What Are STEM Degrees & Job Opportunities in USA for STEM Graduates

STEM degrees are programs focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. These courses emphasize technical proficiency, mathematical aptitude, scientific inquiry, and sharpen critical skills like analytical problem solving and data literacy. In the US job market, while entry-level jobs are going through a lukewarm period, job opportunities in USA for STEM graduates (even at the entry-level) is higher. This is so because STEM professionals have a ‘specialist’ edge. STEM jobs are the primary drivers of economic growth, and therefore, the top choice for employers despite a tightening market. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), STEM jobs are projected to grow thrice as much as non-STEM jobs.

Since STEM graduates possess specialized technical skills that are harder to find, they remain the top choice for recruiters. This also makes STEM jobs relatively more ‘recession-proof’. In this blog, we will discuss what STEM degrees are, their benefits, and their significance for job opportunities in the US.

Confused About STEM Eligibility?

Beyond the Acronym – STEM is much more than just S, T, E and M

While we’ve understood the fundamental definition of STEM above, please do not restrict your understanding of STEM to the four isolated academic subjects S, T, E and M, mentioned above. In the modern landscape, it is better to think of STEM as a ‘Technical Stamp of Approval’ from the US government. So, any subject can qualify as STEM if the curriculum is built around rigorous, high-level skills like data literacy, quantitative modeling, computational analysis, evidence-based reasoning, applied research methodology, statistical inference, algorithmic thinking etc etc. This distinction is crucial for an applicant.

  1. Biology is ‘Science’, and ‘Science’ is STEM. So a Biology program should be a STEM degree. Sounds logical, doesn’t it? But that’s not always the case! Pure Biology will not be considered a STEM degree if it constitutes General Theory, Evolutionary History, Qualitative Observation (like describing physical traits of a species). However, Molecular Biology is almost always STEM-designated because it requires quantitative analysis (it requires sequencing DNA, measuring protein expressions, and using computational modeling to understand microscopic processes)

  2. On the other hand, Economics is traditionally a ‘Humanities’ or a Social Science subject, which makes many assume it can never be STEM. However, if you are studying an Economics program that focuses heavily on econometrics, quantitative theory and statistical programming (like R or Python), it will earn that STEM stamp. This is because the US government recognizes that these specific skills are essential for high-level data analysis in the modern financial & tech sectors.

Hence, it is more about the ‘skill set’ you acquire through a particular program rather than just the ‘name of the program’ that decides whether or not it is STEM. STEM represents an evolution from rote memorization toward a mindset that prioritizes logical reasoning and problem-solving.

The ‘Hidden’ STEM subjects

As the global economy becomes increasingly data-driven, the boundaries of STEM degrees have expanded. So, you don’t have to be wearing a lab coat or be an engineer (in the traditional sense of the word) to earn a STEM degree. Several ‘hidden’ subjects now offer the same tag. Some of them are mentioned below: –

  1. STEM MBA:

    Traditionally, an MBA was considered a general management degree. However, top US business schools have introduced STEM-designated MBAs. These MBAs are not just about some general leadership theories, but also include high-level Business Analytics, Supply Chain Optimization, and Financial Modeling. These are some of the top STEM MBA programs in the USA.

  2. Econometrics & Quantitative Economics

    While a standard Economics degree might focus on history and social policy, Econometrics is the ‘math-heavy’ or a ‘quant-heavy’ version. It uses high-level statistics and computer programming to test economic theories. Because it relies so heavily on data science, it is almost always STEM-designated.

  3. Digital Arts & UX Research

    Even the creative world has gone STEM! Many students are surprised to find that ‘Design’, which is traditionally associated with ‘creative skills’, can also be a STEM degree. But how can a creative field be categorized alongside Engineering? It’s because creativity is no longer just about ‘aesthetic appeal’, it is about Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) which is a highly technical field.

    Let’s look at User Experience (UX) research. This is far more than just picking colors for an app. It is Behavioral Science. Instead of guessing simply what looks good, you use eye-tracking data, A/B testing, and statistics to see exactly how a human brain reacts to a screen. Because you are using the scientific method to solve design problems, it earns the STEM stamp. Similarly, take the example of Digital Animation. Today’s animators are essentially ‘technical artists’. Creating realistic water, fur, or light in a movie requires a deep understanding of Physics and Coding too. To make these elements look real, you have to write complex algorithms. So, you’re not just sketching a character; you are using math and computer science to build a digital world that behaves like the real one.

  4. Cross-Disciplinary STEM subjects

    While the above examples showcase a cross between Arts and Computing, this cross-disciplinarity is happening in other industries too. We are also seeing the emergence of ‘Hybrid’ degrees that solve modern problems. For instance, FinTech is the intersection of Finance and Technology, Health Informatics is using Big Data to manage healthcare systems, and Sustainability Science combines Environmental Science with Engineering and Data.

Discover STEM MBAs & Hidden STEM Degrees You Didn’t Know About

The Legal & Professional Power of a ‘STEM Designation’

Before we explain the many benefits of a STEM degree, we must clear up a major misconception.

  1. Just because a university calls a program a ‘STEM degree’ in its brochure doesn’t mean this degree will earn you the benefits/perks. To the US government, only one thing matters, and this is the ‘STEM Designation’. While a University designs its curriculum, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) decides if the curriculum is ‘technical’ enough to earn the degree the stamp of approval as a STEM program. If it is, the degree is added to the US government’s official STEM Designated Degree Program List.

  2. Every such degree is assigned a 6-digit number called a CIP Code (Classification of Instructional Programs). A university might name a course ‘Master’s in Innovative Business’, but the government only looks at the CIP Code assigned to it. If your degree’s CIP Code is on the official DHS list, you are STEM-Designated. If it is not, then irrespective of the name of the degree, it is not STEM.

  3. Once you know the CIP Code of your intended program, check if its listed as STEM on the official ICE.gov website. Once you receive the admission offer, check your I-20 (the document you need for your visa); that will also list the CIP Code. Without this official designation, you are essentially a ‘General’ student, not a STEM student.

Benefits of a STEM Designated degree

You might be wondering why you should choose a math-heavy rigorous version of a course when you could take a simpler, more theoretical one. While your workload may be more demanding, the legal and career rewards, including significantly broader job opportunities in the USA for STEM graduates, which a STEM-designated degree unlocks, could be life-changing.

Here is exactly what you gain: –

  1. The 36-Month OPT is the most well-known benefit of a STEM-designated degree. While a general (non-STEM) degree allows you to work in the US for 12 months (Optional Practical Training) after graduation, a STEM-designated degree allows a 24-month extension, giving you full three years to explore job opportunities in the USA, gain deep industry experience, and help pay off student loans faster.

  2. It will triple your chances at the H-1B Lottery. This work visa is awarded via a random lottery once a year. A non-STEM graduate gets only one chance at the lottery before their 1 year of work authorization expires. So, in all, they get only one chance. However, a STEM graduate can pursue job opportunities in the US for three years, which in turn grants them three separate lottery entries (one for each year of their 3-year OPT), significantly increasing their odds of securing a long-term future in the US.

  3. STEM graduates typically get higher starting salaries, and their job is also comparatively more recession-proof. This is so because, in a fluctuating market, technical roles remain the primary driver of the US economy, making job opportunities in the USA for STEM graduates much more stable.

  4. Even if you leave the US, a STEM label is a gold standard worldwide. Whether you go to London, Singapore, or back home, the STEM label proves you possess the quantitative and technical skills that modern global companies are desperate to hire.

Data doesn’t lie, and certainly not government-backed data. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for STEM roles is approximately USD 104,000, while non-STEM roles sit at a median of roughly USD 48,000. This massive wage gap proves that a STEM designation is your fast track to most lucrative job opportunities in the US for STEM graduates and worldwide.

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FAQs

No, the U.S. government (USCIS) grants your work authorization in two distinct phases

  1. Phase 1: Initial Post-Completion OPT (12 Months). Irrespective of your major, every international student is first granted exactly 12 months of work authorization. You apply for this during your final semester.

  2. Phase 2: The STEM Extension (24 Months). During the last 90-day window, you apply for the ‘STEM Extension. If approved, you get the additional 24 months, bringing your total to 36 months. 

Why is this so? The next FAQ will answer this So, please read on! 


Note: The 24 months extension is a ‘privilege’, not a ‘guarantee’.

Yes, you can, but only if the following conditions are met. 

  1. While you can work for almost any employer during Phase 1, your employer for Phase 2 must be officially registered with ‘E-Verify’. E-verify is a federal compliance that checks if the employer is a legally registered business, and is following federal hiring laws. 

  2. Unlike Phase 1, where unpaid internships and even volunteer roles are sometimes allowed, the STEM extension must be a paid position.

  3. You and your employer must submit a formal Form I-983 Training Plan that outlines specific learning objectives, and how your manager will supervise you during that period. It also proves that your role is a high-level technical position directly related to your STEM degree. 

It is important to understand this difference because choosing the wrong one can accidentally shorten your stay in the US.

  1. Pre-Completion OPT allows you to work while you are still enrolled in your degree (for example, during summer breaks). However, there is a catch here. Any number of months you use for your Pre-Completion OPT is deducted from your initial 12 months (Phase 1) of Post-Completion OPT. If you use 2 months of full-time Pre-Completion OPT, you will only have 10 months left after you graduate. That’s why it is wise to use CPT (Curricular Practical Training) for internships etc. pre-completion, because CPT does not eat into your 12-month Phase 1 bucket.

  2. Post-Completion OPT is the work authorization that begins after you graduate. You can apply for the 24-month STEM extension only during the Post-Completion OPT. By saving your entire OPT period for after graduation, you ensure you have the full three-year window to gain experience, pay off loans, and enter the H-1B lottery three times.

Yes, you can. For Phase 1, there is no problem. If you want to continue with that start-up in Phase 2, the start-up must fulfill all critical criteria. They must be enrolled in E-Verify. The start-up must have the structure to supervise you and provide the training promised in your Form I-983.

The government does not set a specific minimum amount you must earn for the STEM extension. However, your employer must certify on your Form I-983 that your salary is ‘commensurate’ with what they pay US workers in similar roles. This makes your employment (and salary) fair. However, the H1B Lottery is a wage-weighted selection system, meaning that you will get more points for a higher salary.