Percentage of Pell students in engineering

Contribution: This study provides the first comprehensive dataset on the socioeconomic diversity of U.S. engineering and computer science programs, offering benchmarks and insights for institutions seeking to increase low-income student enrollment.Background: While many institutions focus on increasing gender and racial diversity in STEM fields, socioeconomic diversity remains understudied, in spite of the high potential for economic mobility inherent in engineering and computer science degrees. This study aims to fill that gap by examining Pell-eligibility rates within engineering programs across various U.S. institutions, offering insights into institutional characteristics that support or hinder the inclusion of low-income students in these high-opportunity fields.Research Questions: How do Pell-eligibility rates in engineering compare to non-engineering programs? How do Pell-eligible rates vary by institutional type, size, and region?Methodology: Data on Pell-eligible students were collected from 139 U.S. institutions with at least 200 undergraduate engineering students. Statistical analyses included correlation, t-tests, Wilcoxon tests, linear regression, and Kruskal-Wallis tests.Findings: Engineering programs have lower Pell-eligibility rates than non-engineering programs, with an average gap of 2.9 percentage points. Public institutions and schools in the West region had higher Pell-eligibility rates, providing valuable insights for diversity initiatives.