The number of female students awarded a STEM degree or certificate in the U.S. has steadily risen over the most recent 8-year period, according to NCES data cited by Statista. The number of male students awarded a STEM degree or certificate in the U.S. has also increased in that same period.

Due in part to the consistent rise in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics ) graduates overall, the gender gap continues and, in raw numbers, is larger than it was in the 2008-2009 school year. Looking at the percent change, female students are turning to STEM. The number of male students who have been granted a STEM degree or certificate increased by 38 percent between the 2008-2009 and the 2015-2016 school year, while the number of female students who achieved the same degree or certificate increased by 48 percent.