Degree recipients from the University of California’s (UC) undergraduate and graduate science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programs go on to conduct valuable scientific research and drive the state’s and the nation’s technology and innovation sectors. In 2019-20 UC awarded over 38,000 STEM undergraduate and graduate degrees, which accounted for 36 percent of STEM degrees awarded in California and about 4 percent of STEM degrees awarded in the nation. California 4-year colleges and universities awarded over 106,000 STEM degrees in 2019-20. UC’s 38,000 STEM degrees outpaced all other universities in the state.
UC’s undergraduate and graduate STEM programs reflect the leading industries in California’s economy. In addition to leading all California institutions in the number of engineering and computer science degrees awarded, UC far outpaces them in the number of degrees awarded in the life sciences. UC’s undergraduate STEM undergraduate degree recipients go on to work California’s key STEM industries that fuel the state’s economic growth. Large percentages of UC’s undergraduate STEM degree recipients bring their skills to California’s healthcare, manufacturing, engineering and internet/computer systems sectors.
Since 2000 UC has outpaced AAU peer institutions in the racial/ethnic diversity of its STEM graduates, and the gap between them has only grown. Seventeen percent of UC’s STEM graduates are from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups (URG; African American, American Indian, and Hispanic/Latino(a)), up from 9 percent in 2000. This percentage has remained lower at AAU public and private institutions.
To learn more, download a topic brief about STEM degrees awarded at UC.
- STEM – STEM is an acronym for science, technology, engineering and math education.
- Socioeconomic Diversity – Socioeconomic diversity means having representation from a variety of social classes (family income and social position based on income, education and occupation), not necessarily dependent on race or gender.
- Baccalaureate - Bachelor's degree, an academic degree received upon the completion of a student's undergraduate education.