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Science and Engineering Doctorates

International students who intend to stay in the United States: What are the educational and expected employment outcomes?

First postgraduate position

Employment sector

Among doctorate recipients reporting a definite postgraduation commitment for non-postdoc employment in 2011 to 2015, temporary visa holders intending to stay in the United States after graduation were about three times as likely to work in the industry or business sector (60%) as those intending to leave the United States (19%) or U.S. citizens and permanent residents (22%). These latter two types of doctorates were far more likely to take non-postdoc positions in the academic and government sectors (figure F).

Employment sector of U.S. doctorate recipients with definite commitments for employed position, by resident type: 2011–15

Chart of Employment sector of U.S. doctorate recipients with definite commitments for employed position, by resident type: 2011–15
Employment sector U.S. citizens and permanent residents Temporary visa holders intending to stay in the United States Temporary visa holders intending to leave the United States
Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent
Academe 32,774 54.6 5,437 34.4 4,303 62.5
Industry or business 13,182 22.0 9,475 60.0 1,340 19.5
Government 5,383 9.0 266 1.7 860 12.5
Other 8,691 14.5 619 3.9 386 5.6
Table of Employment sector of U.S. doctorate recipients with definite commitments for employed position, by resident type: 2011–15