The Research
Research highlights ongoing disparities in STEM participation.
Students from historically underrepresented groups remain less represented in STEM fields, particularly in engineering, physical sciences, and computer sciences (2018 study).
STEM careers also offer significant economic advantages.
Full-time, year-round STEM workers ages 25 and older earn an average of $77,400 annually—compared to $46,900 for workers in non-STEM occupations.
Source: Temming, M. (2021, April 14). “STEM's racial, ethnic, and gender gaps are still strikingly large.” ScienceNews.org. Retrieved May 21, 2025, from ScienceNews.org.
The more recent data show that although many highly qualified, underrepresented students enter STEM fields at a similar rate as their peers, an alarming 40% of them transfer out of STEM fields before completing the program. This is overwhelmingly due to a lack of educational and financial support that students receive during their college years. Many STEM programs can be lengthy and costly, creating a barrier to success for many well-deserving students. Rakoczy, Christy. “Scholarships for Black and African American STEM Majors.” Education Loan Finance, 30 Mar. 2022, https://www.elfi.com/scholarships-for-black-and-african-american-stem-majors/.
