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

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

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

8. 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?

9. 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

10. Enrollment Trends by Gender

11. 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%

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%

13. Trends in Enrollment By Ethnic Minorities

14. Geographical enrollment Findings
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

15. Trends in Geographic Region Enrollment

16. 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%)

17. 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%

18. 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

19. 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%

20. 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%

21. Breakdown of STEM Degree Completion in Gender

22. 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

23. 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%)

24. 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%

25. 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

26. 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

27. Undergraduate Degree Completion Within STEM Fields by geographic region

28. 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