Table 9. Percentage distribution of 2003–2004 high school seniors enrolled in a postsecondary institution with a declared major in 2006, by STEM and non-STEM major in 2006 and selected student and family characteristics: 2006

Education Longitudinal
Study of 2002 (ELS:2002)

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	STEM major in 2006									Non-STEM major¹ in 2006
Characteristic	Total	mathematics		Physical sciences		Biological/ life sciences	Engineering/ technologies/ technicians	Computer and information sciences		Total	Social/ behavioral science	Humanities	Business	Education	Health sciences
Total	21.6	1.0		1.7		7.2	2.7	2.7		78.4	21.4	16.2	17.0	9.6	13.8

Sex
Female	12.1	0.6		1.4		7.1	1.0	1.0		87.9	22.8	17.1	14.6	12.7	20.4
Male	34.0	1.4		2.1		7.4	4.8	4.8		66.0	19.7	14.7	20.2	5.7	5.3

Race/ethnicity²
White, non-Hispanic	21.2	1.0		1.9		7.1	8.9	2.2		78.8	21.1	17.0	17.3	10.7	12.5
Black, non-Hispanic	21.7	‡		‡		6.8	8.6	4.9		78.3	21.3	11.4	17.1	7.5	20.6
Hispanic	17.7	‡		0.7	!	5.3	8.2	2.8		82.3	26.1	14.9	16.4	10.3	13.8
Asian, non-Hispanic	33.4	0.6	!	2.4		15.2	11.2	3.7		66.6	17.1	12.4	17.8	1.8	16.6
All other races, non-Hispanic	24.5	‡		‡		5.2	12.4	1.8	!	75.5	21.0	20.8	12.4	7.0	13.2

Family socio-economic status
Lowest quartile	19.0	‡		1.2	!	4.3	9.2	3.5		81.0	17.0	13.2	17.5	9.4	23.4
Second quartile	22.0	‡		1.2	!	8.5	9.0	2.8		78.0	19.3	13.3	16.9	11.0	17.5
Third quartile	19.8	1.3		1.4		5.8	9.0	2.3		80.2	22.6	15.7	17.3	9.8	14.5
Highest quartile	23.8	1.1		2.4		8.6	9.2	2.5		76.2	23.4	18.8	16.7	8.9	7.9

Native language³
English	21.2	1.0		1.7		6.9	9.0	2.6		78.8	21.7	16.4	16.9	10.0	13.6
Non-English	25.0	0.6		1.6		9.6	10.1	3.1		75.0	19.6	13.5	18.2	7.3	15.3

! Interpret data with caution. Estimate is unstable because the coefficient of variation (CV) for this estimate is 30 percent or greater (i.e., the standard error represents 30 percent or more of the estimate).
‡ Reporting standards are not met. The coefficient of variation (CV) for this estimate is 50 percent or greater (i.e., the standard error represents 50 percent or more of the estimate).
¹ Non-STEM major also includes Multi/interdisciplinary studies and Other (0.4 percent of total), not shown.
² Black, non-Hispanic includes African American. Hispanic includes Latino. All other races, non-Hispanic includes American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, and Two or more races.
³ The first language the student learned to speak.
NOTE: Totals are weighted by F2QWT and other estimates are weighted by F2F1WT. 2003-2004 high school seniors who declared a double major are counted under primary major only. The flag variable G12COHRT was used to produce data that are based on 2003-2004 high school seniors interviewed in both 2004 and 2006. Non-STEM also includes 0.4 percent in other fields, therefore details may not sum to totals
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, "Education Longitudinal Study of 2002 (ELS: 2002) Second Follow-up, 2006."

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