Women in STEM are in high demand entering the professional workforce today. The reasons for this are manifold. Firstly, all employers are seeking more highly-trained candidates than ever, because STEM careers power our modern life (and future). Secondly, female STEM employees in particular are desired, because there is a shortage of women in these positions.
The good news is that more and more women are seeking out STEM degrees. Thankfully, STEM graduates generally find well-paying jobs in dynamic companies and industries soon after graduation.
If you’re interested in pursuing a career in STEM, we’re here to help. Let’s look at the best STEM schools in the U.S. for women.
What is STEM?
STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics—a quad group of fields that have achieved acronym status for their similar features and importance to today’s economy.
Fields of study that fall under STEM include:
- Natural, physical, and life sciences
- Computer, electronics, and other technology-related disciplines
- All types of engineering
- Mathematics and fields that apply mathematical principles
- And more!
STEM is considered critical for today’s economy because graduates with these skills can fill the jobs that power our modern-day lives.
But you can’t ask “What is STEM?” without also thinking about our future. These four fields of study also power the discoveries of tomorrow, including AI, energy production, immunology, and aerospace engineering.
Graduates of STEM programs often easily find well-paying jobs with advancement opportunities. This is due to the need for their skills and the shortage of workers with advanced STEM skills and knowledge.
What is the “STEM Gap?”
There is a gender discrepancy in STEM. Women represent only 34% of the U.S. workforce in science, technology, engineering, and math. And although women outnumber men on college campuses, men still vastly outnumber women majoring in most STEM fields. Repeating this pattern, many women choose not to pursue STEM fields out of fear of stereotype threat.
This is what is meant by the “STEM gap.” Bridging this gap is critical for innumerable reasons, in addition to economic expansion. For starters, ensuring diversity in the workplace is proven to reap financial benefits for companies, advance women’s economic empowerment, and continue scientific development.
Top STEM colleges and universities for women
In general, there are three types of top schools for women in STEM: nationally-ranked STEM schools, all-women colleges and universities, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
The school that is best for you will ultimately depend on several factors, including your preferred field of study, the location you want, cost, university size, and university culture. The following examples will help you understand your options and ultimately find the right STEM program for you.
Nationally-ranked STEM schools
Many of the best STEM schools in the U.S. are also simply the best schools overall. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), for example, is ranked #1 in the country for undergraduate engineering programs, #2 in the country for undergraduate mathematics programs, and #2 in the country overall for national universities (source: U.S. News & World Report).
Examples of top-ranked STEM colleges and universities include:
- MIT
- Stanford University
- University of Washington Seattle
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Rochester Institute of Technology
- Princeton University
Attending highly-ranked colleges and universities is a near-guaranteed way to receive a quality education in whatever course of study you pursue, including STEM.
All-women colleges and universities
Since women in STEM are underrepresented—both in the workplace and the classroom—some women in these fields might prefer to study at an all-women college or university.
All-women colleges and universities often provide increased access to career-enhancing opportunities and a more supportive learning environment than their co-ed counterparts. Here, women get all of the resources, support, lab access, and more, which, unfortunately, isn’t always the case in male-dominated spaces.
Examples of all-women colleges and universities include:
- Mount Holyoke College
- Wellesley College
- College of Saint Benedict
- Bryn Mawr College
- Spelman College (also an HBCU)
- Mount Mary University
Students often find other advantages to choosing an all-women institution, including enhanced camaraderie, safety, and an empowering experience.
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
As women are underrepresented in STEM, so too are people of color. According to the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, in 2021 Hispanics represented 15% of the total STEM workforce, lower than the 19.1% of the population they represent overall. At the same time, Black workers were 9% of the STEM workforce, while overall they represent an estimated 14.4% of the U.S. population.
Women of color report experiencing discrimination and other challenges in traditional STEM spaces. Many seek out learning environments that understand their needs and provide access to top opportunities and networks. For these reasons, in addition to all-women colleges, they often turn to HBCUs.
Examples of HBCUs include:
- Howard University
- Morehouse College
- Spelman College (also all-women)
- Fisk University
- Bennett College (also all-women)
Why you should consider getting a STEM degree
There are many reasons why getting a STEM degree is a smart choice in today’s world. For example:
- You’ll gain access to growing and thriving career opportunities. STEM powers our present and our future. Graduates with STEM degrees will participate in an exciting job market, full of possibilities and unlikely to become obsolete.
- These degrees give a high return on investment (ROI). A 2022 report by Georgetown University’s Center on Education found that of the top 10 degrees with the highest ROI (based on categories like median monthly earning net of debt and median debt), more than half were STEM-related fields.
- High-paying jobs. In 2021, the Department of Labor found that workers in STEM occupations earned a median annual salary of $95,420, while workers in non-STEM occupations earned $40,120.
So, what is STEM good for? According to the data, it’s good for many of the things college-bound students care about. Namely, will they be able to find a good job after graduation? With STEM, the answer is more likely than not, “yes.”
As more women in STEM are needed to fill the STEM gap in the workforce, women who succeed in these fields can find meaningful work and pride in their work to advance the role of women in today’s top jobs.
Additional resources for women in STEM
Check out our list of the best colleges for pursuing a career in artificial intelligence.
Find a top internship for women in STEM.
If math is your passion, you’ll want to read this guide to college mathematics majors.
Before you apply to that elite STEM school, familiarize yourself with the top 5 things that shine on a college application.
