Growing from the STEM? OPT Classification and International Students in Economics

The Optional Practical Training (OPT) program now 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. We also examine effects on domestic students and find more mixed results. Our results suggest that EQE program creation on average benefits foreign students and higher education institutions.