STEM-Related Degrees Awarded in San Bernardino County Continue Recent Increase
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) degrees provide students with the technical skills and specialized knowledge needed in the 21st century workplace. A technically skilled pool of local graduates reduces the need for employers to recruit workers from outside the county and can attract new high-tech jobs. This indicator measures the number of associate, bachelor, and graduate STEM-related degrees completed at local colleges and universities in San Bernardino County.[1]
TREND
Although the number of STEM-related degrees granted in 2024 remains below the number granted 10 years ago, the number of degrees continues its gradual rebound after the 10-year low in 2019. In 2024, a total of 5,732 degrees were awarded, which represents a one-year increase of 7%.
The trend in STEM-related degrees granted varies by type of degree. Between 2023 and 2024, STEM-related associate degrees saw the largest increase (12%), followed by graduate degrees (9%), and bachelor’s degrees (2%). The 10-year trend is more pronounced: over the past decade, STEM-related associate degrees have increased 38% while STEM-related bachelor’s degrees decreased by 24%, and graduate degrees decreased by 12%.
At 70% of all STEM-related degrees, degrees in Health Professions accounted for the majority of total STEM-related degrees granted in 2024. Despite the dominance of Health Professions among STEM-related degrees, degrees granted since 2015 in this field have decreased by 6% while Biological and Biomedical Sciences have increased by 64% and Mathematics and Statistics have increased by 16%. Engineering degrees experienced the greatest 10-year drop (-56%), followed by Computer Science, IT, and Communication Tech (-13%).
RECENT GROWTH IN STEM-RELATED DEGREES DRIVEN BY ASSOCIATE DEGREES
Number of STEM-Related Degrees Awarded by San Bernardino County Colleges and Universities by Type of Award, 2015-2024
STEM-RELATED DEGREES GRANTED CONTINUE TO REBOUND
STEM-Related Degrees Conferred by San Bernardino County Colleges and Universities, 2015-2024
[1] STEM-related degrees include the subjects of biological sciences, health or medical professions, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, computer and information sciences, communications technology, and engineering, environmental and industrial technologies. Data are inclusive all 2- and 4-year, public and private post-secondary degree-granting institutions in San Bernardino County.