Grad school? Not right now

ASEE Prism, Sep 2000 by Walker, Dionne

Declining admissions in graduate science and engineering programs nationwide could soon mean more than just empty classrooms-they could signal a shift in the American economy, according to a new National Science Foundation study. NSF researchers warn that if the trend continues, it could lead to a shortage of skilled workers that could hurt the U.S. economy.

Enrollment in graduate-school science and engineering programs fell from 435,886 in 1993 to 407,644 in 1997, a surprising drop after a decade of annual increases. The good news is that female enrollment in science-related graduate programs is up. At the same time, enrollment of foreign students has gone down from 109,462 in 1993 to 98,809 in 1997.

A strong economy may bear much of the responsibility for the decline. Most bachelor's degree recipients have been able to get high-paying jobs, making them think twice about going on for more schooling. NSF spokesman Bill Knoxin says there is another trend that bears part of the blame. In the past, when graduate school enrollment in science-related fields went down, an influx of foreign-- born students would pick up the slack. But in recent years, more foreign students have begun attending schools in their own countries.

Knoxin believes the problem will reverse itself in time. "Many of these students may come back for their graduate degrees, because they'll find they can only go so far with a bachelor's degree," he says.