How do states compare in awarding advanced S&E degrees?

Almost 184,000 advanced (master’s and doctoral degrees) degrees in S&E fields were awarded nationwide in 2011, 48% more than in 2001. Advanced degrees made up 25% of all S&E degrees (excluding associate’s degrees) conferred in 2011, a small increase over the 24% S&E share in 2001.

• Four states each produced more than 10,000 S&E advanced degrees in 2011, together accounting for 34% of all S&E advanced degrees conferred nationwide: California (23,415), New York (16,797), Texas (11,960), and Illinois (10,266). Advanced degrees represent 26–33% of all S&E degrees conferred in these states.
• The share of S&E advanced degrees as a percentage of all S&E degrees conferred in 2011 ranged from 8% in Maine to 33% in Illinois.
• Between 2001 and 2011, 29 states and the District of Columbia showed increases, and 21 states showed decreases, in the percentage of their S&E graduates earning advanced degrees. (See chart data, referenced below, for detail on individual states.)