Field of degree
stem_degree_rateSTEM field of degree
Share of bachelor’s degree holders age 25–64 with a field included in an NDC STEM classification.
What this measure means
The weighted percentage of civilian noninstitutionalized adults age 25–64 with a bachelor’s degree or higher whose first or second reported bachelor’s field is included in an NDC classification of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This definition requires a separate mapping of degree fields to STEM.
The Census science and engineering measure uses a different classification. Its results should not be treated as estimates of this custom STEM measure.
Who is included
- Population (universe)
- Civilian noninstitutionalized bachelor's degree holders age 25–64
- Age range
- 25–64
- Measure and unit
- Rate; Percent
- Denominator
- degree holders in universe
Supported data sources and areas
These are the combinations this definition supports. Available estimates depend on the selected release, source coverage and reporting rules. National estimates can use annual or pooled ACS data; state estimates use pooled data. Eligible PUMA estimates use annual or pooled data with the selected release's native boundaries.
Products
- ACS 1-year
- ACS 5-year
Geographies
- United States
- State and District of Columbia
- Public Use Microdata Area (PUMA), using the selected release’s documented native boundaries
Compatible ACS release years
ACS 1-year: 2015 onward, excluding 2020; ACS 5-year: periods ending in 2015 onward
Analysis options defined for this measure
The explorer shows the options available in the selected release. Calculated changes between periods are currently unavailable.
Filters and breakdowns
- Race and ethnicity
- Sex reported in the ACS
- Disability
- Additional disability
Calculations
- Difference
- Percentage point difference
- Ratio
- Percent change
Uncertainty and reliability
- When results are withheld
- Results are withheld when fewer than 351 survey records are included in the denominator.
- When to use caution
- Results are marked unstable when the standard error exceeds 30% of the estimate's absolute value. This is the relative standard error (RSE). Use these estimates with caution.
Survey weights used: PWGTP and PWGTP1–PWGTP80
Version and sources
- Definition version
- ndc-definitions-2026.12
- Methodology version
- ndc-observatory-2026.3
- Change note
- Removes the tautological field-of-degree breakdown and filter from the STEM outcome metric.