U.S. higher education: doctoral degrees by field of research 2021 | Statista (2024)

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Jun 2, 2023

In the academic year of 2020/2021 in the United States, 85,581 doctoral degrees were earned in health professions and related programs - the most out of any field of study. A further 35,976 doctoral degrees were earned in legal professions and studies.

Number of doctoral degrees earned in the United States in 2020/21, by field of research

CharacteristicNumber of degrees
Health professions and related programs 85,581
Legal professions and studies 35,976
Education 13,655
Engineering 10,890
Biological and biomedical sciences 7,486
Psychology6,363
Physical sciences and science technologies 5,709
Agriculture and natural resources 4,869
Social sciences and history 4,160
Business 3,711
Computer and information sciences 2,572
Theology and religious vocations 2,100
Mathematics and statistics 1,958
Visual and performing arts 1,668
Public administration and social services1,435
English language and literature/letters 1,079
Multi/interdisciplinary studies 1,055
Foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics 985
Philosophy and religious studies 627
Communication, journalism, and related programs 532
Parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies 326
Area, ethnic, cultural, gender, and group studies 268
Architecture and related services 255
Homeland security, law enforcement, and firefighting 239
Family and consumer sciences/human sciences 233
Engineering technologies and engineering-related fields205
Liberal arts and sciences, general studies,and humanities 90
Transportation and materials moving 20
Library science 12

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U.S. higher education: doctoral degrees by field of research 2021 | Statista (2024)

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U.S. higher education: doctoral degrees by field of research 2021 | Statista? ›

Most of the highest-paying doctoral degrees are in engineering and computer science fields. However, doctoral degrees in economics, nursing, and medical-related fields also make the list. Information science is the fastest-growing field for folks with doctoral degrees, with the BLS projecting 23% growth from 2022-2032.

Which PhD is most in demand in USA? ›

Most of the highest-paying doctoral degrees are in engineering and computer science fields. However, doctoral degrees in economics, nursing, and medical-related fields also make the list. Information science is the fastest-growing field for folks with doctoral degrees, with the BLS projecting 23% growth from 2022-2032.

What field has the most PhDs? ›

The top 4 fields of research for doctoral degrees account for more than two-thirds of the total doctoral degrees awarded in 2020-2021, which are listed below: Health professions and related programs: 85,581 degrees. Legal professions and studies: 35,976 degrees. Education: 13,655 degrees.

How many doctoral degrees are awarded in the US? ›

The number of research doctorates awarded by U.S. colleges and universities has reached an all-time high. According to the latest Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED), 57,596 research doctoral degrees were conferred in academic year 2022, the most recent year for which relatively complete data are available.

What percentage of people have a doctorate in the US? ›

United States

About 2% of the U.S. population holds a Ph. D. Men are more likely than women to have a Ph. D.

Which PhD is most in demand? ›

Shri Kallaji Vedic Vishvavidyalaya
  • Computer Science (Avg. ...
  • Chemical Engineering (Avg. ...
  • Management Information Systems (Avg. Salary: ₹10-12 LPA): ...
  • Finance (Avg. Salary: ₹10-12 LPA): ...
  • Statistics (Avg. Salary: ₹9-11 LPA): ...
  • Economics (Avg. Salary: ₹9-11 LPA): ...
  • Marketing (Avg. Salary: ₹8-10 LPA): ...
  • Physics (Avg. Salary: ₹8-10 LPA):
Mar 5, 2024

Which PhD is most respected? ›

The most respected PhD degrees in the academic world are generally in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields, such as physics, chemistry, mathematics, computer science, and engineering. Other highly respected PhD degrees include economics, psychology, and medicine.

Who has 7 Phds? ›

Bruce Banner is a renowned scientist, physicist, and medical doctor with seven Ph. D.s.

What is the hardest doctorate degree to get? ›

Some of the most difficult PhD programs include those in the fields of mathematics, physics, and engineering. These programs require a high level of mathematical and analytical skills, as well as a strong ability to think abstractly and creatively.

What is the average salary of a PhD holder in the US? ›

As of May 9, 2024, the average hourly pay for a Doctorate in the United States is $67.84 an hour. While ZipRecruiter is seeing hourly wages as high as $191.35 and as low as $19.47, the majority of Doctorate wages currently range between $38.70 (25th percentile) to $82.21 (75th percentile) across the United States.

Does anyone have 3 PhDs? ›

People get a second or a third PhD (a third is extremely uncommon) if they are upgrading their research skill-set. Sometimes people upgrade with an additional PhD within their previous area of research. The PhD they have is from another geographic location that is unrecognized in another geographic location.

What percentage of people finish their doctorate? ›

The Council of Graduate Schools produced a study on the PhD completion and attrition. The study looked at 49,000 students attending 30 institutions in 54 disciplines comprising 330 programs. Astonishingly, the completion rate ten years after students begin their doctoral program remains low at 56.6%.

Is there a degree beyond a doctorate? ›

Doctorate degrees are the highest level of education you can achieve in many countries. However, there are some countries that have qualifications considered higher than a PhD such as professional degrees, habilitation degrees, doctor of science and doctor of technology.

What is the US PhD failure rate? ›

The overall PhD completion rate is around 50-60% on average. A study by the Council of Graduate Schools found the 10-year completion rate was 56%, meaning 43.4% of students do not complete their PhD program.

How rare is a doctorate degree? ›

Less than 2% of the world's population has a doctorate. According to the US Census Bureau, only 1.2% of the US population has a PhD. This makes having a PhD very rare.

What's the difference between doctorate and PhD? ›

One of the main differences is that a PhD is typically an academic degree, while a doctorate can be either academic or professional. Additionally, a PhD is highly theoretical and research-focused, while a professional doctorate is practical and geared toward applying research to specific professional settings.

Which PhD has the highest salary? ›

Top 10 Highest-paying Ph. D. Degrees
  • Ph. D. in Civil Engineering: ...
  • Ph. D. in Computer Science and Engineering: ...
  • Ph. D. in Electrical Engineering: ...
  • Ph. D. in Electronics and Communication Engineering: ...
  • Ph. D. in Mechanical Engineering: ...
  • Ph. D. in History and Archaeology: A Ph. ...
  • Ph. D. in Mathematics: A Ph. ...
  • Ph. D. in Economics:
Oct 31, 2023

Is it easy to get a job after PhD in USA? ›

The job future for certain PhDs are good and for others not so good. In other words, if you were excellent or great before you took the PhD you will be great and likely to get a job after the PhD. In my opinion, a PhD won't guarantee you a job if your personal communication skills and habits make you unemployable.

What is the highest paying PhD fellowship? ›

Stanford: At Stanford University, PhD students are at the top, with a whopping $45,850 stipend, the highest PhD stipend, making it a dream for many. This hefty sum covers not just tuition but also living expenses, a critical factor in places with a high cost of living.

What is the salary of a PhD holder in the US? ›

$80,500 is the 25th percentile. Salaries below this are outliers. $171,000 is the 75th percentile.

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