Between academic years 1999–2000 and 2009–10, the number of degrees earned increased by 50 percent each for associate's and master's degrees, 33 percent for bachelor's degrees, and 34 percent for doctor's degrees. For all levels of degrees in 2009–10, females earned the majority of degrees awarded.
Postsecondary enrollment in degree-granting institutions increased by 38 percent, from 14.8 million students in fall 1999 to 20.4 million students in fall 2009 (see indicators 10 and 11). This growth was accompanied by a 41 percent increase, from 2.4 million to 3.4 million, in the number of degrees earned in the same time period. The number of degrees earned increased by 50 percent each for associate's and master's degrees, 33 percent for bachelor's degrees, and 34 percent for doctor's degrees (see table A-47-1).
From 1999–2000 to 2009–10, the number of degrees earned among U.S. residents increased for students of all racial/ethnic groups for each level of degree, but at varying rates (see table A-47-2). For associate's, bachelor's, and master's degrees, the change in percentage distribution of degree recipients was characterized by an increase in the numbers of degrees conferred to Black and Hispanic students. For doctor's degrees, the change in percentage distribution of degree recipients was characterized by an increase in the numbers of degrees conferred to Hispanic and Asian/Pacific Islander students. (For more information on changing enrollment patterns in postsecondary education by race/ethnicity, see tables A-10-3 and A-11-2.)
Among U.S. residents, the number of associate's degrees earned by Hispanic students more than doubled from academic years 1999–2000 to 2009–10 (increasing by 118 percent), and the number earned by Black students increased by 89 percent (see table A-47-2). As a result, Blacks earned 14 percent and Hispanics earned 13 percent of all associate's degrees awarded in 2009–10, up from 11 percent and 9 percent, respectively, in 1999–2000. During the same time period, the number of bachelor's degrees awarded to Black students increased by 53 percent, and the number awarded to Hispanic students increased by 87 percent. In 2009–10, Black students earned 10 percent and Hispanics earned 9 percent of all bachelor's degrees conferred, versus the 9 and 6 percent, respectively, earned in 1999–2000. Similarly, the numbers of master's degrees earned by Black and Hispanic students more than doubled from 1999–2000 to 2009–10 (increasing by 109 percent and 125 percent, respectively). As a result, among U.S. residents in 2009–10, Black students earned 12 percent and Hispanics earned 7 percent of all master's degrees conferred, up from 9 percent and 5 percent, respectively, in 1999–2000. In addition, the number of doctor's degrees awarded increased by 60 percent for Hispanic students and by 47 percent for Black students.
From 1999–2000 to 2009–10, the percentage of degrees earned by females remained between approximately 60 and 62 percent for associate's degrees and between 57 and 58 percent for bachelor's degrees (see table A-47-1). In contrast, the percentages of both master's and doctor's degrees earned by females increased from 1999–2000 to 2009–10 (from 58 to 60 percent and from 45 to 52 percent, respectively). Within each racial/ethnic group, women earned the majority of degrees at all levels in 2009–10. For example, among U.S. residents, Black females earned 68 percent of associate's degrees, 66 percent of bachelor's degrees, 71 percent of master's degrees, and 65 percent of all doctor's degrees awarded to Black students (see table A-47-2). Hispanic females earned 62 percent of associate's degrees, 61 percent of bachelor's degrees, 64 percent of master's degrees, and 55 percent of all doctor's degrees awarded to Hispanic students.
Technical Notes
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