Who earns S&E associate’s degrees in the United States?

The total number of associate’s degrees awarded in S&E fields increased from 38,434 in 2000 to 62,805 in 2003, decreased every year through 2007, and then increased every year since to reach 84,641 degrees in 2012. This pattern was similar for men and women.

The number of S&E associate’s degrees awarded to U.S. citizens and permanent residents rose from 37,585 degrees in 2000 to 61,190 in 2003, declined to 46,590 degrees in 2007, and then rose steadily to 83,039 degrees in 2012 (a 78% increase since 2007). The overall pattern of increases and decreases was similar, although the magnitude of change differed for the different groups.

• The number of S&E associate’s degrees earned by women grew from 18,333 in 2000 to 24,679 in 2003, declined to 18,416 by 2007, and then rose again to attain a new high of 35,865 degrees earned in 2012.
• Men’s number of S&E associate’s degrees increased from 20,101 in 2000 to 38,126 in 2003, declined to 29,069 in 2007, and then rose again to reach a new high of 48,776 degrees earned in 2012.
• The number of S&E associate’s degrees earned by women increased by 95% between 2007 and 2012, compared to a 68% increase for men over the same period. Although women’s share of S&E associate’s degrees increased from 39% to 42% during those years, it remains lower than the 48% share women earned in 2000.
• Women are underrepresented among recipients of S&E associate’s degrees relative to their 49% share of the U.S. college-age population in 2012.

• Following a 4-year downturn that began in 2004, the number of S&E associate’s degrees began to rise in 2008 for most racial/ethnic groups. In 2012, whites earned 43,551 S&E associate’s degrees, Hispanics 12,369 degrees, blacks 10,152 degrees, and Asians/Pacific Islanders 4,976 degrees.
• 2003 was the previous peak year for whites (37,939 degrees), blacks (8,198), and Asians/Pacific Islanders (4,075). Hispanics surpassed their 2003 number (6,994) in 2009, when they earned 7,157 S&E associate’s degrees, and their degree awards increased every year thereafter to 2012.
• The number of S&E associate’s degrees earned by American Indians/Alaska Natives grew from 608 degrees in 2000 to 1,046 degrees in 2012. The number increased by a third between 2000 and 2003, and then rose more gradually thereafter.
• Asians/Pacific Islanders and American Indians/Alaska Natives are overrepresented among recipients of S&E associate’s degrees relative to their proportions in the U.S. college-age population in 2012 (5% and 0.9%, respectively). Blacks and Hispanics remain underrepresented compared to their proportions in the population (15% and 21%, respectively). In both 2011 and 2012, whites also were underrepresented among S&E associate’s recipients compared to their 56% share of the population.