In 2005–06, degrees in the field of business made up 21 percent of the bachelor’s degrees awarded. Over 318,000 bachelor’s degrees were awarded in business that year.

In each year shown (1990–91, 1995–96, and 2005–06), three broad areas of study—liberal arts and sciences, general studies, and humanities; health professions; and business—made up 65 to 69 percent of associate’s degrees awarded (see table 39-1). In 2005–06, nearly 245,000 degrees were awarded in the first area, and over 114,000 degrees were awarded in each of the other two areas. Other prevalent degrees at this level in 2005–06 included engineering (32,600 degrees) and computer and information sciences (31,200 degrees).

Overall, 158,000 more associate’s degrees were awarded in 2005–06 than in 1995–96 (a 28 percent increase). Increases in the number of associate’s degrees awarded in the three major areas of study above and in computer and information sciences contributed to 85 percent of this overall growth. The number of degrees awarded in computer and information sciences has increased by 150 percent since 1995–96. Fields including visual and performing arts had a smaller impact on the overall growth but had notable increases during this period (61 percent increase for a total of 21,800 degrees in 2005–06). Also, during this period, the number of associate’s degrees awarded in engineering decreased by 23 percent.

In each year shown, between 63 and 66 percent of bachelor’s degrees were awarded in seven fields: business; social sciences and history; education; health professions; psychology; visual and performing arts; and engineering (see table 39-2). In 2005–06, some 318,000 degrees were awarded in business, 161,000 were awarded in social sciences and history, 107,000 were awarded in health professions, and between 81,600 and 92,000 degrees were awarded in each of the other four fields.

Overall, 320,000 more bachelor’s degrees were awarded in 2005–06 than in 1995–96 (a 28 percent increase). Increases in the number of bachelor’s degrees awarded in business; social sciences and history; visual and performing arts; communication, journalism, and related programs; and computer and information sciences made up 66 percent of this overall growth. Fields including parks, recreation, leisure and fitness studies had a smaller impact on the overall growth in bachelor’s degrees awarded but had notable increases during this period (96 percent increase for a total of 25,500 degrees in 2005–06).