Section 6. Postsecondary Degrees Conferred: Degrees, by Level of Degree and Sex of Recipient

Figure 24. Actual and projected numbers for associate's degrees conferred by postsecondary degree-granting institutions, by sex of recipient: 1995–96 through 2020–21

---

---

NOTE: Some data have been revised from previously published figures. Mean absolute percentage errors of selected education statistics can be found in table A-2, appendix A.
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, "Completions Survey” (IPEDS-C:95–99), and Fall 2000 through Fall 2009; and Degrees Conferred Model, 1975–76 through 2008–09. (This figure was prepared April 2011.)

Associate's degrees

Between 2008–09 and 2020–21, the number of associate's degrees is projected to increase

• 26 percent overall;
• 23 percent for men; and
• 28 percent for women.

For more information: Table 32

Figure 25. Actual and projected numbers for bachelor's degrees conferred by postsecondary degree-granting institutions, by sex of recipient: 1995–96 through 2020–21

---

---

NOTE: Some data have been revised from previously published figures. Mean absolute percentage errors of selected education statistics can be found in table A-2, appendix A.
. SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, "Completions Survey” (IPEDS-C:95–99), and Fall 2000 through Fall 2009; and Degrees Conferred Model, 1975–76 through 2008–09. (This figure was prepared April 2011.)

Bachelor's degrees

Between 2008–09 and 2020–21, the number of bachelor's degrees is projected to increase

• 21 percent overall;
• 18 percent for men; and
• 24 percent for women.

For more information: Table 33

Figure 26. Actual and projected numbers for master's degrees conferred by postsecondary degree-granting institutions, by sex of recipient: 1995–96 through 2020–21

---

---

NOTE: Some data have been revised from previously published figures. Mean absolute percentage errors of selected education statistics can be found in table A-2, appendix A.
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, "Completions Survey” (IPEDS-C:95–99), and Fall 2000 through Fall 2009; and Degrees Conferred Model, 1975–76 through 2008–09. (This figure was prepared April 2011.)

Master's degrees

Between 2008–09 and 2020–21, the number of master’s degrees is projected to increase

• 32 percent overall;
• 30 percent for men; and
• 33 percent for women.

For more information: Table 34

Figure 27. Actual and projected numbers for doctor's degrees conferred by postsecondary degree-granting institutions, by sex of recipient: 1995–96 through 2020–21

---

---

NOTE: Doctor’s degrees include Ph.D., Ed.D., and comparable degrees at the doctoral level. Excluded are first-professional degrees, such as M.D., D.D.S., and law degrees. Some data have been revised from previously published figures. Mean absolute percentage errors of selected education statistics can be found in table A-2, appendix A.
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, "Completions Survey” (IPEDS-C:95–99), and Fall 2000 through Fall 2009; and Degrees Conferred Model, 1975–76 through 2008–09. (This figure was prepared April 2011.)

Doctor's degrees

Between 2008–09 and 2020–21, the number of doctor’s degrees is projected to increase

• 57 percent overall;
• 42 percent for men; and
• 70 percent for women.

For more information: Table 35

Figure 28. Actual and projected numbers for first-professional degrees conferred by postsecondary degree-granting institutions, by sex of recipient: 1995–96 through 2020–21

---

---

NOTE: Some data have been revised from previously published figures. Mean absolute percentage errors of selected education statistics can be found in table A-2, appendix A.
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, "Completions Survey” (IPEDS-C:95–99), and Fall 2000 through Fall 2009; and Degrees Conferred Model, 1975–76 through 2008–09. (This figure was prepared April 2011.)

First-professional degrees

Between 2008–09 and 2020–21, the number of first-professional degrees is projected to increase

• 30 percent overall;
• 26 percent for men; and
• 33 percent for women.

For more information: Table 36