Higher education is a key point where gender gaps in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics begin to appear. These statistics show where women are well represented, where participation drops, and how different education paths shape outcomes for students in STEM.
Bachelor’s Degrees in STEM
Gender differences in STEM participation become more visible during undergraduate education. Although women earn most college degrees overall, their representation varies widely by STEM field.
Since the late 1990s, women have earned about 57% of all bachelor’s degrees and half of all science and engineering degrees. ¹ In 2023, women earned most degrees in psychology (78%), biological sciences (72%), and social sciences (63%). However, women earned far fewer degrees in engineering (26%), computer science (23%), and physics (24%).
Across all degree levels, men earned more degrees in engineering, computing, math, statistics, and physical sciences, while women earned more degrees in life sciences, social sciences, and related interdisciplinary fields.²
Progress for Women of Color in Computing
Some STEM fields are seeing encouraging growth. From 2017 to 2023, the number of Black, Latina, and Native American women earning computing degrees more than doubled, showing real progress in access and participation in computing.³
STEM-Related Degrees and Career Pathways
Gender patterns also differ in fields closely connected to STEM, including applied, technical, and education programs.
In 2023, across all degree levels, men earned larger shares of degrees than women in:
- Homeland security and fire protection
- Technology and technical fields
- Other science and engineering–related fields
Women earned larger shares of degrees than men in:
- Health professions and related programs
- Science and mathematics teacher education
These trends highlight how women and men often enter STEM‑related careers through different education pathways.⁴
Apprenticeships as an Education Pathway
Paid training programs like apprenticeships can provide another route into STEM careers, but access remains uneven.
Women make up only 14% of registered apprentices, even though these programs offer a direct path to employment and an alternative to college.⁴ Improving access to apprenticeships is an important step toward building more inclusive STEM career pathways.
STEM Degree Completion
Starting in a STEM major does not always lead to completing a STEM degree. These statistics show who enters STEM programs and how outcomes differ by gender. Of students who enrolled in a postsecondary certificate or degree program by 2017, 38% began with a STEM major.²
As of 2021, among students who started in STEM:
- 55% completed a STEM certificate or degree
- 16% completed a non‑STEM degree
- 29% did not complete any degree
A higher share of women (57%) who started in STEM completed a STEM degree compared with men (53%).
Among students who completed a STEM credential:
- 87% earned a bachelor’s degree
- 19% earned a certificate or associate’s degree
More men than women completed a bachelor’s degree, while more women than men completed a certificate or associate’s degree.²
Why These Statistics Matter
Higher education is a key turning point in the STEM pathway. Differences in participation and completion vary by field, degree type, and pathway, but clear data helps educators and decision‑makers design programs that expand opportunity and improve outcomes.
NGCP uses this research to support data‑driven programs, systems change, and inclusive STEM learning environments nationwide.