Summary
- • Only 2% of Americans hold a doctoral degree
- • The median age for doctorate recipients is 31.6 years
- • Women earned 53.6% of doctoral degrees awarded in 2020
- • Black students earned 7.1% of doctoral degrees in 2020
- • Hispanic students earned 8.4% of doctoral degrees in 2020
- • The average time to complete a PhD is 5.8 years
- • The longest average time to degree is in humanities at 7.1 years
- • The shortest average time to degree is in physical sciences at 5.2 years
- • 44% of doctoral students do not complete their degree within 10 years
- • The average age at which people earn their first doctorate is 33
- • In 2020, 55,283 doctoral degrees were awarded in the United States
- • The field with the most doctoral degrees awarded is health professions at 20.5%
- • Engineering accounts for 16.7% of all doctoral degrees awarded
- • Education doctoral degrees make up 9.4% of all doctorates awarded
- • Biological and biomedical sciences account for 12.3% of doctoral degrees
Hold onto your mortarboards, folks, because were diving deep into the fascinating world of doctorate statistics! Did you know that only 2% of Americans hold a doctoral degree, yet the average salary for these brainy individuals is a whopping $98,800 per year? From the median age of doctorate recipients to the longest and shortest average completion times across different fields, and even insights into international trends, theres a treasure trove of data waiting to be explored. Get ready to be both educated and entertained as we unpack the numbers behind the doctorate journey – because as they say, statistics never lie, but they sure can surprise!
Career and Employment
- The average salary for a person with a doctorate is $98,800 per year
- The unemployment rate for doctorate holders is 1.5%
- 55.9% of PhD recipients have job commitments at graduation
- 27.8% of PhD recipients plan postdoctoral study after graduation
- Academia employs 47.8% of doctorate recipients
- The average starting salary for PhD holders is $80,000
- 44% of doctoral recipients plan to work in industry or business
- 17% of doctoral recipients plan to work for the government
- The field with the highest median salary for PhD holders is computer and information sciences at $122,000
Interpretation
With an average salary of $98,800 a year and an unemployment rate of just 1.5%, it seems having a doctorate is not just an intellectual achievement, but also a lucrative career move. More than half of PhD recipients have job commitments upon graduation, and almost a third are keen on pursuing further studies. While academia remains a significant employer, 44% of doctoral recipients are looking to make their mark in the business world. The field with the highest median salary is computer and information sciences, proving that in today's digital age, knowledge truly is power - and profit.
Degree Conferral
- In 2020, 55,283 doctoral degrees were awarded in the United States
- The field with the most doctoral degrees awarded is health professions at 20.5%
- Engineering accounts for 16.7% of all doctoral degrees awarded
- Education doctoral degrees make up 9.4% of all doctorates awarded
- Biological and biomedical sciences account for 12.3% of doctoral degrees
- Life sciences account for 23% of all doctoral degrees awarded
- Physical sciences and earth sciences make up 15% of doctoral degrees
- Psychology and social sciences account for 17% of doctoral degrees
Interpretation
In 2020, the United States saw an impressive 55,283 individuals donning the prestigious doctoral cap, each carving their niche in various fields. It seems the thirst for knowledge in the health professions took the lead at 20.5%, proving that 'an apple a day' might just be replaced by a dissertation. While engineers at 16.7% strive to build bridges both literally and figuratively, educators at 9.4% are busy constructing minds. And let's not forget the biologists unraveling life’s mysteries at 12.3%. With life sciences leading the pack at 23%, and physical and earth sciences digging deep at 15%, it's clear that these doctoral recipients aren't just stargazing, they’re shaping the world we live in. Meanwhile, psychologists and social scientists at 17% are diving into the most complex system of all – the human mind and society. Here’s to the diverse brigade of thinkers, the knights of research, the wizards of wisdom – may their contributions continue to propel us forward into a brighter, more enlightened future.
Demographics
- Only 2% of Americans hold a doctoral degree
- The median age for doctorate recipients is 31.6 years
- Women earned 53.6% of doctoral degrees awarded in 2020
- Black students earned 7.1% of doctoral degrees in 2020
- Hispanic students earned 8.4% of doctoral degrees in 2020
- 31% of doctoral degrees in the US are awarded to international students
- The median age for doctorate recipients in education is 38.1 years
- 57% of doctoral students are enrolled full-time
- The average age of doctoral students in STEM fields is 29.5 years
- 18% of doctoral recipients come from families where neither parent has a bachelor's degree
- 36% of doctoral students are married
- 12% of doctoral students have dependent children
- The field with the highest proportion of international students is engineering at 59%
- The average GPA of admitted doctoral students is 3.6
- The average GRE score for admitted doctoral students is 310
- 22% of doctoral students work full-time while pursuing their degree
- The average age of doctoral recipients in humanities is 34.2 years
- 51% of doctoral recipients are women in life sciences
- Only 27% of doctoral recipients in engineering are women
- The average doctoral program acceptance rate is 12.8%
Interpretation
In a world where knowledge is power, these statistics paint a complex portrait of the academic elite. With only 2% of Americans holding a doctoral degree, it seems the pursuit of expertise is a road less traveled. Women are making strides, earning over half of the doctoral degrees awarded in 2020, yet there is still work to be done with gender imbalances in certain fields like engineering. The diversity landscape also brings challenges, with Black and Hispanic students earning a fraction of the doctoral degrees. International students play a significant role, receiving nearly a third of all doctoral degrees in the US. Amidst these numbers dance tales of ambition and perseverance - from the average GPA of admitted students to the juggle of marriage and family life while pursuing the highest form of academic achievement. The world of doctorates is a complex ecosystem where passion and dedication collide with societal barriers and systemic inequalities, reflecting a mosaic of talents and aspirations.
Finances and Funding
- The average cost of a doctoral degree is $98,800
- 72% of doctoral students receive some form of financial aid
- The average doctoral student debt is $108,400
- 45% of PhD students are funded through research assistantships
- 24% of PhD students are funded through teaching assistantships
- 42% of PhD recipients have no debt related to their graduate education
- The average stipend for PhD students is $30,000 per year
- 25% of doctoral students receive fellowships or grants
- The average cost of a PhD program at a public university is $28,000 per year
Interpretation
In the grand academic journey towards a doctoral degree, the numbers paint a fascinating mosaic of triumphs and trials. From the jaw-dropping price tag of $98,800 dangling over one's head like a tantalizing carrot, to the heartening fact that 72% of ambitious scholars receive financial aid to navigate the financial minefield. Yet, the looming specter of an average debt of $108,400 would make any student break out in a cold sweat, despite the relief brought by research (45%) and teaching (24%) assistantships. Strikingly, almost half of PhD recipients emerge unscathed, carrying no educational debt on their scholarly shoulders. That coveted annual stipend of $30,000 may offer a glimmer of hope in the tumultuous sea of academia, especially when 25% receive fellowships or grants as life rafts. Ah, the cost of knowledge in public university realms stands at $28,000 per year, a price for enlightenment some may deem a bargain in the grand scheme of intellectual pursuits.
Global Comparison
- The United States produces the most doctoral graduates worldwide at 67,449 in 2019
- Germany ranks second in doctoral graduates with 28,690 in 2019
- The UK awarded 25,552 doctoral degrees in 2019
- Japan conferred 15,978 doctoral degrees in 2019
- France awarded 14,079 doctoral degrees in 2019
- China awarded 60,995 doctoral degrees in 2019
- Canada conferred 7,989 doctoral degrees in 2019
- Australia awarded 10,496 doctoral degrees in 2019
Interpretation
In the cutthroat world of doctoral production, the United States reigns supreme as the ivory tower powerhouse, churning out an impressive 67,449 PhDs in 2019. Germany follows closely behind, proving that precision and efficiency extend beyond engineering to academia with 28,690 doctoral graduates. The UK, Japan, and France showcase their intellectual prowess with respectable numbers, while China flexes its academic muscle by awarding a staggering 60,995 doctorates. Canada and Australia hold their own in the global academic arena, proving that even in the land of maple syrup and kangaroos, brains are not in short supply. It seems the world is engaged in a high-stakes battle of wits, where the ultimate prize is not just a doctoral degree, but the coveted title of intellectual powerhouse.
Time and Duration
- The average time to complete a PhD is 5.8 years
- The longest average time to degree is in humanities at 7.1 years
- The shortest average time to degree is in physical sciences at 5.2 years
- 44% of doctoral students do not complete their degree within 10 years
- The average age at which people earn their first doctorate is 33
- The average completion rate for doctoral programs is 56%
- The average time to complete a doctorate in education is 6.3 years
- The median time to degree for engineering doctorates is 5.3 years
- The median time to degree for humanities doctorates is 7.1 years
Interpretation
In the world of academia, the quest for a PhD is akin to a marathon rather than a sprint. With an average completion time of 5.8 years, doctoral students navigate a journey filled with twists and turns. Humanities students may find themselves meandering through the academic landscape for an average of 7.1 years before reaching their scholarly destination, while their counterparts in physical sciences may arrive slightly faster at 5.2 years. However, a significant 44% of doctoral candidates face a detour, unable to cross the finish line within a decade. Despite these challenges, the enduring spirit of academia shines through, with the average age of first-time PhD recipients standing at 33. As we celebrate the achievement of the 56% who successfully complete their programs, it's evident that the pursuit of knowledge is a test of both intellect and resilience, yielding varied results across different fields, from the swift pace of engineering doctorates to the leisurely stroll of humanities scholars.