Degrees Awarded by degree program and university, by Year.

The degrees being awarded from higher education institutions within the County are a firm indicator of the type of talent which is available to local employers, as well as represent a large sector of the local economy.

Between the years 2009 to 2019, there was a far higher number of Health Profession and Related Program degrees awarded (21,472) from 10 of the 12 degree-awarding institutions in Erie County than other degree programs, representing 32.3% of all degrees awarded in that time. The three highest degree programs in Health, Business, and Education combined account for more than half (56.8%) of all degrees awarded between 2009 to 2019. Notable increases in awards exist in the Engineering Technologies and Public Administration & Social Services programs. One notable decrease in awards exists in the Legal Professions and Studies programs.

EVS analyzes the data in each topic category using indicators, which report a targeted and digestible number, rate, or amount to represent Erie County as a whole. While this does not cover every aspect of the topic, it assists in establishing Erie's performance relative to the prior year(s). The indicators for the Education: University topic are:

This indicator measures the graduation rate of Erie County's higher education institutions for latest data year, as a percentage. The trend for Univeristy Graduates is down and worse from 2018 to 2019, with a reported increase  of -7.8% within the County, representing 522 less graduates.

This indicator measures the graduation rate of Erie County's higher education institutions for latest data year, as a percentage. STEM field graduates are more likely to enter into employment in advanced industries and supply the local businesses, these advanced industries power U.S. and local economic growth and development. The trend for STEM Degree Graduates is down and worse from 2017 to 2018, with a reported decrease  of -1.0% within the County, representing 15 fewer graduates. 

Analysis performed by Data Center on data retrieved from Lightcast, 2024.