Report: Blockchain Activity at Top Universities Increased Since 2018

New research by major cryptocurrency trading platform Coinbase shows that 56% of the top 50 universities in the world offer one or more classes on cryptocurrency or blockchain tech.

Metrics indicate growing interest

Coinbase shared its research in an official blog post on Aug. 28 in which it used rankings from US News and World Report for its list of the top 50 universities. This included both undergraduate and graduate level offerings. 

The research found that twice as many students took blockchain or crypto courses when compared to last year and that many top universities also have a student-run clubs related to blockchain technology or cryptocurrencies. Blockchain and cryptocurrency related course offerings are up from 42% of the top 50 universities in 2018.

Selected survey results. Source: Coinbase

Types of blockchain education

Coinbase also reported that approximately 70% of the top 50 universities offered crypto and blockchain courses external to their computer science departments in areas like law, the humanities and economics. Computer Science is still the most common area, containing 32.2% of the blockchain- and crypto-related course offerings. One Cornell alumnus said:

“We’ve had so many professors reach out to to learn more about blockchain and see how it applies to their field. It’s really cool to be part of a community where there’s so much engagement.”

As previously reported by Cointelegraph, Ripple’s head of social impact Ken Weber recently said that he believes the blockchain and digital assets space needs more practical, training-focused courses from universities. He wrote:

“Currently, over 40% of the world’s top 50 universities already offer at least one class on blockchain or crypto assets. But this is tied to different disciplines such as law, engineering, mathematics and business administration. To truly close the skills gap, universities around the world must expand these programmes to offer blockchain and crypto-asset training courses that directly relate to roles in industry.”