Trend Analysis in Enrollment and Completion of Women and Minorities in STEM fields MIAIR, November 3, 2016 Jessica Kijek & Bin Ning Eastern Michigan University

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) STEM occupation rate projected to grow by 17% in 2018 Compared to 9.8% in non- STEM occupations

Introduction Concern over participation and achievement gaps among women and underrepresentation of ethnic minorities This study looks at women and underrepresented minorities’ enrollment and completion in STEM fields from 2004 to 2014

Literature review STEM is the foundation for partnership and alliances in a global economy Challenge of attracting and retaining STEM professionals to train subjects As well as recruit and develop top students, scientists, and engineers Legislative proposals introduced to increase programs in federal agencies to improve science and math education Programs with emphasis on STEM have been formed to transform the current educational model toward a STEM education perspective Persistent inequalities in STEM limit the future employment among women, low- income, and underrepresented minority students

Methods Focused on undergraduate programs Data drawn from IPEDS 2004 and 2014 169 public, four-year universities classified as Master’s College and Universities—Large Programs Universities play such a critical role in educating undergraduate students Not necessarily focused on research but still make significant contributions to STEM education Conducted overall trend analysis

Stem fields included in this study First 2 Digits of CIP Field Description 11 Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services 14 Engineering 15 Engineering Technologies and Engineering-Related Fields 26 Biological and Biomedical Sciences 27 Mathematics and Statistics 40 Physical Sciences 41 Science Technologies/Technicians 47 Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians 51 Health Professions and Related Programs

Data Definition Underrepresented minorities—All ethnic minorities groups, excluding Asian

Research Questions What are the overall undergraduate enrollment trends by ethnicity, gender, and geographic region between 2004 and 2014? What is the overall trend in undergraduate degree completion within STEM fields between 2004 and 2014? What are the changes of undergraduate STEM degree completion with regard to the mix of ethnicity and gender, as well as by geographic region?

Total Enrollment In 2004, the total enrollment in undergraduate degree programs in the 169 public master’s-large institutions was 1.45 million As of 2014, the number reached 1.67 million

Enrollment Trends by Gender

Gender Enrollment Findings In both 2004 and 2014, more women were enrolled in college than men In 2004, 38% more women were enrolled in college In 2014, 28% more women were enrolled in college When comparing the enrollment trends from the two time frames, men had a higher increase, even though there were less enrolled Enrollment of men increased 16% Enrollment of women increased 12%

Findings in Enrollment By Ethnic Minorities Most of the undergraduate enrollment trends, organized according to ethnicity, increased significantly over the 10 year period Underrepresented minorities increased 52% in overall enrollment status Hispanic or Latino population almost doubled in enrollment with a 98% increase American Indian or Alaska Native population decreased enrollment trends by 30%

Trends in Enrollment By Ethnic Minorities

Geographical enrollment Findings 2004-2014 undergraduate enrollment increased in all geographic regions Highest enrollment increase was in the Southwest (26%) and Far West (23%) This increased enrollment nationwide may be attributed to the growing need to cultivate academic competencies in the job market

Trends in Geographic Region Enrollment

Undergrad stem Degree completions In 2004, the total STEM undergraduate degree completion in the 169 public master’s-large institutions was around 43,500 As of 2014, the number reached 74,600 (or by 72%)

Undergraduate Degree Completion Within STEM Fields Program Fall 2004 Fall 2014 % Change Computer/Information 9,207 7,950 -14% Engineering 4,918 8,309 69% Engineering Technology 3,088 3,776 22% Biological/Biomedical 7,713 13,427 74% Mathematics/Statistics 2,171 3,526 62% Physical Sciences 2,687 4,780 78% Science Technology 18 75 317% Mechanic/Repair 14 10 -29% Health Professions 13,667 32,743 140% Total degree completion within STEM fields 43,483 74,596 72%

Findings for Undergrad Degrees Obtained within STEM Fields The overall trend of undergraduate degree completion within STEM fields rose drastically Total amount of degrees obtained in STEM fields increased by 72% Increased in most fields Highest increase was in Science Technologies/Technicians with 317% Slight decrease in a few fields -14% in Computer and Information Science and Support Services -29% in Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians

STEM Completion BY Gender Findings Degree completion at the undergraduate level for women in STEM fields increased 85% over the 10 year gap Health Professions and Related Programs (128%) Physical Sciences (70%) Biological and Biomedical Sciences (63%) Engineering Technologies and Engineering-related fields (4%) In the field of Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, degree completion in women decreased 44%

Undergraduate STEM Degree completion in Women STEM Program Fall 2004 Fall 2014 % Change Computer/Information 2,320 1,296 -44% Engineering 833 1,186 42% Engineering Technology 371 385 4% Biological/Biomedical 4,899 8,099 63% Mathematics/Statistics 1,099 1,694 54% Physical Sciences 1,151 1,951 70% Science Technology 8 26 225% Mechanic/Repair 0% Health Professions 11,961 27,287 128%

Breakdown of STEM Degree Completion in Gender

Gender Findings % growth in degree completion outpaced the enrollment growth Significant gender gaps are still existing in many STEM fields The growth in health professions is overwhelming Important to consider the low number of female students in Computer and Information Sciences

Ethic Minority STEM Degree completions Underrepresented Minorities increased trends in undergraduate degree completion in STEM fields by 105% Mathematics and Statistics (266%) Health Professions and Related Programs (166%)

Undergraduate degree completion in STEM fields in underrepresented Minorities STEM Program Fall 2004 Fall 2014 % Change Computer/Information 1,498 1,477 -1% Engineering 812 1,690 108% Engineering Technology 367 528 44% Biological/Biomedical 1,367 2,767 102% Mathematics/Statistics 179 655 266% Physical Sciences 346 657 90% Science Technology 2 6 200% Mechanic/Repair 1 1% Health Professions 2,642 7,028 166%

STEM Completion by Ethnic Minority Results Hispanic or Latino ethnicities reported the highest increase for undergraduate degree completion within STEM fields compared to the other minority groups 172% in Mathematics and Statistics 278% in Health Professions and Related Programs African Americans remain underrepresented in all STEM fields besides Health Professions and Related Programs Attributed to the lower college graduation rates and education credentials required to obtain a STEM field job

Trends in Degree Completion by Geographical Region All categories in the undergraduate degree completion within STEM fields rose drastically, increasing well over 50% in almost all locations Highest increase in Rocky Mountains (125%) and Great Lakes (84%) Growth may be contributed to well established institutional and industrial systems State funding priorities

Undergraduate Degree Completion Within STEM Fields by geographic region

Conclusions Public four-year universities play an important role in awarding bachelor degrees and educating STEM graduates Total enrollment in 2014 of 1.67 million students in undergraduate programs 74,596 in undergraduate degree completion in STEM fields in 2014 Rapid increase in overall enrollment in STEM fields for women and underrepresented minorities Increase is uneven among all STEM disciplines as well as by geographic region