Steady Rise for Women in STEM but Gender Gap Remains

The number of female students awarded a STEM degree or certificate in the U.S. has steadily risen over the most recent 8 year period, according to NCES data. The number of male students awarded a STEM degree or certificate in the U.S. has also increased in that same period.

Due impart to the consistent rise in STEM graduates overall, the gender gap continues and, in raw numbers, is larger than it was in the 2008-2009 school year. Looking at the percent change, female students are turning to STEM. The number of male students who have been granted a STEM degree or certificate increased by 38 percent between the 2008-2009 and the 2015-2016 school year, while the number of female students who achieved the same degree or certificate increased by 48 percent.