"The study said deteriorating opportunities and comparative wages for young science and engineering graduates has discouraged US students from entering these fields, but not those born in other countries. "
The only thing discouraging US students from entering these fields is that it is hard, and most students don't want to have to work hard. Also some are simply not prepared out of high school to take on a rigorous course of study.
Engineering graduates are still among the highest paid graduates......It's the poly-sci and sociology graduates that have the rude awakening after they graduate.
The poly-sci's get their rude awakenings when they graduate, the engineers when they turn 40
An engineer needs to spend his 30's preparing to start his own business
This is not true. I know some high school students who love technology and are bright but are afraid of going into debt, wasting four years and not having the good career prospects. They are going to study safer fields (which they do not like).