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By the numbers: Who's going to grad school in chemistry and chemical engineering in the US 2006–16

Average annual growth in enrollment for chemical engineering was higher than chemistry over the last decade, though growth in graduation rates was similar

by Andrea Widener
February 26, 2018 | A version of this story appeared in Volume 96, Issue 9

To see the most recent Council of Graduate Schools data, please click here.

 

The Council of Graduate Schools every two years releases data analyzing the previous decade of graduate school enrollment and degree awards. The department-specific data, which is not publicly available, can help disciplines see trends in first-time and total enrollment, as well as specific demographic changes. The newest survey looks at data from the years 2006–16.

In chemistry, enrollment over the past decade was down slightly, with an average annual decrease of more than 1%. The previous report, with data from the years 2004–14, showed almost flat enrollment for chemistry. The 2006–16 data also showed that enrollment was down more for women than men. The percentage of degrees awarded is up, which indicates increased student retention. First-time enrollment of Hispanic students was particularly strong, up an average of 10% each year.

Chemical engineering had higher average annual enrollment across the board, including average annual increases of almost 5% for total enrollment of women. Degrees awarded were also strong for women, especially for those receiving a master’s. Asian Americans and Pacific Islander students had the largest enrollment increases, up an average of 10% a year. They made up 19% of U.S. citizens and permanent residents entering chemical engineering graduate school in 2016, as opposed to 9% in chemistry.

 

How has enrollment changed over the past decade?

First-time enrollment for Hispanic chemistry students grew an average of 10% a year, while the proportion of women initially enrolling was down. Average annual change in first-time enrollment in chemical engineering programs was greatest for Asian students.

Note: In 2016, 4,270 students enrolled for the first time in graduate chemistry programs, and the total enrollment was 19,751, according to this survey. Another 2,166 students enrolled for the first time in graduate chemical engineering programs, and the total enrollment was 7,818. Racial categories include only U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Numbers for American Indian/Alaska Native students are not reported because the numbers are too small to be significant.

Source: Council of Graduate Schools (includes data from 625 graduate schools that responded to the survey)


 

Who is going to graduate school?

White students were still the vast majority of U.S. citizens and permanent residents who enrolled for the first time in chemistry and chemical engineering graduate programs in 2016.

 
Source: Council of Graduate Schools (includes data from 625 graduate schools that responded to the survey)


 

Who is graduating?

While average enrollment in chemistry programs was down, the average annual per- centage of degrees awarded increased. In chemical engineering, the average annual percentage of women graduating increased the most.

Note: In 2016, 2,582 doctoral degrees and 2,019 master's degrees were awarded in chemistry; 870 doctoral degrees and 1,392 master's degrees were awarded in chemical engineering.

Source: Council of Graduate Schools (includes data from 625 graduate schools that responded to the survey)

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