Work

Increasing Humanities and STEM Pipelines: Associations Between Student Characteristics and Academic Outcomes

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Humanities and STEM disciplines may face shortages of college graduates, particularly from underrepresented demographic groups. Using multilevel generalized linear models, we evaluated associations between student characteristics and 6-10-year academic outcomes in humanities and STEM pipelines from associate’s major declaration through post-enrollment wages among 92,169 first-time community college students. Nonarts humanities majors were more likely to graduate and begin graduate study. STEM majors earned higher wages after terminating their studies. To increase the output and diversity of the humanities and STEM pipelines, students’ early selection of humanities-related majors should be increased, and STEM students’ persistence and degree completion should be prioritized.

Source: Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice

DOI: 10.33423/jhetp.v25i2.7632

Authors: David Wutchiett, A. W. Logue, Zun Tang, Vita Rabinowitz

Institutions: City University of New York, Hunter College

Language: English

Topic: Higher Education Research Studies

Subfield: Education

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Quality education, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, City University of New York, Australian Government, Institute of Education Sciences