New research by bio convergence company CYTENA has shed light on significant shifts in higher education over the past two decades, with a particular focus on science and engineering (S&E) degrees. According to the study, Washington state experienced the largest increase in S&E degrees, with a 40.68% rise between 2000 and 2021.
The latest U.S. National Science Foundation data reveals that Washington’s impressive commitment to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) subjects has propelled it to the top of S&E education in the United States. In 2000, S&E degrees accounted for 32.2% of the state’s conferred degrees, slightly exceeding the national average of 31.2%. By 2021, this percentage had jumped to 45.3%, significantly surpassing the national average of 35.5%. This substantial increase of 40.7% firmly establishes Washington as a leader in S&E education in the United States.
Following Washington’s example, Nevada and Michigan secured the second and third positions with proportional increases of 40.0% and 30.0%, respectively
