GoKawiilNova Learning survey shows student interest shifting from CS/AI to Engineering
A survey by academic mentoring platform Nova Learning found that the share of middle and high school students naming Computer Science and AI as their top academic interest dropped from 42.3% in 2025 to 27.9% in 2026, while Engineering's share nearly doubled, rising from 11.9% to 23%, led largely by Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. Separately, the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center reported an 8.1% drop in undergraduate Computer and Information Science enrollment at four-year institutions, to about 606,000 students, even as Engineering enrollment grew.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The timing coincides with the rapid adoption of AI coding tools, and Slashdot's BrianFagioli suggests students may be reconsidering entry-level software careers as automation changes what programming work looks like, though no causal link to AI has been established. If the trend continues, it could reshape how universities and employers plan for future technical talent, shifting emphasis toward hands-on engineering fields over traditional coding pathways.
- Nova Learning survey: CS/AI interest fell from 42.3% to 27.9% between 2025 and 2026 among surveyed students.
- Engineering's share nearly doubled, from 11.9% to 23%, driven mainly by Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.
- National data shows an 8.1% decline in four-year CS enrollment, though AI's role as a cause remains unproven.
LEGO Technic Mechanical Engineering Set — With students pivoting toward Engineering, especially mechanical and aerospace fields, a hands-on building set is a great way to nurture that curiosity early. It's a fun, tactile way to explore mechanics and design principles outside the classroom, perfect for a student rethinking their STEM path.”}
See LEGO Technic Mechanical Engineering Set on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: news.slashdot.org — Posted, 2026-09-22
Published there as: “Are Students Suddenly Losing Interest in Computer Science as AI Coding Takes Off?”
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