Why earn a Ph.D.?

• It is the most Advanced Research Degree in Academia.
• The Capstone Academic Degree in most academic disciplines.
• The Academic Degree That Certifies Recipients for Careers in the Research Community and Higher Education.

Benefits of earning a Ph.D.

• Opens more doors of opportunities in the field of higher education.
• Develops a solid foundation for career success and mobility.
• Provides opportunities through research to ask and answer questions of importance to society.

Long term benefits of the Ph.D.

• Lower Unemployment Rates.
• Higher lifetime Earned Income.
• Greater Likelihood for leadership and supervisory positions.

Graduate Education in the U.S.

• Most Graduate Students are enrolled at public institutions.
• 56% of current Graduate students are women and have earned 46% of the doctoral degrees.
• Students of color represent approximately 19% of graduate enrollment, but students of color are the fastest growing segments of the graduate community. (71% increase in the last 10 years compared to 12% increase for whites).

Ph.D. Trends and Under-representation

• Approximately 43,000 Ph.D.s are Awarded Annually.
• Approximately 28,000 U.S. citizens & Puerto Ricans (2/3)
• Approximately 60% to Men.
• Approximately 12.5% (3500) to people of color.
• Approximately 4.6% (1300) to African Americans.
• Approximately 3.4% (950) to Hispanics.