BC Student Outcomes - Focus on STEM: Outcomes of Former Post-Secondary Students Who Participated in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics and Computer Programs

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Margaret

BC Student Outcomes presents results on post-secondary graduates and near-completers who participated in STEM and computer programs. It outlines how participation has shifted over the past five years, with the largest growth in STEM diploma programs and notable gender differences. The fact sheet also compares STEM program groups in 2017 and summarizes credential-specific patterns in further education and training, using cohort data and survey-year definitions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages11

Reading Time28 min

AccessFree to download

BC Student Outcomes

Focus on STEM

Program Participation

STEM Programs Over Time

STEM Program Groups

Further Education and Employment

Further Education

BCStudent Outcomes Shaping Post-Secondary Education BC STUDENT OUTCOMES Focus on STEM: Outcomes of Former Post-Secondary Students Who Participated in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics and Computer Programs Asignificant percentage of the former by BC Student Outcomes every year students who are surveyed have participated in STEM programs; that is, science, technology, engineering, or mathematics and computer programs, which include computer science and information technology-related programs. A full list of the STEM programs taken by post-secondary students who were eligible for the survey is appended to this fact sheet.1 PROGRAM PARTICIPATION STEM PROGRAMS OVER TIME Over the past five years, there has been an increase in the overall numbers of graduates and near-completers from STEM programs. The most noticeable growth has been in STEM diploma programs. Men participated in these programs at significantly higher rates than women. 1. The STEM designation is based on the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) 2011 STEM groupings from Statistics Canada. Notes: The following figures use data from each whole cohort submitted for surveying, not just respondents. The years shown are survey years—the years the data were collected. Trades foundation programs are not included. Baccalaureate | 40%
30%
20%
10%
0% |
20% 20% 21% 22% 22%

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Men Women Total | | --- | --- | Percentages of baccalaureate graduates from STEM programs have been consistent over the past five years. Associate Degree | 40%
30%
20%
10%
0% |
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Men Women Total | | --- | --- | The percentage of male former associate degree STEM students has increased since 2013. Diploma | 40%
30%
20%
10%
0% | 22%
19% 19%

18% 15%

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Men Women Total | | --- | --- | The percentage of former diploma students who took a STEM program has increased steadily between 2013 and 2017. BC STUDENT OUTCOMES FACT SHEET • PAGE 2 Certificate | 40%
30%
20%
10%
0% | 12% 11% 11% 10% 11%

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Men Women Total | | --- | --- | There has been some fluctuation in the percentages of male former certificate students who took STEM programs. STEM PROGRAM GROUPS In 2017, participation in STEM programs varied significantly by the type of program and by credential. Technology programs were associated with diploma and certificate credentials rather than baccalaureate or associate degree; the number of students participating in these programs was very low, however.2 Overall, women participated in science programs at a higher rate than men. In other areas, especially engineering, women were greatly outnumbered. Notes: The following figures use data from each whole cohort eligible for surveying in 2017, not just respondents. The percentages shown are of those in the named STEM group, based on those who took STEM programs. Trades foundation programs are not inlcuded. Baccalaureate | Science
Engineering Math & Computer
Technology | 1% 2
19% 8% 52%

| | --- | --- | | 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
Men Women | | 2. The list of programs defined as “technology” by the Statistics Canada 2011 groupings was limited and there were only five technology programs taken by former students eligible for the Student Outcomes surveys. See the appended List of STEM Programs. Over half of the baccalaureate STEM graduates took a science program. BC STUDENT OUTCOMES FACT SHEET • PAGE 3 Associate Degree | Math & Computer
Science
Engineering
Technology | 0% 11% 46
43% %

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
Men Women | | --- | --- | Almost half of the former associate degree STEM students took math and computer programs. Diploma | Engineering
Science

FAQs

What is the report’s focus on STEM programs and who are included in the analysis?

The report focuses on former post-secondary students who participated in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics and computer programs. It covers graduates and near-completers eligible for the survey, based on cohort data and survey-year definitions.

How did STEM program participation change over the past five years?

Overall numbers of graduates and near-completers from STEM programs increased. The most noticeable growth was in STEM diploma programs, and men participated at significantly higher rates than women.

What patterns are highlighted for further education among STEM students by credential?

Further education rates differ by credential and STEM group. The report notes higher likelihood for those completing science programs, and provides credential-specific findings such as two-thirds of baccalaureate science graduates taking further education and high further-study rates among associate degree engineering students.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Margaret