Projections of Education Statistics to 2008 / 98016 / Chapter 4. Earned Degrees Conferred

Projections of Education Statistics to 2008 / Chapter 4

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Chapter 4: Earned Degrees Conferred

The historical growth in enrollment of women in institutions of higher education has led to a substantial increase in the number of earned degrees conferred. Between 1982-83 and 1995-96, the number of degrees awarded to women rose at all levels. In 1995-96, women earned the majority of associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees, and around two-fifths of doctor's and first-professional degrees. Over the projection period, the number of degrees awarded to men and women will continue to rise at most levels.

Projections of earned degrees by level and sex were developed. In general, the number of degrees was related to college-age populations and higher education enrollment by level enrolled and attendance status.

Associate Degrees

Between 1982-83 and 1984-85, the number of associate degrees increased from 449,620 to 454,712. Thereafter, it decreased to 435,085 in 1987-88. Since then, it increased to an estimated 530,000 in 1995-96 (table 27 and figure 33). This number is expected to decrease to 520,000 in 1997-98. Then, it is projected to increase to 579,000 by 2007-08, an increase of 9 percent from 1995-96. The number of associate degrees awarded to men decreased from 203,991 in 1982-83 to 186,316 in 1988-89, before rising to an estimated 213,000 in 1995-96 (figure 34). This number is projected to decrease to 208,000 by 1999-2000 and then increase to 216,000 by 2007-08. The number of associate degrees awarded to women increased from 245,629 in 1982-83 to 251,780 in 1984-85 and then decreased to 245,038 in 1987-88. Thereafter, it increased to an estimated 316,000 in 1995-96, an increase of 29 percent from 1982-83. This number is projected to decrease to 311,000 by 1997-98. Thereafter, it will increase to 363,000 by 2007-08, an increase of 15 percent from 1995-96.

Bachelor's Degrees

The number of bachelor's degrees increased from 969,510 in 1982-83 to an estimated 1,167,000 in 1995-96, an increase of 20 percent (table 28 and figure 35). This number is expected to rise to 1,172,000 in 1997-98, decrease to 1,161,000 in 1999-2000, and then increase to 1,270,000 by 2007-08, an increase of 9 percent from 1995-96. The number of bachelor's degrees awarded to men increased from 479,140 in 1982-83 to 485,923 in 1985-86 and then declined for two years, before rising to an estimated 525,000 in 1995-96 (figure 36). This number is expected to decrease to 502,000 by 1999-2000 and then increase to 530,000 by 2007-08, an increase of 1 percent from 1995-96. The number of bachelor's degrees awarded to women increased from 490,370 in 1982-83 to an estimated 642,000 in 1995-96, an increase of 31 percent. This number is expected to increase to 739,000 by 2007-08, an increase of 15 percent from 1995-96.

Master's Degrees

The number of master's degrees decreased from 289,921 in 1982-83 to 284,263 in 1983-84, before rising to an estimated 398,000 in 1995-96, an increase of 37 percent from 1982-83 (table 29 and figure 37). This number is expected to increase to 446,000 by 2007-08. The number of master's degrees awarded to men decreased from 144,697 in 1982-83 to 141,269 in 1986-87. Then, it increased to an estimated 179,000 in 1995-96 (figure 38). This number is projected to increase to 203,000 by 2007-08. The number of master's degrees awarded to women decreased from 145,224 in 1982-83 to 140,668 in 1983-84. Since then, it increased to an estimated 219,000 in 1995-96. This number is expected to increase to 243,000 by 2007-08.

Doctor's Degrees

The number of doctor's degrees increased from 32,775 in 1982-83 to about 44,100 in 1995-96, an increase of 35 percent (table 30 and figure 39). This number is expected to increase to 49,500 by 2007-08. The number of doctor's degrees awarded to men increased from 21,902 to an estimated 27,000 in 1995-96. This number is expected to increase to 27,400 in 1999-2000. Then it will decrease to 26,600 by 2007-08 (figure 40). The number of doctor's degrees awarded to women rose from 10,873 in 1982-83 to an estimated 17,100 in 1995-96, an increase of 57 percent. Over the projection period, this pattern is expected to continue. The number of doctor's degrees awarded to women is projected to climb to 22,900 by 2007-08, an increase of 34 percent from 1995-96. The share of doctor's degrees awarded to women, which was 33 percent in 1982-83 and 39 percent in 1995-96, is projected to climb to 46 percent by 2007-08.

First-Professional Degrees

The number of first-professional degrees awarded rose from 73,054 in 1982-83 to 75,063 in 1984-85. Then, it decreased to 70,735 in 1987-88. Thereafter, it increased to about 79,100 in 1995-96 (table 31 and figure 41). This number is expected to increase to 79,700 in 1996-97 and then decrease to 71,800 in 2003-04. Thereafter, it will increase to 75,000 by 2007-08. The number of first-professional degrees awarded to men decreased from 51,250 in 1982-83 to 43,846 in 1990-91 (figure 42). Then, it increased to an estimated 45,700 in 1995-96. This number is projected to increase to 46,100 in 1997-98 and then decrease to 39,800 by 2003-04. Thereafter, it is projected to increase to 40,800 by 2007-08. The number of first-professional degrees awarded to women increased from 21,804 in 1982-83 to an estimated 33,400 in 1995-96, an increase of 53 percent. This number is expected to increase to 34,200 by 2007-08, an increase of 2 percent from 1995-96. The women's proportion of first-professional degrees rose from 30 percent in 1982-83 to 42 percent in 1995-96. By 2007-08, this proportion is expected to rise to 46 percent.