Capital Region STEM Degree Awards Steady in 2024
The Capital Region’s output of STEM and health-related degrees remained steady in 2024, even as its higher education institution landscape underwent significant changes, according to a Center for Economic Growth (CEG).
In 2024, 17 traditional colleges1 and universities in the eight-county region awarded 3,396 STEM degrees,2 down 0.8 percent from the previous year. In addition to this total were 651 STEM degrees awarded by the region’s two distance learning institutions: Excelsior University and Empire State University. When combining traditional and distance learning institutions, there was a grand total of 4,047 STEM degree awards in the Capital Region, compared to 4,069 the previous year. In the important field of engineering, total degree award growth was flat at 1,009 while engineering technician degree awards were down 1.9 percent.
In addition to these STEM degrees, traditional and distance learnings institutions awarded a grand total of 3,176 degrees in health professions and related programs in 2024, up from 3,120 the previous year. Across all fields and at all institutions, the region’s total degree output was 20,162 in 2024, compared to 20,154 the previous year.
Between 2023 and 2024, STEM degree awards were markedly up at UAlbany (12.2 percent to 1,054), Siena University (42.7 percent to 127) and SUNY Schenectady (34.6 percent to 35). During the same period, health degree awards were markedly up at Hudson Valley Community College (12.6 percent to 232) and UAlbany (29.9 percent to 226).
A few months after most of these degrees were awarded in spring 2024, the College of Saint Rose in Albany closed, with many of its education programs being shifted to local institutions such as the University of Albany, Russell Sage College and Siena University. Clarkson University’s Capital Region Campus also shifted its graduate-level education programs to the Siena University.
NOTES
1 2024 data for the College of Saint Rose was noted reported in IPEDS for 2024. The institution’s 2024 degree total is based on reports that 668 students walked at the college’s final graduation ceremony that year, down 15.2 percent from the total awards reported by IPEDS for 2023. For Saint Rose’s 2024 STEM and Health Professions and Related Programs degree totals, that year-over-year rate of change was applied to these fields’ 2023 totals reported by IPEDS.
2 STEM fields include 1. Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services; 2. Engineering; 3. Engineering Technologies and Engineering-related Fields; 4. Biological and Biomedical Sciences; 5. Mathematics and Statistics; 6. Physical Sciences; 7. Science Technologies/Technicians; and 8. Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians.
CEG Initiatives
As a group sponsor for several apprenticeship programs in the Capital Region, CEG helps manufacturers upskill their workforce by leveraging community college partners, such as HVCC, and online education tools available via Tooling U. CEG currently supports 45 active apprentices at eight Capital Region manufacturers for the following trades: industrial maintenance technician, nanotechnology engineering technician, CNC machinist, and welder. Participating manufacturers include GlobalFoundries, NY CREATES, Plug Power, Ross Precision Machining, Meridian Manufacturing, Greno Industries, Jenks Manufacturing, and Espey Mfg, and Electronics.
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