According to a recent study, Stanford University boasts the highest number of cryptocurrency classes among top global universities.
A recent study carried out by Coinbase, in conjunction with the research firm Qriously, shows that Stanford University boasts the most crypto related courses among the world’s premier academic institutions.
The study illustrates the proliferation of crypto-related classes across higher education. Also of note is the wide spectrum of disciplines within which crypto is studied, from the sciences to the humanities:
Just over 40% of the world’s top 50 universities offer at least one class on blockchain or crypto assets, according to the study, which focused on undergraduate-level courses planned for fall 2018 (or the most recent data available). Classes were offered by computer science professors, as well as by anthropology and finance departments.
The chart below details the spread of crypto class across the disciplines:
Cryptocurrency-related university courses are on the rise not only due to sheer interest but also due to the labor market’s demand for crypto-savvy thinkers. Coinbase Blog notes that in order to feed this demand:
Universities, in turn, are forming research centers and adding more crypto-related courses, in part to meet rising demand and also because they now see cryptocurrency as an area worthy of serious academic study.
Stanford is certainly no exception to this rule. Geographically and historically situated in the lap of Silicon Valley, it is no surprise this tech mecca tops the study. Stanford is ranked 5th in the country, according to U.S. News and World Report.
There seems to be a growing response to this demand within the university itself. Electrical engineering and computer science professor Dan Boneh highlighted the way blockchain-related projects in academia tend to highlight previously unseen issues:
There are new technical questions being raised by blockchain projects that we would not work on otherwise.
While Stanford leads the pack, Cornell University in Ithaca, New York is a close second. If one widens the criteria of the study, a different image emerges:
Cornell offers the highest number of classes when including cryptography, cryptocurrency, or blockchain. The 28 courses include “Anthropology of Money” and “Introduction to Blockchains, Cryptocurrencies, and Smart Contracts,” which covers the cryptocurrency bitcoin and “the technological landscape it has inspired and catalyzed,” according to the course description.
Among U.S. college students, Coinbase reports that 9% of students have enrolled in a cryptocurrency course, 18% personally own cryptocurrency, and 26% are curious about taking a class on crypto. Recently, Bitcoinist reported on the growing number of college students who own crypto.
Other California-based Schools like UC Berkeley and UCLA made Coinbase’s top-ten list, which can be viewed here:
What are your thoughts on Stanford University, crypto classes, and cryptocurrency in the academic world? Let us know in the comments below!
Images courtesy of Coinbase Blog, Shutterstock.