GITNUX MARKETDATA REPORT 2024

Doctorate Completion Timeframe Statistics

The average time it takes to complete a doctorate degree is around 5-7 years.

Last Updated: June 20, 2024

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In this post, we will explore the diverse landscape of doctoral completion timeframes across various fields of study. From humanities to public administration, physical and life sciences to social sciences, we’ll delve into the statistics that shed light on the average time taken by doctoral students to complete their degrees. Stay tuned to uncover the patterns and challenges surrounding doctoral degree completion.

Statistic 1

"In the humanities, the average time to complete a Ph.D. is closer to 9 years."

Statistic 2

"It takes an average of 7.7 years to complete a doctoral degree in public administration."

Statistic 3

"Doctoral students in the physical and life sciences typically complete their studies fastest, around 4 years."

Statistic 4

"About 56% of doctoral students finish their degree within 10 years."

Statistic 5

"Minority students took an average of 7.7 years to complete their doctoral degrees."

Statistic 6

"Female doctoral students tend to take longer to complete their degrees than male students by approximately 0.3 years."

Statistic 7

"Around 50% of those who start a doctoral degree program do not complete it."

Statistic 8

"Nearly 37% of Ph.D. students do not complete their degree within 8 years."

Statistic 9

"The median time to doctoral degree for all fields is about 7.6 years."

Statistic 10

"Around a quarter of Doctorate graduates in the US take more than a decade to complete their PhDs."

Statistic 11

"The average time to completion for doctoral students who start as part-time students is approximately 9 years."

Statistic 12

"In engineering, 41% of students completed their PhD within six years."

Statistic 13

"The median time to completion of a doctorate in humanities is 7.1 years."

Statistic 14

"More than 40% of people who start a doctoral degree program drop out."

Statistic 15

"In the social sciences, the median time to complete a doctorate is 7.7 years."

Statistic 16

"On average, 64% of full-time doctoral students complete their degrees."

The completion timeframe for doctoral degrees varies significantly across different fields of study, with humanities and public administration programs typically taking longer, around 9 years and 7.7 years on average, respectively. In contrast, physical and life sciences doctoral students complete their studies fastest, within approximately 4 years. Factors such as gender and minority status also play a role, with female students taking slightly longer than male students and minority students averaging 7.7 years to complete their degrees. Overall, a substantial percentage of doctoral students do not finish their programs, with around 50% dropping out and nearly 37% not completing their degrees within 8 years. While the median time to completion across all fields is approximately 7.6 years, a significant portion of graduates, including more than 40% in some fields, take more than a decade to earn their PhDs.