CYTENA, a bio convergence company, has recently conducted research on the significant changes in higher education over the past two decades, with a particular focus on science and engineering (S&E) degrees. The study reveals that Washington state experienced the largest increase in S&E degrees, with a 40.68% rise between 2000 and 2021.
According to the latest U.S. National Science Foundation data, Washington’s commitment to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) subjects is evident in its impressive increase of 40.7% between 2000 and 2021. This substantial growth firmly establishes Washington as a leader in S&E education in the United States, with S&E degrees accounting for 45.3% of the state’s conferred degrees in 2021, significantly surpassing the national average of 35.5%.
Nevada and Michigan followed suit with proportional increases of 40.0% and 30.0%, respectively. Only seven states experienced a decrease in the percentage of S&E degrees conferred since 2000, indicating a growing emphasis on STEM education and potentially linking educational focus to future workforce demands.
The data suggests that this trend is not limited to just these three states but is likely happening across many other institutions nationwide as they adapt to changing demands in the workforce and society at large.
