# Collaborative Research: The Student Debt Crisis, STEM Education, and Post-Graduation Outcomes: Evidence from a Multi-Modal Study

> **NSF 04002526DB NSF STEM Education** · OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY, THE (OH) · $1,336,024

## Abstract

The Ohio State University and Texas Tech University are collaborating on an EDU Core Research project to identify factors that affect participation in STEM education and the workforce. This project will specifically address access to STEM education and the workforce by examining student debt and its effects on participation in STEM majors. Students who major in STEM fields frequently earn more than their non-STEM counterparts, and STEM is critical for the economy and for addressing today's needs and opportunities. However, the up-front costs of college and the challenges of STEM curricula can be formidable, often leading students to make choices that may lead to increased debt loads. This project undertakes quantitative and qualitative analyses of how student debt and STEM majoring affect each other and jointly shape educational, graduation, and post-graduation outcomes, including decisions to continue in a STEM major, time to graduation, income, debt, and financial burdens.

This project addresses causality concerns by testing two key hypotheses. The first hypothesis suggests that college costs and resulting educational debt have become important drivers of student decisions. The second hypothesis proposes that student debt is an important determinant of student behavior, including major choice, major switching, and degree completion. The project's quantitative analysis is using unique, population-level administrative data from the State of Ohio to conduct causal analyse

## Key facts

- **NSF award ID:** 2500735
- **Awardee organization:** OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY, THE (OH)
- **SAM.gov UEI:** DLWBSLWAJWR1
- **PI:** Meta Brown
- **Primary program:** 04002526DB NSF STEM Education
- **All programs:** Workforce Development
- **Estimated total:** $1,336,024
- **Funds obligated:** $1,336,024
- **Transaction type:** Standard Grant
- **Period:** 09/01/2025 → 08/31/2029

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2500735

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2500735, Collaborative Research: The Student Debt Crisis, STEM Education, and Post-Graduation Outcomes: Evidence from a Multi-Modal Study. Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-07 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2500735. Licensed CC0.

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