Number and percentage distribution of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) degrees/certificates conferred by postsecondary institutions, by race/ethnicity, level of degree/certificate, and sex of student: 2009-10 through 2018-19

Group	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
Total	378	404	424	447	476	512	545	565	581
Residents	322	344	361	377	393	410	431	448	468
Male	210	224	235	246	255	264	276	286	297
Female	112	120	125	131	138	146	154	163	171
Black	23	25	27	27	28	29	31	32	34
Hispanic	24	27	30	34	38	42	47	51	57
Asian	44	46	49	50	53	57	61	65	69

STEM degrees awarded at the bachelors, masters and doctoral level continue to increase in response to market demands from 2011 to 2019, increasing by 54% in total and by 45% for U.S. residents. Most of the increase has been at the bachelors level, from 255,000 to 379,000 degrees (+49%). Masters degrees have increased from 53,000 to 72,000 (+36%). Doctoral degrees have increased from 14,000 to 17,000 (21%).

African-American degree earners have increased by 46%. Hispanic Americans have increased by 137%. Asian-Americans have increased by 57%. White Americans have increased by 28%, from 224,000 to 287,000 (+63,000).

US resident male degree earners increased from 210,000 to 297,000 (41%). Female degree earners increased from 112,000 to 171,000 (52%).

By contrast, the US population increased by just 5% during this period, from 312M to 329M.

I don’t find many news stories highlighting this very good news. In a world that requires technological innovation, application, maintenance and understanding, the US is quickly increasing the number of graduates with these skills. Women and minorities are increasing their relative share of the graduates in these subject areas, which historically have been well paid.

Data check: U.S. producing more STEM graduates even without proposed initiatives | Science | AAAS (sciencemag.org)

More Students Earning Degrees in STEM Fields, Report Shows | STEM Solutions | US News

There is room for improvement. Women and minorities are still underrepresented. They graduate at lower rates than white whites. Non-residents earn a significant (19%) share of US degrees awarded.

6 facts about America’s STEM workforce and those training for it | Pew Research Center

STEM crisis or STEM surplus? Yes and yes : Monthly Labor Review: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov)

STEM Education Stats for 2021 | Jobs & Careers, Growth, Minorities & Degree Statistics (idtech.com)

In the prior decade, between 2000 and 2010, the number of STEM bachelors degrees awarded increased by 31%.

STEM Education Data and Trends (nsf.gov)

Bottom line: US residents are earning about one-half million STEM degrees each year. This is double the one-quarter million degrees awarded in 2000. Note that compounding of 31% and 54% growth yields 102% total growth, not just 85% (a core STEM skill).