type here...
Degree AttainmentsGender GapResearch/Study

Women Are Increasing Their Share of Degrees in STEM Fields

New data from the U.S. Department of Education shows that women are making progress in closing the gender gap in degree attainments in the so-called STEM fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. In 2009, women earned 134,634 degrees in STEM fields. This was up from 127,134 STEM degrees in 2001. In 2009 women earned 31 percent of all degrees in these fields.

But if we eliminate two-year associate degrees from the calculations, we see that women do even better. (The number of women earning associate’s degrees in STEM fields dropped by more than 25 percent from 2001 to 2009.) From 2001 to 2009, the number of bachelor’s degrees earned by women in STEM fields was up 17 percent. For master’s degrees, women showed an increase of 30.4 percent. The most dramatic increase was in doctorates. From 2001 to 2009 the number of doctorates earned by women in STEM fields increased from 4,146 to 7,417. This is an increase of 78.9 percent.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Related Articles

Latest News

Deborah Jones Named President of the MGH Institute of Health Professions

0
“I am inspired by the [MGH Institute for Health Professions'] mission to educate health professionals and researchers who will drive innovation in the delivery of equitable and interprofessional care,” said Dr. Jones. “This mission aligns deeply with my own purpose, which is to bring together people, ideas, and systems for the greater good, because the greater good is stronger than any individual part.”

Alison Carr-Chellman Appointed Provost of Pace University

0
“Pace has a unique mission rooted in access, excellence, and opportunity, and that resonates deeply with me,” said Dr. Carr-Chellman. “I’m excited to bring my experience in academic innovation, collaborative leadership, and student-centered learning to a community so clearly dedicated to helping students excel and create lives they are proud of.”

Virginia Tech’s Emily Sarver to Lead the Society of Mining Professors

0
The Society of Mining Professors is an international organization dedicated to advancing the future of mining, minerals, and energy disciplines. Emily Sarver, the Stonie Barker Professor of Mining and Minerals Engineering at Virginia Tech, will serve as the society's next president.

Jennifer Glowienka Named the First Woman President of Carroll College in Montana

0
“I have dedicated my professional career to this remarkable institution, which prepares ethical leaders who engage the world with purpose and hope,” said Dr. Glowienka. “I look forward to strengthening and expanding the ways Carroll fulfills its mission, serving learners across all stages of their educational journey.”

Susan Stuebner Elevated to President of Simpson College in Iowa

0
Dr. Stuebner has led Simpson College on an interim basis since July 28. She has nearly 30 years of professional experience, including service as president of Colby-Sawyer College in New Hampshire.

Latest Job Listings

Assistant Professor Tenure Track Position — Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Cardiovascular Institute

0
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania seek candidates for an Assistant Professor position in the tenure track.

Assistant Professor of Political Science, Quantitative Methods

0
The Department of Political Science at the University of Chicago invites applications for an Assistant Professor in Quantitative Methods. This position will begin on or after July 1, 2026.

Tenure Track Position in Macro-Organizational Behavior and Organizational Theory

0
The University of Pittsburgh School of Business seeks to fill a full-time, tenure-track assistant or associate professor position in the Organizations and Entrepreneurship Area, starting as early as Fall 2026. 

Ruth J. Simmons Center for the Study of Slavery & Justice and John Carter Brown Library Joint Postdoctoral Research Associate

0
The Ruth J. Simmons Center for the Study of Slavery and Justice at Brown University and the John Carter Brown Library invite applications for a postdoctoral research associate position focused on any area/theme of historical scholarship around racial slavery, and/ or Indigenous dispossession and slavery.

Teaching Faculty Position in Information Systems and Technology Management (ISTM)

0
The University of Pittsburgh School of Business invites applications for a full-time, appointment-stream faculty position at the Clinical Assistant Professor level in our Information Systems and Technology Management area starting Fall 2026.

About WIAReport

Tracking the Progress of Women in American Higher Education

Phone: (570) 392-6797

WIA Jobs

Latest Articles

Women Students Continue to Have Higher College Degree Completion Rates Than Men

0
Among women who entered college in fall 2019, 64.3 percent completed their degree by 2025. For their male peers, only 58.1 percent completed their degree within six-years.

Deborah Jones Named President of the MGH Institute of Health Professions

0
“I am inspired by the [MGH Institute for Health Professions'] mission to educate health professionals and researchers who will drive innovation in the delivery of equitable and interprofessional care,” said Dr. Jones. “This mission aligns deeply with my own purpose, which is to bring together people, ideas, and systems for the greater good, because the greater good is stronger than any individual part.”

Penn Study Finds Government Cash Transfer Programs Lead to Improved Maternal and Child Health

0
In analysis of 37 low- and middle-income countries, scholars from the University of Pennsylvania found countries that implemented large-scale, government-led cash transfer programs experienced improved healthcare outcomes for women and children.

Alison Carr-Chellman Appointed Provost of Pace University

0
“Pace has a unique mission rooted in access, excellence, and opportunity, and that resonates deeply with me,” said Dr. Carr-Chellman. “I’m excited to bring my experience in academic innovation, collaborative leadership, and student-centered learning to a community so clearly dedicated to helping students excel and create lives they are proud of.”

Newsletter

Receive our FREE email newsletter delivered every Tuesday to your inbox

2025 © Women In Academia Report | a BRUCON Publication