- Even though women are as likely as men to take high-level science and math courses as men, they obtain STEM degrees at a much lower rates. This suggests that university course-taking is a likely drop-off point off STEM pathways for women with high-level course-taking in high school.
- Black and Hispanic students complete lower level high school courses, but Black and Hispanic students who did take high-level courses are as likely as White students to pursue STEM degrees.
- Students in free lunch programs are significantly less likely than students who are not in free lunch programs to take high level courses.
- Hispanic students who completed high level science courses in high school are significantly more likely than White students who completed Physics in high school to obtain a STEM baccalaureate degree.
- African American students with higher level coursework preparation who persevere in pursuing the pathway toward obtaining a baccalaureate degree are just as likely to obtain STEM degrees as their White peers who also complete baccalaureate degrees.
- Asian students remain more likely to obtain STEM baccalaureate degrees even when only accounting for students in the highest high school science categories.
- Student free lunch status in high school shows no significant effect on obtaining a STEM baccalaureate.
- Enrollment and attainment in physics and calculus is particularly important for all students with respect to obtaining a STEM degree down the road.
- Findings suggest that gender disparities in STEM occur because women are less likely to pursue STEM, but racial disparities occur because fewer Black and Hispanic students are prepared for STEM in high school.