Archived: Graduates in STEM and identified high-demand employment programs in public 4-year colleges

According to the 2013 Washington Roundtable study "Great Jobs Within our Reach," there are 25,000 unfilled jobs in Washington which will grow to 50,000 by 2017. 80% of these jobs will be in high-skill STEM and health care roles. Eliminating the job skills gap could result in 160,000 new jobs, lower the employment rate by up to 2%, and generate $720 million in additional state tax revenues. Eliminating the job skills gap will require resources to: (1) increase capacity in higher education; and (2) enhance K-12 student interest in STEM subjects.

We currently produce 12,809 STEM and High Demand degrees within the public baccalaureate sector.

We are implementing programmatic changes and enrollment increases related targeted State Investments in STEM and High Demand degree programs during the 2013-15 Biennia. STEM and High Demand education is resource intensive and costs more to provide labs and practical training components. Increased State investments in these high cost programs will help ensure access and success for Washington students.

STEM and High Demand investments were made at Central Washington University, Eastern Washington University, Washington State University, the University of Washington, and Western Washington University.