Changes in interests and funding from governmental, private and foundation sources
On February 24, 2022, the U.S. Census Bureau released a table package, Educational Attainment in the United States: 2021, containing statistics on educational attainment by adults 25 years of age and older for the period 2011 to 2021. These statistics cover a range of demographic and social characteristics, including age, sex, and race.
Numerous studies have correlated educational attainment with wealth attainment. Earning at least a bachelor's degree is associated with better economic outcomes, including higher wages and lower rates of unemployment. However, a study by Pew Research Center revealed an economic disparity between first generation college graduates versus those who had at least one college-educated parent.
The National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics released a report, Higher Education R&D Increase of 3.3% in FY 2020 is the Lowest since FY 2015. From FY 2019 to FY 2020, research and development spending by academic institutions experienced the slowest growth since the four years of decreasing federal funding from FY 2012 to FY 2015.