Title    : Science & Engineering Doctorate Awards Are at an All-Time High  
Type     : 1996 Data Briefs  
NSF Org  : SBE / SRS  
Date     : June 19, 1996 
File     : SDB96307
  
  
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Science & Engineering Doctorate Awards Are at an All-Time High  
 
 
   In 1995, doctorate awards in science and engineering fields reached the highest level ever. 
Of 41,610 research doctorates that were awarded in academic year 1995 by U.S. universities, 
26,515 (almost two-thirds) were in science and engineering (S&E) fields. Doctorate awards 
in S&E fields increased faster than awards in non-S& E fields in the last 5 years. Among 
broad S&E fields, an exceptionally large percentage increase occurred in engineering.

(Chart 1. Percent change form 1990 to 1995 in science and engineering (S&E) and non-S&E
doctorate awards, by broad field and sex of recipient appears here in printed and Adobe
Acrobat versions.)  
 
   The number of women earning S&E doctorates between 1990 and 1995 increased 30 percent, 
compared with only 9 percent for men. 
 
   Among U.S. citizens, the number of Asians, Blacks, and Hispanics earning S&E doctorates 
in 1995 was significantly higher than in 1990, whereas the number of American Indians 
increased slightly.[1] Still, women and minorities are underrepresented among S&E doctorates. 
The number of white males earning S&E doctorates was about the same as in 1990. 

   Growth in the number of S&E doctorate awards was fueled more by non-U.S. citizens on 
permanent visas than by U.S. citizens. The number of S&E doctorate awards increased from 
about 22,865 to 26,515 from 1990 to 1995. Of this increase of 3,650 recipients, U.S citizens 
accounted for 25 percent, while non-U.S. citizens with temporary visas accounted for 12 
percent and non-U.S. citizens on permanent visas accounted for 63 percent. (See table 1). 
Most of the increase among non-U.S. citizens with permanent visas was persons from the 
People’s Republic of China. 

(Table 1. Science and engineering (S&E) and non-S&E doctorate awards, by broad
field and citizenship status, 1995 appears here in printed and Adobe Acrobat versions.)
 
   The data presented in this data brief were obtained from the Survey of Earned Doctorates. 
Research doctorate recipients respond to the survey at the time they complete the requirements
for their degree. More detailed data are in the SRS report entitled Selected Data on Science 
and Engineering Doctorate Awards: 1995. 
 
   This Data Brief was prepared by Susan T. Hill, National Science Foundation, Division of 
Science Resources Studies, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 965, Arlington, VA 22230. To obtain 
a free copy, contact the SRS Publications Management Group at the above address, call 
703-306-1773, or e-mail to srspubs@nsf.gov.

Footnote:

[1] For more detailed information on doctorate awards by race/ethnicity, see Selected
Data on Science and Engineering Doctorate Awards: 1995, Selected Data Tables, National
Science Foundation/SRS, (96-303).

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