Skip to content
Science and Engineering Doctorates

Who earns a U.S. doctorate?

Race and ethnicity

Participation in doctoral education by underrepresented minorities who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents is increasing, as evidenced by a 31% increase in the number of doctorates awarded to blacks or African Americans over the past 10 years and a 71% increase in the number of Hispanic or Latino doctorate recipients. Owing to these growth rates, the proportion of doctorates earned by blacks or African Americans has risen from 6.2% in 2005 to 6.5% in 2015, and the proportion awarded to Hispanics or Latinos has grown from 5.1% to 7.0%. The number of American Indian or Alaska Native doctorate recipients increased from 2014 to 2015 (figure F).

Doctorates earned by underrepresented minority U.S. citizens and permanent residents: 2005–15

Chart of Doctorates earned by underrepresented minority U.S. citizens and permanent residents: 2005–15
(Doctorate recipients)
Year American Indian or Alaska Native Black or African American Hispanic or Latino
2005 137 1,741 1,435
2006 113 1,789 1,532
2007 140 1,891 1,655
2008 115 1,961 1,773
2009 132 2,168 1,880
2010 117 1,939 1,843
2011 127 1,899 1,990
2012 104 2,056 2,144
2013 119 2,172 2,135
2014 103 2,172 2,192
2015 130 2,281 2,451
Table of Doctorates earned by underrepresented minority U.S. citizens and permanent residents: 2005–15