U.S. Geoscience Degrees Granted Increases Across the Board in 2016-2017

PDF versionPDF version

Date updated: 2018-09-27
Data Brief 2018-007
Written and compiled by Christopher Keane for AGI, September 2018

Download Print Version

Across all degree levels, the number of degrees awarded in the geosciences in the U.S. increased in the 2016-2017 academic year. The continued increase in bachelor’s degrees reflects the rapid increase in geoscience enrollments earlier in the decade. The number of bachelor's degrees awarded increased 15%, master’s degrees increased 13%, and doctorates increased by almost 18%. At the graduate level, the accelerated throughput likely reflects the overall growth of enrollments at the bachelor's level propagating through the system. It may also reflect students who continued their education when hiring slowed during the most recent downturn in the energy industry.

U.S. geoscience degrees granted (1973-2017). Source: AGI Geoscience Workforce Program.

Related Geoscience Currents

cover of Currents Data Brief 2019-012

Highest Degree Fields of Geoscientists (2010-2017)

November 4, 2019
Geoscientists work across many fields studying the inte­rior and surface of the Earth, oceans, atmosphere, and the processes that impact these areas to provide solutions for issues that intersect society and earth systems. Data from the National Science Foundation’s National Survey of College...

U.S. Female Geoscience Enrollments Show Variability in 2017

November 14, 2018
Female undergraduate enrollment rates retreated slightly after several years of increases. Interestingly, the female participation rate in graduate enrollments rose sharply. This increase might be in response to an overall slower geoscience job market for bachelor’s recipients. This is likely...

Geoscience Enrollments Remain Robust in 2016-2017

September 26, 2018
Enrollments in U.S. geoscience programs remained relatively steady during the 2016-2017 academic year. Undergraduate enrollments have not substantially changed since 2012. However, a growing percentage of those undergraduate enrollments are in online degree programs, which have been offsetting...

U.S. Female Geoscience Enrollments and Degrees Experience - Marked Change in 2016

December 28, 2017
The participation rate of women in geoscience degree programs saw marked changes in 2016. There was a spate of doctoral degrees awarded to women in 2016, which has also been reflected in a decline in the participation rate of graduate enrollment of women. We observe that often December graduates...

U.S. Geoscience Enrollments Sag, Bachelor and Doctoral Degrees Rise in 2016

May 5, 2017
Enrollments in U.S. geoscience programs remained robust during the 2015-2016 academic year. Undergraduate enrollments slipped about 5% but remains near record levels, while graduate enrollments dipped slightly. The slip in undergraduate enrollments may reflect a perceived softness in geoscience...

U.S. Female Geoscience Enrollments and Degrees Remain Level in 2015

June 2, 2016
The participation rate of women in geoscience degree programs has continued its slow decline over the last decade. Undergraduate participation rates have leveled off around the 40% level, while graduate participation rates continue to drift down to about 42%. These are compared to historical highs...