A recent study conducted by bio convergence company CYTENA has shown a significant shift in higher education over the past two decades, with a particular focus on science and engineering (S&E) degrees. According to the research, Washington state experienced the largest increase in S&E degrees, with a 40.68% rise between 2000 and 2021.
The analysis also reveals that Washington’s commitment to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) subjects is impressive. In 2000, S&E degrees accounted for only 32.2% of the state’s conferred degrees, slightly below the national average of 31.2%. However, by 2021, this percentage had jumped to an astonishing 45.3%, significantly surpassing the national average of 35.5%. This substantial increase of 40.7% firmly places Washington at the forefront of S&E education in the United States.
Following closely behind Washington’s example were Nevada and Michigan with proportional increases of 40% and 30%, respectively. Interestingly, only seven states experienced a decrease in the percentage of S&E degrees conferred since