Number of Doctorates in Science and Math on the Rise

Jonathan Lekstutis
November 23, 2007

The total number of doctoral degrees awarded by American colleges and universities rose 5.1 percent in 2006. This rise led to a record of 45,596 doctoral degrees being awarded, according to a report released by the National Science Foundation. Out of the increase in doctorates the largest rise came in the fields of science and engineering.

The news, which is good for the fields of science and math, had a foreign element to it. Out of the doctorates that were granted, 1,521 more doctorates were granted in 2006 than in 2005 to academics who are not American citizens. In sum, foreign born students accounted for nearly 35 percent of all doctorates granted in 2006 and for 43 percent of the doctorates awarded in scientific and engineering fields.

Non –citizens totaled more than 70 percent of Ph.D. recipients in electrical, civil and industrial /mechanical engineering. They also accounted for more that half of the Ph.D. recipients in all other engineering fields, computer sciences, math and physics. So while we are seeing an increase in the interest of science and math, there is a foreign element to it. Some believe Americans need to be the leaders in these fields as the global economy begins to change.