STEM Overview

Overall STEM Interest

Between 2011 and 2015, the percent of students interested in STEM increased by 1%.

Student STEM Interest Trends: 2011–2015

  2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Percent Nation 48% 48% 48% 49% 49%
N Count Nation 780,541 804,507 868,194 899,684 939,049
Overall STEM Interest
  • 939,049 graduates have an interest in STEM.
Expressed and Measured Interest
  • 320,030 graduates have an expressed and measured interest in STEM, which is 34% of the overall interest.
Chart Table
Percent of 2015 ACT-Tested High School Graduates Meeting ACT College Readiness Benchmarks by Subject
Percent of 2015 ACT-Tested High School Graduates Meeting ACT College Readiness Benchmarks by Subject
Subject Percent Meeting Benchmark
English 68%
Reading 50%
Mathematics 49%
Science 45%
All Four Subjects 33%
Chart Table
Percent of 2015 ACT-Tested High School Graduates Meeting ACT College Readiness Benchmarks by Subject
Percent of 2015 ACT-Tested High School Graduates Meeting ACT College Readiness Benchmarks by Subject
Subject Percent Meeting Benchmark
English 77%
Reading 59%
Mathematics 58%
Science 54%
All Four Subjects 42%
Expressed Interest Only
  • 453,717 graduates have an expressed interest in STEM, which is 48% of the overall interest.
Measured Interest Only
  • 165,302 graduates have a measured interest in STEM, which is 18% of the overall interest.
Chart Table
Percent of 2015 ACT-Tested High School Graduates Meeting ACT College Readiness Benchmarks by Subject
Percent of 2015 ACT-Tested High School Graduates Meeting ACT College Readiness Benchmarks by Subject
Subject Percent Meeting Benchmark
English 64%
Reading 45%
Mathematics 46%
Science 40%
All Four Subjects 29%
Chart Table
Percent of 2015 ACT-Tested High School Graduates Meeting ACT College Readiness Benchmarks by Subject
Percent of 2015 ACT-Tested High School Graduates Meeting ACT College Readiness Benchmarks by Subject
Subject Percent Meeting Benchmark
English 65%
Reading 48%
Mathematics 40%
Science 39%
All Four Subjects 27%
 

* Note: Percents in this report may not sum to 100% due to rounding.