Enrollment in Research Doctoral Degree Programs

Among students who were pursuing research doctoral degrees, over half (57.3 percent) were enrolled at public four-year institutions, 37.6 percent were enrolled at private nonprofit four-year institutions, and 5.0 percent attended for-profit institutions. There was considerable variation by race, ethnicity, and international status.

  • In 2019–20, 20.6 percent of Black or African American students in research doctoral programs were enrolled at for-profit institutions, compared with 5.0 percent of all students in this sector.
  • A larger share of international students (64.4 percent) than that of any other group enrolled at public four-year institutions, followed closely by Hispanic or Latino students (62.1 percent) and White students (60.9 percent).
  • Over half of multiracial students (57.1 percent) enrolled as doctoral students at private nonprofit institutions.
Graduate Enrollment in Research Doctoral Degree Programs Across Sectors, by Race and Ethnicity: 2019-20

Report Links

Race and Ethnicity in Higher Education: 2024 Status Report
Chapter Three: Enrollment in Graduate Education

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Source

Data from U.S. Department of Education, National Postsecondary Student Aid Study, 2020.

Notes:

Data reflect research doctoral degree programs enrollment at public four-year, private nonprofit four-year, and for-profit institutions.

Institutions were categorized into sectors based upon control of the institution and the length of the predominant award granted.

Detail may not sum to totals because of rounding.

Data for for the following should be interpreted with caution. Ratio of standard error to estimate is >30 percent but <50 percent.

  • Asian, For-Profit

  • Hispanic or Latino, For-Profit

  • More than one race, For-Profit

Data for the following should be interpreted with caution. Ratio of standard error is >50 percent.

  • International students, For-Profit

Reporting standards not met:

  • American Indian or Alaska Native, Public Four-Year

  • American Indian or Alaska Native, Private Nonprofit Four-Year

  • American Indian or Alaska Native, For-Profit

  • Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, Public Four-Year

  • Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, Private Nonprofit Four-Year

  • Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, For-Profit