PofoliaShared via Pofolia

The Journal of Economic Education· 2026Q2

Growing from the STEM? OPT classification and international students in economics

Shengrong Hu, John V. Winters

Short summary

Adding Econometrics and Quantitative Economics (EQE) to the STEM OPT list in 2012 led to a significant increase in international economics bachelor's degrees, particularly at public institutions.

AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.

Key points

  • EQE was added to the STEM OPT list in 2012, leading to an increase in EQE programs and degrees.
  • International economics bachelor's degrees conferred to international students increased following the STEM OPT expansion.
  • The positive effects on international economics degrees were larger at public colleges and universities compared to private ones.
  • The creation of EQE programs generally benefits foreign students and higher education institutions.

AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.

Abstract

The Optional Practical Training (OPT) program provides up to 36 months of employment authorization for foreign students completing college degrees in the U.S. in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. Econometrics and Quantitative Economics (EQE) was added as a STEM field in 2012, triggering an explosion of EQE programs and degrees conferred, but some of this growth involved displacement from other economics programs. We document the growth of EQE and examine effects of OPT and EQE program creation on overall economics bachelor’s degrees conferred to international students. We find positive effects on international economics degrees with effects that appear larger at public colleges and universities than private ones. Our results suggest that EQE program creation on average benefits foreign students and higher education institutions.

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. The Journal of Economic Education, 2026 · DOI ↗

TakeawaysPremium
Ask the paperFree account

Continue with a free account

Ask the paper: 3 free questions a day about this paper; save it, get its citation, new summaries every day for your field. Takeaways are Premium.

Continue free on the web

Sign in with Google or Apple; no card needed. You come back to this paper.

On your phone:

Get it on Google Play Download on the App Store

Field: Communication

CommunicationSocial Sciences