STEM vs Non-STEM Outcomes (2026 stats)

Last updated: April 29, 2026 Source: College Scorecard, BLS

TL;DR

STEM majors show stronger outcomes across multiple measures: 68% completion rates vs 60% for non-STEM, median earnings of $78,000 vs $68,000 (5 years post-graduation), and unemployment rates of 1.8% vs 2.5%. However, STEM majors have higher dropout rates in the first two years (24% vs 18%), suggesting greater academic rigor. Within STEM, Engineering and Computer Science show the highest earnings ($85,000-$92,000), while Biological Sciences are closer to non-STEM levels ($64,000).

Key Facts

  • Completion rate advantage: STEM majors have 8 percentage points higher completion rates (68% vs 60%)
  • Earnings premium: STEM graduates earn $10,000 more annually ($78,000 vs $68,000) 5 years post-graduation
  • Unemployment advantage: STEM graduates have 0.7 percentage points lower unemployment (1.8% vs 2.5%)
  • Early dropout risk: STEM majors have 24% dropout rate in first 2 years vs 18% for non-STEM
  • Highest earning STEM fields: Engineering ($92,000) and Computer Science ($85,000)
  • STEM enrollment: 21% of bachelor's degree graduates major in STEM fields

Bachelor's Degree Completion Rates: STEM vs Non-STEM

Insight: STEM majors have higher completion rates (68%) compared to non-STEM majors (60%), but face higher dropout rates in the first two years (24% vs 18%).
Evidence: The 8-percentage-point completion advantage for STEM suggests that students who persist past the initial years are more likely to complete, despite higher early dropout rates.
Why it matters: STEM programs require strong math and science preparation, making early intervention and support critical for improving completion rates and increasing STEM degree production.

Source: NCES Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study, 6-year completion rates (2024 data)

Median Earnings 5 Years After Graduation

Insight: STEM graduates earn $10,000 more annually ($78,000) compared to non-STEM graduates ($68,000) 5 years after graduation, representing a 15% earnings premium.
Evidence: The earnings premium is consistent across most STEM fields, with Engineering ($92,000) and Computer Science ($85,000) showing the highest earnings, while Biological Sciences ($64,000) are closer to non-STEM levels.
Why it matters: The earnings premium for STEM fields reflects high demand for technical skills, making STEM education a strong investment, though outcomes vary significantly by specific field.

Source: College Scorecard and BLS data (2024, median earnings 5 years post-graduation)

Unemployment Rates: STEM vs Non-STEM

Insight: STEM graduates have lower unemployment rates (1.8%) compared to non-STEM graduates (2.5%), representing a 28% lower unemployment risk.
Evidence: The 0.7-percentage-point difference reflects strong labor market demand for technical skills across most STEM fields, with Engineering and Computer Science showing the lowest unemployment rates (1.2-1.5%).
Why it matters: Lower unemployment rates provide economic security and reflect the alignment between STEM education and high-demand careers, though outcomes vary by specific field and geographic region.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Current Population Survey (2024 data)

Earnings by STEM Field

Insight: Earnings vary significantly within STEM fields, with Engineering ($92,000) and Computer Science ($85,000) showing the highest earnings, while Biological Sciences ($64,000) are closer to non-STEM levels.
Evidence: Engineering and Computer Science graduates earn 44% and 25% more than Biological Sciences graduates, reflecting differences in industry demand, career paths, and advanced degree requirements.
Why it matters: Not all STEM fields offer the same returns — students should consider both their interests and career outcomes when choosing specific STEM majors, as earnings vary by more than $25,000 within STEM.

Source: College Scorecard and BLS data (2024, median earnings 5 years post-graduation)

STEM vs Non-STEM Outcomes Data Table

Field Category Completion Rate (6-year) Early Dropout Rate (2-year) Median Earnings (5 years post-graduation) Unemployment Rate % of Graduates
STEM (Overall) 68% 24% $78,000 1.8% 21%
Engineering 72% 22% $92,000 1.2% 5%
Computer Science 70% 26% $85,000 1.5% 4%
Mathematics/Statistics 68% 23% $76,000 1.8% 2%
Physical Sciences 65% 28% $72,000 2.0% 2%
Biological Sciences 64% 25% $64,000 2.2% 8%
Non-STEM (Overall) 60% 18% $68,000 2.5% 79%

Source: NCES Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study, College Scorecard, and BLS data (2024). Completion rates reflect 6-year bachelor's degree completion. Early dropout rate reflects students who leave within first 2 years. Earnings reflect median annual income 5 years after graduation. Unemployment rates for bachelor's degree holders by field.

Methodology

This analysis uses data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study (BPS), College Scorecard, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to compare completion rates, earnings, unemployment, and career outcomes for STEM and non-STEM college majors.

Data Sources

  • NCES Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study (BPS): Completion rates and dropout patterns by major field (2024 data)
  • College Scorecard: Median earnings 5 years after graduation by major field (2024 data)
  • Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Current Population Survey: Unemployment rates by major field for bachelor's degree holders (2024 data)

Definitions

  • STEM Fields: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics fields, including:
    • Engineering (all subfields)
    • Computer Science and Information Technology
    • Mathematics and Statistics
    • Physical Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, etc.)
    • Biological Sciences (Biology, Biochemistry, etc.)
  • Non-STEM Fields: All other major fields, including Business, Education, Health Professions (non-STEM), Social Sciences, Humanities, Arts, etc.
  • Completion Rate: Percentage of students who complete a bachelor's degree within 6 years of initial enrollment
  • Early Dropout Rate: Percentage of students who leave postsecondary education within the first 2 years without completing a degree

Calculation Method

Completion rates are calculated as the percentage of first-time students who complete a bachelor's degree within 6 years, categorized by major field. Earnings reflect median annual income 5 years after graduation for students who completed degrees in each field. Unemployment rates reflect the percentage of bachelor's degree holders in each field who are unemployed and seeking work.

Limitations

  • STEM field definitions vary across studies and institutions
  • Data reflects students who received federal financial aid and may not represent all students
  • Earnings data reflects completers only and may not represent outcomes for non-completers
  • Unemployment rates may vary by geographic region and economic conditions
  • Students may change majors or fields after graduation, affecting field-specific outcomes
  • Earnings and outcomes may vary significantly within broad field categories
  • Advanced degree requirements vary by field (e.g., many Biological Sciences graduates pursue advanced degrees)

Update Frequency

This dataset is updated annually when new NCES BPS, College Scorecard, and BLS data is released (typically in the fall).

Analysis & insights

This treatment of stem vs non-stem outcomes pulls from EDsmart files and the sources on the page; the charts summarize those records, not future outcomes. National aggregates flatten real variation—Ohio, Georgia, and Washington can look like different worlds. Skewed distributions split the median and the mean into different stories. Program, year, and campus still matter more than any single national line.

STEM and technology wages vary sharply by role, metro, and degree level. Health occupations face licensing barriers that many tech roles skip—same broad label, different labor market. AI exposure scores describe which tasks look automatable; they do not measure job quality or working conditions. Seattle, Austin, and Boston appear often because employers cluster there, not because outcomes are uniform. Bureau of Labor Statistics detail and program accreditation add what these charts abbreviate.

FAQ

Earnings & return on investment

What do earnings statistics after graduation usually measure?

Federal releases often report median earnings for employed graduates several years out, by field of study or credential. They generally exclude students who never completed or who are not in the wage records linked to the cohort.

How is debt-to-earnings thought about responsibly?

Ratios compare borrowing levels to early-career earnings proxies. They illuminate pressure points but ignore regional cost of living, graduate school plans, and non-wage benefits—use as context, not rankings of worth.

Why do ROI rankings move year to year?

Earnings data ages into new tax years, debt cohorts roll forward, and institutions enter or leave reporting universes. Small sample programs also bounce more than large majors.

Do higher earnings always mean a better program fit?

No—students prioritize stability, mission, geography, and licensure paths. Earnings medians describe central tendencies, not guarantees for any individual.

Where should readers verify program-level outcomes?

College Scorecard field-of-study tabs, state longitudinal data where available, and institution disclosures under gainful-employment rules (where applicable).

Using this page

What does this page cover on “STEM vs Non-STEM Outcomes”?

This page summarizes STEM vs Non-STEM Outcomes using EDsmart’s processed tables and charts. It is a data-driven overview—always confirm mission-critical figures in the original agency release.

Which sources power the numbers here?

Figures draw on NCES Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study (BPS), College Scorecard, and Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Current Population Survey. Use Data Sources for exact tables, APIs, and methodology notes.

Why might these figures differ from another chart or headline?

If another outlet shows a different total, check whether the cohort (all borrowers vs undergraduates only), academic year, and data source match. Mixing definitions is the most common reason charts appear to conflict.

How often is this page updated?

We refresh when upstream federal releases change and the site rebuild ships new CSV/JSON extracts. The Last updated line points to the latest editorial pass on this HTML.

Data Sources

This page uses data from the following sources:

  • NCES Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study (BPS)
  • College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
  • Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Current Population Survey
    • Unemployment rates by major field for bachelor's degree holders
    • Latest data: 2024
    • Source: bls.gov/cps/