Who earns a U.S. doctorate?

Sex

Citizenship

Women have earned a slim majority of all doctorates awarded to U.S. citizens and permanent residents each year since 2002, and they have earned more than 30% of all doctorates awarded to temporary visa holders over that period. From 1996 to 2006, the share of female doctorate recipients grew from 45% to 51% among U.S. citizens and permanent residents, and from 23% to 34% among temporary visa holders. Since 2006, the shares of female doctorates in both citizenship categories have changed little. Overall, 46% of all doctorates in 2016 were awarded to women.

Sex and citizenship of U.S. doctorate recipients: 1996–2016

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(Doctorate recipients)
Year Male U.S. citizens and permanent residents Male temporary visa holders Female U.S. citizens and permanent residents Female temporary visa holders
1996 17,209 7,479 14,339 2,248
1997 16,891 6,976 14,173 2,203
1998 16,566 6,986 14,610 2,455
1999 15,904 6,633 14,408 2,423
2000 15,304 6,856 14,643 2,810
2001 14,684 7,011 14,209 2,800
2002 13,779 6,765 13,957 2,977
2003 13,920 7,257 14,250 3,340
2004 13,770 7,913 14,270 3,715
2005 13,586 8,749 14,357 4,079
2006 14,266 9,398 14,762 4,800
2007 14,240 9,994 15,260 5,128
2008 14,774 9,984 16,069 5,277
2009 15,508 9,564 16,818 5,167
2010 15,275 8,768 16,327 4,868
2011 15,397 9,179 16,329 5,056
2012 16,073 9,556 16,909 5,224
2013 16,550 10,103 17,415 5,571
2014 16,661 10,206 17,345 5,633
2015 17,225 10,398 17,861 5,734
2016 17,543 10,683 18,175 5,814