Making college more affordable for students has become a top priority in the United States. But students typically pay far less than what it costs colleges and universities to educate students. These four briefs delve into the costs for higher education institutions and the financial costs for students in obtaining science degrees.

Where Are Students Getting Science Bachelor’s Degrees? What Are They Paying?
This AIR Data Brief examines where STEM and SBE majors are earning their degrees and what these students typically pay for their undergraduate education, with special emphasis on underrepresented minority populations. Students are seeking more affordable options, the brief finds, but student loan debt is a growing concern for broaden participation in STEM fields.

How Much Debt Do Science Bachelor’s Degree Recipients Accrue?
Concerns over college costs and student debt are at an all-time high. This AIR Data Brief looks into the impact that certain types of institutes, and degree programs (STEM or SBE sciences) can have on a student’s potential debt load, particularly among students who are underrepresented in the STEM fields.

How Much Debt Do Science Ph.D.s Accrue?
While undergraduates in the STEM and SBE fields tend to accumulate considerable student loan debt, this AIR Data Brief finds the opposite is true for many individuals pursuing doctorates in the sciences. Early debt accumulation at the undergraduate level can have dramatic implications for participation in advanced degrees, the brief explains.

How Much Does It Cost Institutions to Produce STEM Degrees?
This AIR Data Brief breaks down the “cost per degree” estimates for 28 disciplines, including those in the STEM fields, which among the most expensive degrees to produce. The brief points to ways colleges can change their tuition structure to finance STEM degrees more affordably.