Research reference
Six citable figures on research doctorates and international enrollment, assembled for writers, educators, and reporters who need a reliable starting point.
Last updated November 11, 2026. Latest underlying data: 2024 and 2023/24.
At a glance
This page brings together the latest available federal data on U.S. research doctorates and current Open Doors data on international enrollment. Each figure includes its scope and a direct source link, so it can be checked and cited without chasing a vague claim around the internet.
58,131
Statistic 01
The count rose by 325 from the revised 2023 total of 57,806. The federal survey covers research doctorates, not professional degrees such as the JD, MD, or PsyD.
Source: NCSES, Doctorate Recipients from U.S. Universities: 2024 ↗79%
Statistic 02
That share is up from 66% in 2004. The same federal trend series reports a 65% rise in the number of science and engineering doctorates over that period.
Source: NCSES, Doctorate Recipients from U.S. Universities: 2024 ↗12,202
Statistic 03
The figure comes from the federal trend taxonomy, which groups research doctorates into science and engineering and non-science and engineering fields.
Source: NCSES, Doctorate Recipients from U.S. Universities: 2024 ↗48%
Statistic 04
Among U.S. citizens and permanent residents, women earned 54% of doctorates in 2024. The reported proportions exclude recipients who did not report sex or citizenship where noted by the source.
Source: NCSES, Doctorate Recipients from U.S. Universities: 2024 ↗1,126,690
Statistic 05
Open Doors reported a 7% increase to a record total. This measure covers all levels of U.S. higher education and students on optional practical training, not doctoral students alone.
Source: Institute of International Education, Open Doors 2024 Fast Facts ↗5.9%
Statistic 06
Open Doors places the international-student total alongside a National Center for Education Statistics projection of 18,939,568 students in U.S. higher education.
Source: Institute of International Education, Open Doors 2024 Fast Facts ↗Methodology and sources
Research-doctorate statistics come from the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics’ annual Survey of Earned Doctorates. Its definition includes doctorates built around an original intellectual contribution, such as a dissertation, and excludes professional doctorates. International enrollment figures come from the Institute of International Education’s Open Doors report and cover students across U.S. higher education.
These sources answer different questions and should not be combined as though they measure the same population. Phoenix Blue will review the underlying releases about monthly and refresh this page when a newer source materially changes a figure.
Cite this page
Phoenix Blue Academic Editing Services. (2026, November 11). U.S. doctoral education statistics: 2026 fact sheet. https://phoenixblueedits.com/doctoral-education-statistics
When citing one figure, link directly to its numbered statistic and include the original source listed with it.
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