Data Highlights
Explore survey dataDoctorates awarded by U.S. colleges and universities: 1958–2023
S&E doctorate awards have always exceeded awards in non-S&E fields, and this gap has widened over time. In 2023, 79% of all doctorates awards were in S&E.
Doctorates awarded in S&E and non-S&E fields, by citizenship status: 2003–23
Between 2022 and 2023, the number of S&E doctorates awarded to temporary visa holders declined while the number of S&E doctorates awarded to U.S. citizens and permanent residents increased.
Doctorates awarded, by sex and citizenship: 2003–23
From 2022 to 2023, the number of doctorates earned increased only for female U.S. citizens and permanent residents. All other groups declined slightly.
Doctorates awarded, by sex and field: 2003–23
In the past 20 years, there has been an increase in the number of doctorates for both men and women in the S&E fields.
Doctorates earned by U.S. citizen and permanent resident racial or ethnic groups underrepresented in S&E, by field: 2003–23
The number and share of doctorates awarded to both Hispanic and Black U.S. citizens and permanent residents has increased over the past 20 years.
COVID-19 pandemic impacts among doctorate recipients: 2021–23
In 2023, 70% of doctorate recipients reported that the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted their research.
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: 2023 were collected by the Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED).