Higher Education in Science and Engineering

According to the National Science Board “Science and Engineering Indicators 2008,” undergraduate, graduate and doctoral science and engineering students are finding it more challenging than ever to complete their degrees. Science and engineering graduate enrollment in the United States peaked with 583,200 students in fall 2005 and has been declining. The report attributes this to declining foreign student enrollment. The number of science and engineering bachelor’s and master’s degrees also peaked in 2005 and has declined. The number of science and engineering doctorates awarded by United States academic institutions reach a new peak of almost 30,000 in 2005 with the largest growth in engineering and the biological and agricultural sciences.

Tuition is also a cause. In 2003-2004, the median level of debt was $19,300. Students are not getting government assistance either. Only 21% of full time science and engineering graduate students get their financial support from the government. Those that do get support are more likely to be in the physical sciences. Mathematics, computer science, social science and psychology are less likely to get support from the government.

With the facts above, it is no surprise that the number of science and engineering students are declining. With less money available to support students, and tighter visa standards, the numbers are on the decline. We should be encouraging students to pursue these fields. Intelligent, innovative science and engineering students are a large part of creating new, exciting business in the United States.