A decade-long push to boost STEM education in the U.S. saw a significant milestone surpassed, with the country awarding more than 4 million degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math fields between 2012 and 2022. The actual total exceeded the original national goal by a notable margin, reflecting a growing emphasis on these critical disciplines. The achievement underscores shifting priorities in higher education and workforce development. Details on how this growth compares across different fields and its long-term impact on the economy remain key questions.
Between 2012 and 2022, a national target of 4 million STEM degrees earned in the United States was surpassed by 16%, cumulatively totaling 4.65 STEM degrees (red line) over that decade. This exceeded ...
