What Percentage Of People Have A Doctorate? The percentage of the population holding a doctorate is small but impactful, reflecting advanced expertise. Learn more about doctoral degree attainment and its impact on the U.S. from the team at thebootdoctor.net, which is your ally in foot health and overall well-being. Unlock your potential with a Ph.D. and discover the rewards of elevated education, higher learning, and career advancement.
1. Understanding Doctorate Degree Statistics
Doctorate degree statistics have consistently been an intriguing subject for academics, government officials, and the general population. A doctorate is the highest level of academic accomplishment, signifying years of intense study, research, and commitment. Let’s check out some stats. According to a World Population Review study, about 2% of the U.S. population holds a Ph.D., with a small gender gap of 2.5% for men and 2% for women.
2. What Is A Doctorate Degree?
The doctorate degree, commonly known as a Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy), began in medieval Europe. It was initially a title conferred to people who had reached the highest level of education in areas such as theology, law, and medicine. Over time, the doctorate’s scope broadened, encompassing a wide range of disciplines and becoming associated with advanced research and knowledge.
2.1. Exploring The Different Types of Doctorate Degrees
While the Ph.D. is the most well-known type of doctorate, there are several others, each designed for specific fields and objectives.
- Professional Doctorates (e.g., EdD, PsyD, DBA): These are designed for professionals who want to use research to solve practical problems in their fields.
- Research Doctorates (e.g., PhD, D.Sc.): Focused on original research that culminates in a dissertation or thesis.
- Higher Doctorates: In some countries, these are awarded for significant contributions to a specific field, generally after the primary doctorate.
- Honorary Doctorates: Given as a mark of respect, without the recipient completing the typical academic requirements.
2.2. What Are the Benefits of Earning a Doctorate Degree?
Earning a doctorate provides several benefits.
- Expertise: Obtain a thorough understanding and command of a specific topic.
- Career Opportunities: Improved job opportunities, particularly in academia, research, and specialized professions.
- Higher Earning Potential: Doctorate holders often earn higher salaries than those with lower degrees.
- Contribution to Knowledge: The opportunity to add to the body of knowledge in a specific field.
- Personal Growth: The rigorous process of acquiring a doctorate strengthens critical thinking, perseverance, and problem-solving abilities.
Professor assisting student in library
3. Key Statistics and Insights into Doctorate Degree Holders
Let’s explore the rate of doctoral degree holders based on data and trends.
- Employment Rates: Doctorate degree holders are more likely to be employed than those with a master’s degree or less.1
- Degree Conferral: In 2020, 1.39% more doctorate or professional degrees were awarded compared to 2019.2
- Projected Growth: By 2030, the number of doctorate degrees awarded is expected to reach over 800,000.3
- Percentage of Graduates: Doctorates or professional degrees were earned by 190,178 graduates, accounting for 4.6% of all graduates.2
- Major Fields of Study: Healthcare accounted for 43.6% of doctorate degrees, law and legal studies for 18.8%, and education for 6.9%.2
- Median Age: In 2020, the median age of doctorate recipients was 35 years old.4
- Most Common Doctorate: The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) was the most commonly awarded doctorate in 2020.4
- Time to Completion: Doctoral students in 2021 needed an average of 7.3 years after starting graduate school to complete their doctorate.5
- Total Study Time: On average, it took 8.7 years from their bachelor’s degree to complete their doctoral studies.5
- Parental Education: 16% of Ph.D. earners reported that neither of their parents had more than a high school diploma.6
- Parental Background: 70.5% reported that at least one of their parents had earned a bachelor’s degree or higher.6
4. Doctorate Degrees Based On Sex or Gender
Here are some important statistics that we have to consider.
- Female Graduates: Women earned 104,953 doctorates or professional degrees, accounting for 55.2% of all doctorates and professional degrees conferred.2
- Gender Distribution (2019/20): In the academic year 2019/20, around 85,230 male and 104,950 female students earned a doctoral degree in the United States.7
- Projected Growth (2030/31): By the academic year 2030/31, these numbers are expected to rise to about 88,000 and 133,000, respectively.7
- Increase in Female Graduates: From 2000-01 to 2020-21, there was a 93.1% increase in female students earning doctorate degrees.7
- Increase in Male Graduates: From 2000-01 to 2020-21, there was a 34% increase in male students earning doctorate degrees.7
- Fields of Study Dominated by Females: Females earned the majority of degrees in four of the five fields of study in which the most doctor’s degrees were conferred8:
- Education (70%)
- Health Professions and Related Programs (61%)
- Legal Profession and Studies (53%)
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences (53%)
- Fields of Study Dominated by Males: Of the five fields of study in which the most doctor’s degrees were conferred, males earned the majority of doctor’s degrees in engineering (74%).8
*Note: There are few statistics that include nonbinary genders in official sources. In most cases, the terms “sex” and “gender” are used interchangeably.
5. Doctorate Degrees Based On Race or Ethnicity
Here are some stats based on race or ethnicity.
- White Students: In 2021, White students accounted for 63.36% of doctorate degrees conferred to U.S. citizens.9
- Asian and Pacific Islander Students: Asian and Pacific Islander students accounted for 13% of doctorate degrees conferred to U.S. citizens.9
- Black Students: Black students accounted for 10% of doctorate degrees conferred to U.S. citizens.9
- Hispanic Students: Hispanic students accounted for 9.65% of doctorate degrees conferred to U.S. citizens.9
- Students of Two or More Races: Students of two or more races accounted for 3.38% of doctorate degrees conferred to U.S. citizens.9
- American Indian and Alaska Native Students: American Indian and Alaska Native students accounted for 0.41% of doctorate degrees conferred to U.S. citizens.9
- STEM Fields and Non-Resident Students: 46% of doctor’s degrees in a STEM field were conferred to U.S. non-resident students.8
- Non-Resident Students: Non-resident students accounted for 12.10% of total doctorate degrees conferred in 2021.9
- Top Countries of Origin: In 2020, the three top countries of origin for visa holders earning a U.S. doctorate were China, India, and South Korea.4
6. Fields of Study in Doctorate Degrees
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 below3:
- Health professions and related programs: 85,581 degrees
- Legal professions and studies: 35,976 degrees
- Education: 13,655 degrees
- Engineering: 10,890 degrees
- In 2020, 80,310, or 43.6% of doctorate and professional program graduates, hold degrees in healthcare; 34,540, or 18.8%, hold degrees in legal studies.2
- Over 70% of doctorate and professional degree holders work in professional or related occupations.10
- Among the 194,100 doctor’s degrees conferred by postsecondary institutions in 2020–21, some 15 percent (28,800 degrees) were in a STEM field.8
Female student smiling in workplace
7. Earnings and Employment for People With Doctorate Degrees
Here are some earning and employment stats for people with doctorate degrees.
- Average Earnings: Doctorate degree holders earn an average of $100,000 more per year than those with a master’s degree or less.1
- Median Lifetime Earnings: Median lifetime earnings are $4 million for those with doctorate degrees.11
- The figure is $4.3 million for men with a doctorate
- The figure is $3.6 million for women with a doctorate
- Weekly Earnings: People with a doctorate have a median usual weekly earning of $2,080.11
- Professional Degree Earnings: People with a professional degree have a median usual weekly earning of $2,080.11
- Comparison to Master’s Degree: People with a doctorate make 25% more in median usual weekly earnings than people with a master’s degree.12
- Unemployment Rate: The unemployment rate of people with a doctoral degree is 1%.12
- Professional Degree Unemployment: The unemployment rate of people with a professional degree is just 1.4%.12
- Employment Sectors: Doctorate degree holders are more likely to be employed in management, professional, and related occupations.1
- Self-Employment: Doctorate degree holders are more likely to be self-employed than those with a master’s degree or less.1
- Median Annual Salary by Field (2020): The median annual salary for doctorate recipients in 2020 by field of study was4:
- Engineering: $136,000
- Business: $127,000
- Computer and information sciences: $125,000
- Health professions and related sciences: $122,000
- Biological and biomedical sciences: $118,000
- Physical sciences: $115,000
- Education: $108,000
- Mathematics and statistics: $107,000
- Social sciences: $104,000
8. Online vs. Traditional Doctoral Degrees
The digital age has brought about a new era of learning, with online doctoral programs gaining popularity. But how do they stack up against traditional, on-campus programs?
8.1. What Are The Online Doctoral Degree Statistics?
Here are some key online doctoral degree stats to consider.
- Online Class Enrollment: In 2021, 11.2 million college students (60%) took at least one class online.13
- Number of Online Colleges: In 2020, there were 422 online colleges, representing 11% of all postsecondary institutions. These colleges enrolled 2.8 million students (15% of all college students) in 2020.13
- Graduate Student Enrollment: In 2019, research found that 39.8% of graduate students were enrolled in online learning.14
- Earning Potential: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, those with a doctoral degree earn a median difference of $575 more per week than those with just a bachelor’s degree. Doctorate holders boast some of the lowest unemployment rates.14
- Program Benefits: Online doctoral degrees often offer accelerated programs for students, and tuition costs for online programs are often lower than those for in-person programs.14
- Student Demographics: According to BestColleges.com, 68% of current online students held full-time or part-time employment, and 95% had children under 18 living in their household.13
- Student Satisfaction: The same source reports that 90% of college students rate their online education experience as equivalent to or better than their on-campus course experiences. The report also indicates that around 70% of students deem their online programs worth the time and financial investment.13
8.2. Online vs. Traditional Factors to Consider
When deciding between online and traditional doctoral programs, consider these factors.
- Flexibility: Online programs provide greater flexibility, allowing students to balance work, family, and academics.
- Cost: Online degrees can be more affordable because they eliminate costs such as commuting, housing, and campus fees.
- Networking: Traditional programs often provide more opportunities for networking through face-to-face interactions with peers and faculty.
- Accreditation: Ensure that the online program is accredited by a recognized organization, as this ensures quality and acceptance in the job market.
- Learning Style: Some people thrive in an online setting, while others prefer the structure and interaction of a traditional classroom.
9. The Impact on Foot Health and Overall Well-Being
While pursuing a doctorate demonstrates dedication and academic achievement, remember the importance of overall well-being, including foot health. Long hours of study and research can take a toll on your feet. Here’s where thebootdoctor.net comes in. We are dedicated to providing information and support to keep your feet healthy and comfortable.
- Proper Footwear: Choosing the right shoes is essential, especially when you spend long hours on your feet.
- Regular Breaks: Take regular breaks to stretch and move around to improve circulation and reduce strain on your feet.
- Foot Care: Implement a foot care regimen to keep your feet clean, moisturized, and free of discomfort.
- Professional Advice: Seek help from a podiatrist, particularly if you encounter chronic foot discomfort or other issues. You can visit us at 6565 Fannin St, Houston, TX 77030, United States, or call us at +1 (713) 791-1414. You can also visit our website, thebootdoctor.net.
10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Doctorate Degrees
Here are some answers to questions that you may have.
10.1. What Percentage of the U.S. Population Holds a Doctorate?
Approximately 2% of the U.S. population holds a Ph.D.
10.2. What Is the Most Common Type of Doctorate Degree?
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) is the most common type of doctorate degree.
10.3. How Long Does It Typically Take to Complete a Doctorate?
On average, it takes about 7.3 years after starting graduate school or 8.7 years since earning a bachelor’s degree to complete a doctorate.
10.4. What Are the Highest Paying Fields for Doctorate Holders?
Engineering, business, and computer and information sciences are among the highest paying fields for doctorate holders.
10.5. Are Doctorate Holders More Likely to Be Employed?
Yes, doctorate degree holders are more likely to be employed than those with a master’s degree or less.
10.6. What Is the Unemployment Rate for People With a Doctorate?
The unemployment rate for people with a doctoral degree is very low, around 1%.
10.7. How Much More Can Someone With a Doctorate Earn Compared to a Master’s Degree?
People with a doctorate can earn about 25% more in median usual weekly earnings than people with a master’s degree.
10.8. What Is the Difference Between an Online and Traditional Doctorate Program?
Online programs offer more flexibility and can be more cost-effective, while traditional programs provide more networking opportunities through face-to-face interactions.
10.9. How Can I Ensure an Online Doctorate Program Is Credible?
Ensure that the online program is accredited by a recognized accreditation body.
10.10. What Are the Top Fields of Study for Doctoral Degrees?
The top fields of study include health professions, legal studies, education, and engineering.
11. Conclusion: Pursuing Academic Excellence
The realm of doctoral education has undergone considerable change throughout the years. Whether you choose a traditional or online program, the goal remains the same: a dedication to furthering knowledge and attaining the highest level of academic distinction. As doctorate holder statistics continue to rise, it is clear that pursuing this prestigious degree remains a sought-after goal for many.
Remember, while you strive for academic excellence, prioritize your overall well-being. thebootdoctor.net is here to support you with expert advice and resources for maintaining healthy and comfortable feet. Explore our articles and guides, and don’t hesitate to contact us for personalized care. Your journey to success includes taking care of your feet every step of the way.
Doctorate Degree Statistics and Facts
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12. Sources
- Doctorate Degree Statistics and Facts (nu.edu)
- NCES (nces.ed.gov)
- National Science Foundation (nsf.gov)
- Survey of Earned Doctorates (nsf.gov)
- Council of Graduate Schools (cgsnet.org)
- Pew Research Center (pewresearch.org)
- National Center for Education Statistics (nces.ed.gov)
- National Science Foundation, National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (ncses.nsf.gov)
- National Center for Education Statistics (nces.ed.gov)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov)
- U.S. Census Bureau (census.gov)
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov)
- EducationData.org (educationdata.org)
- BestColleges.com (bestcolleges.com)
