Section 4. Degrees Conferred: Degrees, by Level of Degree and Sex of Recipient

Between 1992–93 and 2005–06, the number and proportion of degrees awarded to women rose at all levels. In 2005–06, women earned the majority of associate's, bachelor's, and master's degrees; 49 percent of doctor's degrees; and slightly less than 50 percent of first-professional degrees. Between 2005–06 and 2017–18, continued increases are expected in the number of degrees awarded to women at all levels (figure G; reference figures 24–28 and tables 27–31).

Figure G. Actual and middle alternative projected numbers for degrees conferred, by level and sex of recipient: Selected years, 1992–93 to 2017–18

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NOTE: Detail may not sum to totals because of rounding. SOURCE: U.S. Dept. of Education, NCES, Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), "Completions Survey," various years; and Degrees Conferred Model. (See reference tables 27 through 31.)

Associate's degrees

Between 2005–06 and 2017–18, in the middle alternative projections, the number of associate's degrees is projected to

• increase 8 percent overall;
• increase 7 percent for men; and
• increase 9 percent for women.

Bachelor's degrees

Between 2005–06 and 2017–18, in the middle alternative projections, the number of bachelor's degrees is projected to

• increase 16 percent overall;
• increase 15 percent for men; and
• increase 18 percent for women.

Master's degrees

Between 2005–06 and 2017–18, in the middle alternative projections, the number of master's degrees is projected to

• increase 28 percent overall;
• increase 29 percent for men; and
• increase 27 percent for women.

Doctor's degrees

Between 2005–06 and 2017–18, in the middle alternative projections, the number of doctor's degrees is projected to

• increase 27 percent overall;
• increase 22 percent for men; and
• increase 32 percent for women.

Beginning in 2006–07, women are projected to receive more doctor's degrees than men in each set of alternative projections.

First-professional degrees

Between 2005–06 and 2017–18, in the middle alternative projections, the number of first-professional degrees is projected to

• increase 22 percent overall;
• increase 19 percent for men; and
• increase 25 percent for women.

Beginning in 2015–16, women are projected to receive more first professional degrees than men in each set of alternative projections.

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