Figure C-2. Minority share of S&E and non-S&E bachelor's degrees: 1989–2007
Figure Updated: November 2009
NOTES: Underrepresented minority refers to blacks, Hispanics, and American Indians/Alaska Natives. Race/ethnicity breakouts are for U.S. citizens and permanent residents only. Data not available for 1999. Data based on degree-granting institutions eligible to participate in Title IV federal financial aid programs and do not match previously published data based on accredited higher education institutions.
SOURCE: National Science Foundation, Division of Science Resources Statistics, special tabulations of U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, Completions Survey, 1989–2007.
Minorities earned increasing shares of both S&E and non-S&E bachelor's degrees from 1989 to 2007.
- The percentages of bachelor's degrees earned by underrepresented minorities (blacks, Hispanics, and American Indians/Alaska Natives) were similar in S&E and non-S&E fields throughout the period, reaching 17% and 18%, respectively, in 2007.
- Asians/Pacific Islanders earned a higher share of S&E than of non-S&E bachelor's degrees throughout the period, reaching 9% and 5%, respectively, in 2007.