a similar trend between associate’s and bachelor's, but a higher numeric increase for bachelor's per 1,000.

Figure 3: Associate’s and Bachelor's degrees per 1,000 individuals aged 18-24.

Jobs in S&E

While the proportion of those aged 18-24 with both associate’s and bachelor's degrees is on the rise, the number of individuals in S&E as a percent of all occupations has also increased.

S&E occupations are a subset of occupations inclusive of jobs such as biological, agricultural, and environmental life scientists; computer and mathematical scientists; physical scientists; social scientists; and engineers to name a few.

From 2003 to 2020, the span of available data, the number of S&E occupations as a percentage of all occupations grew from 3.89% to 5.26%. Across the same period, there was an average growth of approximately 2% per year, with only one decrease between 2009-2010.

Figure 4, below, shows both the percent and count of individuals in S&E occupations. The two metrics can be toggled using the arrow controls in the top left of the graphic.

Figure 4: percent and count of individuals in S&E occupations.

D.C. had the highest ratio of occupations in S&E, followed by Washington at 8.87%, Maryland at 8.31%, and Virginia at 8.13%.

Twenty states and D.C. had at least 5% of its population in S&E occupations, while 27 states and Puerto Rico had at least 3%. Nevada at 2.75%, Mississippi at 2.69%, and Louisiana at (2.46%) had the lowest percentages.

NOTE: To read about programs to increase the number of underrepresented minorities in STEM, see the SSTI article “STEM PUSH programs increase college-level persistence for underrepresented minority students.”