What does this measure?
The number of residents with a science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) degree, expressed as a percentage of all residents 25 and older.
Why is this important?
STEM degrees are an important component of the economy because STEM graduates workers tend to be more skilled and more highly paid than other workers. In addition, a region's future vitality is often tied to the strength of its STEM-related occupations. STEM graduates are in high demand and provide a talent pool for attracting organizations and firms depending on a similar base of scientific knowledge and skilled workers.
How does our county compare?
In 2023, 16% of residents in Lancaster County aged 25 or older had a STEM degree. This was lower than both the state rate of 24% and national rate of 20%, respectively. Lancaster County was tied with Cumberland County for the second-largest percentage of STEM graduates among surrounding counties, behind Dauphin (36%) and just above York (15%), Berks (11%), Lebanon (10%) and Chester (9%).
The percentage of STEM graduates in the area counties has grown by varying amounts since 2010. While Lancaster's rate increased by only two percentage point since 2010, Berks and Chester both increased by three percentage points, York decreased by three percentage points, and Dauphin County grew its number of STEM graduates by 22 percentage points since 2010.
Notes about the data
Certificates and all diplomas are included as STEM graduates. The STEM Designated Degree Program list is a complete list of fields of study that DHS considers to be science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) fields of study.
| 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 15% | 15% | 15% | 16% | 16% | 17% | 18% | 19% | 21% | 21% | 22% | 23% | 23% | 24% |
| Lancaster County | 14% | 14% | 13% | 14% | 13% | 14% | 14% | 16% | 16% | 15% | 15% | 14% | 15% | 16% |
| Berks County | 8% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 11% | 11% | 13% | 13% | 10% | 10% | 13% | 11% |
| Chester County | 6% | 7% | 7% | 7% | 7% | 8% | 8% | 10% | 9% | 9% | 9% | 9% | 9% | 9% |
| Cumberland County | 12% | 12% | 12% | 13% | 15% | 14% | 13% | 14% | 13% | 13% | 14% | 15% | 16% | 16% |
| Dauphin County | 14% | 14% | 14% | 15% | 14% | 16% | 19% | 26% | 33% | 35% | 36% | 39% | 40% | 36% |
| Lebanon County | 11% | 9% | 9% | 9% | 10% | 10% | 13% | 12% | 12% | 13% | 10% | 9% | 11% | 10% |
| York County | 18% | 15% | 11% | 14% | 13% | 13% | 12% | 15% | 15% | 17% | 14% | 15% | 15% | 15% |
Notes: Degree counts include both first and second degrees.
| 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 29,076 | 30,264 | 30,750 | 32,310 | 34,107 | 35,195 | 36,405 | 38,323 | 41,599 | 41,838 | 43,296 | 44,197 | 43,962 | 45,549 |
| Lancaster County | 616 | 639 | 615 | 657 | 667 | 676 | 691 | 777 | 768 | 738 | 782 | 708 | 748 | 785 |
| Berks County | 375 | 492 | 491 | 503 | 469 | 497 | 522 | 547 | 611 | 596 | 384 | 408 | 594 | 481 |
| Chester County | 410 | 463 | 487 | 492 | 523 | 533 | 552 | 678 | 622 | 678 | 583 | 636 | 609 | 612 |
| Cumberland County | 428 | 435 | 467 | 513 | 569 | 499 | 469 | 546 | 458 | 496 | 466 | 481 | 536 | 484 |
| Dauphin County | 599 | 603 | 655 | 639 | 636 | 670 | 749 | 1,031 | 1,468 | 1,572 | 1,251 | 1,354 | 1,789 | 1,430 |
| Lebanon County | 77 | 66 | 65 | 60 | 80 | 80 | 91 | 80 | 89 | 88 | 67 | 68 | 79 | 76 |
| York County | 527 | 451 | 335 | 406 | 344 | 369 | 318 | 343 | 285 | 281 | 209 | 233 | 251 | 238 |
Notes: Degree counts include both first and second degrees.
