May 2023 - A Descriptive Report on Women, Underrepresented Minorities, and First Generation Students in STEM at CSU Chico

A Descriptive Report on Women, Underrepresented Minorities, and First Generation Students in STEM at CSU Chico

By Zoe Kunhart

The population of students entering a STEM major are becoming more diverse. This would raise the question of how well these traditionally disadvantaged populations are succeeding. 

In this By the Numbers report, we explore:

Is there a gender that excels in academics?

Do STEM majors do better than non-STEM majors in school?

What has been the relationship between student success and being a URM, First Generation Student, or both?

Abstract

This report which is based on Class Enrollment data at California State University Chico examines DFW rates as well as Grade Points Per Unit Earned to look at the success of students who are categorized as Female, Underrepresented Minority, First Generation, or STEM majors. It was found that women do tend to excel over men as a generality across the entire population of students, with women receiving less DFW grades, and more Grade Points Per Unit Earned. This gap was constant and durable over time, as well as throughout colleges and departments, and throughout STEM and non-STEM majors. Women continued to excel even within departments that were male dominated. There was also a gap between students who were categorized URM, First Gen, or both and students who were not. Students who were not categorized as URM, First Gen, or both are receiving lower DFW rates, and higher Grade Points Per Unit Earned. Findings within this report may lead us to believe that being categorized as a URM student may have a larger correlation with student achievement than being a First Generation Student. STEM majors are receiving higher DFW rates and lower Grade Points Per Unit Earned than students who are not STEM majors. Further research would be needed to clarify if the results of this report can be attributed to gender, URM status, First Gen classification, or STEM Flag.

Read a short report (PDF) (PDF) that further explores these trends, and how student demographics interact with student success in STEM majors.