In the fall of 2013, Virginia's (VA) public and private, nonprofit institutions enrolled 537,370 students. Of those, of 457,725 enrolled in degree level programs. The remaining number represents students enrolled in certificate programs of varying levels. Of the 457,725 students, a total of 129,179 students (28%) were enrolled in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, or Health Profession (STEM-H) degree programs. Of that total, 17% were enrolled in an associate - bachelor's credit degree program, 16% enrolled in an associate - technical/occupational (tech) credit degree program, 49% enrolled in a bachelor's degree program, 14% enrolled in a graduate degree program (includes master's and doctor's) and the remaining four percent in a first professional degree program (e.g. medicine, pharmacy, etc.) In breaking down STEM-H enrollment by gender and degree level, data indicate similar enrollment patterns between men and women. In fall of 2013, 232,885 men enrolled at VA public and private, nonprofit institutions. Of that total, 62,200 men (27%) enrolled in a STEM-H degree program - 20% enrolled in an associate - bachelor's credit degree program, 12% in an associate - tech credit degree program, 50% in a bachelor's degree program, 15% in graduate and 4% in first professional degree programs. During this same period, 303,821 women enrolled at VA public and private, nonprofit institutions. Of that total, 66,902 women (22%) enrolled in STEM-H degree programs - 13% enrolled in an associate - bachelor's credit degree program, 20% in an associate - tech credit degree program, 48% in a bachelor's degree program, 14% in graduate and 4% in first professional degree programs. One noticeable difference between genders is the percentage enrolled in STEM-H programs at the associate degree level. In fall 2013, 20% of men enrolled in an associate - bachelor's credit degree program compared to 13% of women. On the flip side, 20% of women enrolled in a program at the associate - tech credit degree level versus 12% of men.
The chart and table below display the breakdown of total enrollment by gender in STEM, health profession and all other programs (includes certificate programs) from fall 2004 to fall 2013. STEM Over the last 10 years, the number of men enrolled in STEM programs rose by 53% (19,120 students), while the number of women enrolled grew by 51% (11,460 students). Of the total number of men enrolled in fall 2013, 24% of men enrolled in STEM programs, up two percentage points from fall 2004. Of the total number of women enrolled during that same time period, 11% of women enrolled in STEM programs, up one percentage point from fall 2004. Health Professions The number of men enrolled in health profession programs rose by 49% (3,260 students) in the last 10 years, while the number of women enrolled increased by 57% (15,471 students) during the same time period. Of the total number of men enrolled in fall 2013, four percent enrolled in health profession programs. A percentage that remains unchanged from fall 2004. However, of the total number of women enrolled, 14% enrolled in health profession programs, up two percentage points from fall 2004. STEM-H Over the last 10 years, the number of men enrolled in STEM-H programs increased by 52% (22,380 students), while the number of women enrolled grew by 54% (26,931 students) during the same time. Of the total number of men enrolled in the fall of 2013, 28% enrolled in STEM-H programs. Of the total number of women enrolled during the same period, 25% enrolled in STEM-H programs. When compared to fall 2004, the percentage of men and women enrolled in STEM-H programs increased, up three and four percentages points respectively.
Below are highlights of gender enrollment in both STEM and health profession programs by specific program level from fall 2004 to fall 2013. 1. From fall 2004, men and women enrolled in STEM programs at the associate - bachelor's credit degree level grew substantially, 183% (8,051 men) and 111% (4,599 women) respectively. At the same degree level, men enrolled in health profession programs declined by -87% (46 students) and women by -52% (149 students); although the decrease in enrollment in is small in terms of raw numbers. (details) 2. Men and women enrolled in STEM programs at the associate - technical credit degree level declined over the last 10 years. The number of men enrolled decreased by -13% (744 students), while the number of women enrolled decreased by -50% (1,276 students). However at the same degree level, the number of men and women enrolled in health profession programs increased, 125% (1,285 men) and 79% (5,366 women) respectively. (details) 3. Of the total number of men enrolled in fall 2013, 26% of men were enrolled in STEM programs at the four-year bachelor's degree level, up three percentage points from fall 2004. Of the total number of women enrolled at the same degree level, 14% of women were enrolled in STEM programs, up two percentage points from 10 years ago. (details) 4. At the four-year bachelor's degree level, men and women enrolled in STEM programs grew over the last 10 years. The number of women enrolled grew by 56% (6,835 students), while the number of men enrolled grew by 54% (9,913 students). (details) 5. The number of men and women enrolled in health profession programs at the four-year bachelor's degree level also increased from fall 2004 to fall 2013. The number of men enrolled increased faster than the number of women enrolled - 212% (1,658 men) and 107% (6,709 women). (details) 6. Of the total number of men enrolled at the four-year bachelor's degree level in fall 2013, 29% enrolled in STEM-H programs, up five percentage points from fall 2004. Of the total number of women enrolled during the same fall term and degree level, 24% enrolled in STEM-H programs, up six percentage points from 10 years ago. (details) 7. From fall 2004 to fall 2013, the number of men and women enrolled in both STEM and health professions programs grew at the master's (details) and doctorate (details) degree levels. 8. Of the total number of men enrolled in fall 2013 at the master's degree level, 25% of men were enrolled in STEM-H programs, down 8 percentage points from fall 2004. Of the total number of women enrolled during the same fall term and degree level, 19% of women were enrolled in STEM-H programs, down one percentage point from fall 2004. (details) 9. Of the total number of men enrolled in fall 2013 at the doctorate degree level, 50% enrolled in STEM-H programs. Of the total women enrolled during the same fall term and degree level, 36% enrolled in STEM-H programs. The percentage of men and women enrolled in STEM-H programs at the doctorate degree level are both down five and four percentage points from 10 years ago. (details) 10. The number of men and women enrolled in health profession programs at the first professional degree level increased from fall 2004 to fall 2013. The number of men enrolled grew by 59% (910 students) and the number of women rose by 49% (954 students). (details) 11. In fall 2013, 52% of women were enrolled in health profession programs at the first professional degree level, compared to 48% of women enrolled in all other programs. The percent of women enrolled in health profession programs increased two percentage points from fall 2004. Conversely, 35% of men were enrolled in health profession programs during the same fall term and degree level, compared to 65% of men enrolled in all other programs. The percent of men enrolled in health profession programs decreased one percentage point from 10 years ago. (details)