Degrees in the USA compared to the rest of the world

[FAH1223]

More people are attending college in the United States than ever before. There were 18 million undergraduate students in 2009, and more than 1.6 million Bachelor's degrees were awarded that year. But are college students studying the subjects that will lead to good jobs and keep America competitive in the world economy?

Below are the top-seven subjects by percent of all Bachelor's degrees awarded in the 2008/2009 school year, collected by the Department of Education. If science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) majors are the path to well-paid jobs and an innovation-led economy, the numbers are concerning.

There are, for example, more students studying visual and performing arts than engineering. There are more parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies majors than physical science majors. And there were fewer computer and information science majors in 2008-2009 (37,994) than there were in 1984-85 (38,878).




I was a STEM major, but I flat out sucked no matter how hard I tried... I was not going to stay in University for 7 years with a 2.0 GPA. Eff that

[Shirib]

With baby boomers retiring, the US has a severe shortage of Engineers. The economy has always spun upwards because of technological innovation. Engineers are the ones who drive this innovation. So unless the US starts to get more engineers and people in the hard sciences, we're looking at a regression in US industry and power.

[Hyperactive]

every one i know these days studies business related degree.

im crazy about about chemist, medical research related.

[FAH1223]

With baby boomers retiring, the US has a severe shortage of Engineers. The economy has always spun upwards because of technological innovation. Engineers are the ones who drive this innovation. So unless the US starts to get more engineers and people in the hard sciences, we're looking at a regression in US industry and power.

True

You also have the deindustrializing of the country. Before, you didn't have to go to college at all to have a well-paying job in this country up until the 1970s/1980s.

Even today, less than 40% of Americans have a Bachelor's degree. 7% have a Masters and 3% have a professional degree.