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
Characteristic
Number 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
Psychology
6,363
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 services
1,435
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 fields
205
Liberal arts and sciences, general studies,and humanities
Includes Ph.D., E.D., and comparable degrees at the doctoral level, as well as such degrees as M.D., D.D.S., and law degrees that were formerly classified as first-professional degrees.
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NCES. (September 30, 2022). Number of doctoral degrees earned in the United States in 2020/21, by field of research [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 23, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/185353/number-of-doctoral-degrees-by-field-of-research/
NCES. "Number of doctoral degrees earned in the United States in 2020/21, by field of research." Chart. September 30, 2022. Statista. Accessed December 23, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/185353/number-of-doctoral-degrees-by-field-of-research/
NCES. (2022). Number of doctoral degrees earned in the United States in 2020/21, by field of research. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 23, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/185353/number-of-doctoral-degrees-by-field-of-research/
NCES. "Number of Doctoral Degrees Earned in The United States in 2020/21, by Field of Research." Statista, Statista Inc., 30 Sep 2022, https://www.statista.com/statistics/185353/number-of-doctoral-degrees-by-field-of-research/
NCES, Number of doctoral degrees earned in the United States in 2020/21, by field of research Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/185353/number-of-doctoral-degrees-by-field-of-research/ (last visited December 23, 2024)
Number of doctoral degrees earned in the United States in 2020/21, by field of research [Graph], NCES, September 30, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/185353/number-of-doctoral-degrees-by-field-of-research/
