Innovation
Graduate Students and Postdoctorates
Description: The number of graduate students enrolled in science, engineering and health disciplines in doctorate-granting institutions is one part of this indicator. The other is the number of postdoctoral appointees in science, engineering and health disciplines in doctorate-granting institutions. These figures are reported by each university.
Data from 1996 through 2005 are presented on the dashboard for each of the state’s three state universities. The sum of the three institutions also is provided.
Rationale: A central theme of the economic literature on regional economic growth is the importance of high-quality human capital in the workforce. Graduate education at the state’s universities is a source of this talent. Science and engineering specialties are of particular importance to innovation.
Data Source: National Science Foundation, Division of Science Resources Statistics, Survey of Graduate Students and Postdoctorates in Science and Engineering http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/gradpostdoc. The graduate student data are in Table 48 and the postdoctorate data are in Table 51.
Comments on the Quality of the Data: Data for prior years may be revised by the institutions. Local production of highly educated individuals does not equate to the local retention of this talented human capital.
