“The future of the economy is in STEM … that’s where the jobs of tomorrow will be,” says James Brown, the executive director of the STEM Education Coalition in Washington D.C.
STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and if you are looking for a strong return on investment (ROI), now is an ideal time to be thinking about getting an advanced STEM education. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that jobs in the STEM fields will be the fastest growing between 2012-2022, with more than 1 million jobs being added — totaling more than 9 million jobs available.
West Virginia University offers a variety of STEM-related degrees, but to get the best bang for your buck, we have put together a list of four graduate degrees with the best ROI, one from each of the STEM fields. These degrees were selected because of their top scores in average earnings and job growth based on research put together by World Wide Learn, including studies from the National Center for Education Statistics and the BLS.
Biology and other natural sciences scored highest on the earnings index, with management careers in the field averaging $136,450 according to the 2014 national average salary. These careers are anticipated to remain on a steady projected growth, concurrent with the national average.
West Virginia University’s Biology professionals are conducting relevant research — here’s how.
Kristyn Lizbinski, a doctoral student studying Biology at West Virginia University, is on a mission to reveal that every neuron is a unique snowflake. In more technical terms, she's researching the principles of neuron diversity. “In order for us to understand our own brain, we have to understand how diverse populations of neurons coordinate their activity to ultimately result in a behavior or decision,” Lizbinski said. “We’re also beginning to understand that neurons are like snowflakes. Each one is different, each possessing a different set of tools. That’s where this study comes in.”
With a graduate degree in computer science, you will thrive in a career in the growing fields of computer science and information technology. The BLS projects that employment opportunities in this field will grow 12 percent by 2024. Combined with high average earnings of $80,000-$110,000, (depending on your chosen career) this makes computer science one of the best STEM degrees for a serious ROI.
West Virginia University’s Computer Science faculty professionals are conducting research relevant to technological advancements — here’s how.
Yanfang (Fanny) Ye, assistant professor of computer science and electrical engineering at West Virginia University, has been awarded a grant from the National Institute of Justice in support of her work to develop novel artificial intelligence techniques to combat the opioid epidemic and trafficking. The award comes with about $1 million in funding over a three-year period.
Civil Engineering is another STEM field that is projected to experience above average earnings of $83,540, and remain on a constant path of job growth slightly above the national average of 7 percent.
At WVU the M.S. in Civil Engineering degree aims to develop its students' abilities to use today's contemporary methods of engineering analysis and design to solve tomorrow's engineering problems. Students will receive industry-ready knowledge and skills coupled with field-relevant research.
West Virginia University’s Engineering faculty professionals are conducting research relevant to various engineering fields — here’s how.
Dr. Radhey Sharma, the chairman of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources at WVU has been internationally recognized for his research in this STEM field. He received the Telford Medal, a top award, from the Institute of Civil Engineers in London. He has also published numerous papers for international journals and publications. He continues to be a leader in the field of Civil Engineering and focuses his research on sustainable civil infrastructure.
The field of STEM would not be complete without mathematics. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in 2017, mathematicians earned a median salary of about $103,010 per year while statisticians earned a median salary of about $84,760 per year.
The Mathematics Ph.D. program at WVU is structured so as to assume a background equivalent to that of an M.S. in mathematics. The program offers a range of specializations reflecting faculty interests across pure and applied mathematics, including faculty concentrations in graph theory, differential equations, and undergraduate mathematics education.
West Virginia University’s Mathematics professionals are conducting relevant research — here’s how.
The Department of Mathematics is committed to excellence in undergraduate and graduate training as well as in research and scholarships in pure and applied Mathematics and in service to West Virginia. Department faculty members have won College and University awards for teaching, research, and service.
Our faculty conduct active research in a broad range of areas, including combinatorics, topology, mathematical biology, differential equations, numerical analysis, collegiate mathematics education, and scientific computing.
If you are looking to make a great investment in your future and receive a significant return on that investment, a graduate degree in a STEM field is the perfect place to start. Let us here at WVU, help you get started on your path to STEM education success.
As an aspiring STEM professional and leader, we invite you to explore our newest interactive resource — A Guide to Graduate Programs and Careers in STEM!