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Data Highlights
Explore survey dataDoctorates awarded by U.S. colleges and universities: 1958–2024
The number of research doctoral degrees awarded by U.S. institutions increased from 57,806 in 2023 to 58,131 in 2024, similar to the increase between 2022 and 2023.
Doctorates awarded in S&E and non-S&E fields, by citizenship status: 2004–24
Of the 43,942 S&E doctorate recipients who reported their citizenship, U.S. citizens and permanent residents earned 62% of the S&E doctorates; temporary visa holders earned 38%.
Doctorates awarded, by sex and citizenship: 2004–24
In 2024, women earned 48% of all doctorates from U.S. institutions and men 52%. Among U.S. citizens and permanent residents, women earned 54% and men 46% of all U.S. doctorates.
Doctorates awarded, by sex and field: 2004–24
In the past 20 years, all of the growth in the number of doctorates earned by both men and women has been in S&E fields.
Doctorate recipients on temporary visas, by trend broad field: 2004 and 2024
In 2024, temporary visa holders earned the majority of doctorates in computer and information sciences (61%), engineering (54%), and mathematics and statistics (51%).
Definite commitments among doctorate recipients, by S&E trend broad field: 2004–24
Between 2023 and 2024, the proportion of doctorate recipients with definite commitments declined in all S&E broad fields.
Data Tables
These tables present detailed data on the demographic characteristics, educational history, sources of financial support, and postgraduation plans of doctorate recipients from the Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED).
Survey Description
The Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED) collects data on the number and characteristics of individuals receiving research doctoral degrees from U.S. academic institutions.
Technical Notes
Data presented in Doctorate Recipients from U.S. Universities: 2024 were collected by the Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED).