Graduate education debt
Since 2005, temporary visa holders intending to leave the United States after earning a doctorate have been more likely than those intending to stay to have graduate education-related debt at the time of degree. Between 2005 and 2015, graduate debt was reported by nearly 20% of temporary visa holders intending to stay. However, among temporary visa holders intending to leave, the share declined slowly from 30% in 2005 to 25% in 2015. The percentage of U.S. citizens and permanent residents holding graduate debt at the time of degree has remained above 40% since 2007 (figure D).
U.S. doctorate recipients with graduate education-related debt, by resident type: 2005–15
| Year | All doctorate recipients | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 32.9 | 37.3 | 20.6 | 29.8 |
| 2006 | 32.0 | 36.9 | 19.6 | 29.1 |
| 2007 | 35.2 | 41.5 | 20.9 | 27.9 |
| 2008 | 36.0 | 42.6 | 20.9 | 27.2 |
| 2009 | 37.0 | 43.2 | 21.3 | 28.0 |
| 2010 | 36.0 | 42.2 | 20.3 | 24.6 |
| 2011 | 36.0 | 42.6 | 20.0 | 24.8 |
| 2012 | 37.0 | 43.9 | 19.5 | 27.6 |
| 2013 | 37.8 | 44.9 | 20.6 | 27.5 |
| 2014 | 37.4 | 44.6 | 20.2 | 26.1 |
| 2015 | 36.7 | 43.4 | 20.6 | 25.3 |
- NOTES: All doctorate recipients and U.S. citizens and permanent residents include doctorate holders not reporting postgraduation location. Percentage are based on doctorate recipients responding to the graduate debt item.
- SOURCE: Doctorate Recipients from U.S. Universities 2015. Related detailed data: tables 38, 39, 40, 41.
