Examining the Explanatory Variables that Impact Graduate Engineering Student Enrollment

Studies suggest that graduate education is vital to the innovation and economic well-being of a nation. Historically, the U.S. academic institutions have seen a larger fraction of international students enrolling in graduate engineering programs compared to undergraduate engineering programs. Several studies have been reported that address some of the concerns of low enrollment of U.S. born students in graduate engineering programs. This paper examines some of the explanatory variables that impact the graduate engineering student enrollment in the U.S. We study the enrollment pattern of undergraduate and graduate students at some major U.S. universities and examine key socioeconomic variables responsible for that enrollment pattern. Using Morgan State University as an example, we also examine the pattern of African-American students seeking graduate engineering education. It is found that better quality of life and competitive employment prospects coupled with excellence of U.S. engineering programs are key factors affecting the decision of international students to seek a U.S. graduate engineering program. On the other hand, lower household income and cost of education are key factors affecting the decision of U.S. born students to seek a U.S. graduate engineering program. For the African-American student, additional variables are also at play regarding this complex problem. The study has wider policy implications in the face of current employment and economic trends in the U.S.