STEM expands in both programs and admitted students

According to 2026 admissions data, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields offered 2,319 programs, an increase of 299, or 14.8%, from 2025. A total of 241,929 applicants were admitted, up 4,104, or 1.7%, across 208 higher education institutions. The median admission score for STEM programs this year was 18.50, down from 19 in 2025.

Within STEM, however, the distribution shifted among different fields. Computer science and information technology recorded fewer admitted students despite an increase in the number of programs, while engineering technology, engineering, and architecture and construction all posted gains.

Notably, construction, key engineering disciplines and basic sciences recorded significant growth among fields covered by government support policies. Basic sciences alone had 96 programs, up 37.1%, with 7,784 admitted students, an increase of 26.1% from 2025.

The shift was evident not only in enrollment numbers but also among programs with high admission scores.

In mechanical engineering and engineering mechanics, the number of students admitted to programs with cutoff scores above 25 increased from 2,997 to 3,497. At cutoff scores of 22.50 or higher, admissions rose from 6,324 to 7,208.

In electrical, electronics and telecommunications engineering, the number of students admitted to programs with cutoff scores above 25 increased from 3,900 to 3,950. At scores of 22.50 or higher, the figure rose from 6,744 to 7,278.

Chemical, materials, metallurgical and environmental engineering recorded a particularly significant change in programs with cutoff scores above 25, with admitted students rising from 313 to 1,270.

Construction, meanwhile, recorded 410 students admitted to programs with cutoff scores above 25 for the first time.

Among specialized construction and architecture programs, there were 370 programs in 2026, up 43, or 13.1%, with 32,434 admitted students, an increase of 3,280, or 11.3%.

Of these, one program had a cutoff score above 25 and admitted 410 students, while 32 programs had cutoff scores ranging from 22.50 to 25 and admitted 4,071 students. Another 250 programs had cutoff scores below 22.50, admitting 20,796 students.

The category included 163 programs that appeared for the first time in 2026, while 120 programs were no longer listed, indicating substantial restructuring.

Specialized artificial intelligence and data programs were among the fastest-growing categories.

In 2026, the category included 181 programs, an increase of 57, or 46%. Admissions reached 13,969 students, up 3,260, or 30.4%, across 95 higher education institutions.

Sixteen programs had cutoff scores above 25, admitting 2,268 students; 12 programs had cutoff scores between 22.50 and 25, admitting 1,108 students; and 90 programs had cutoff scores below 22.50, with 5,495 admitted students.

Notably, 102 programs appeared for the first time in the 2026 list, while 45 resulted from the restructuring of existing academic programs.

Other strategic fields also expanded.

Specialized marine and maritime programs totaled 44, up 18.9%, with 5,153 admitted students, an increase of 16.1%.

Railway-related programs totaled 29, up 26.1%, while the number of admitted students surged 93.4% from 2025 to 2,940.

Teacher education surges while law admissions fall

Beyond STEM, several other fields also recorded significant changes.

Teacher education had 513 programs, up 8%, with 44,623 admitted students, an increase of 5,688, or 14.6%. The median admission score was 24.79, down from 25.90 in 2025.

Medicine, pharmacy and health sciences had 338 programs, up 4.6%, although admissions edged down 0.4% to 43,991 students. The median cutoff score increased from 19.50 to 20.

Law had 212 programs, up 6.5%, but the number of admitted students dropped sharply from 32,078 to 24,483, a decline of 23.7%. Its median cutoff score remained at 20.

Management and economics remained one of the largest categories, with 1,294 programs, up 13.6%, and 166,629 admitted students, an increase of 1.6%. The median cutoff score declined from 18.54 to 18.

Tourism, services and transportation had 384 programs, up 12.6%, while admissions fell 3.4% to 47,482 students. The median cutoff score dropped from 18.88 to 17.77.

According to the data, military and security fields had 27 programs, up 8%, with 6,153 admitted students, an increase of 8.9%. The median cutoff score rose from 21.75 to 22.89.

Agriculture, forestry and fisheries had 170 programs, up 3%, with 10,475 admitted students, an increase of 2.5%. The median cutoff score remained at 15, with no programs recording cutoff scores above 25.

The remaining fields comprised 1,365 programs, up 15.6%, with 158,912 admitted students, an increase of 0.7%. Their median cutoff score declined from 19.33 to 18.50.

Across the 15 groups of fields covered by government policies, there were 1,385 programs in 2026, up 21.3%, while the number of admitted students edged down 0.8% to 128,688. Basic sciences, however, recorded increases in both the number of programs and admitted students.

Le Huyen