Section 4. Degrees Conferred: Introduction

Continuing growth in enrollment in degree-granting institutions, with particularly large increases among women, has led to a substantial increase in the number of degrees conferred. Increases in the number of degrees conferred are expected to continue between 2004–05, the last year of actual data, and 2016–17.

Three alternative sets of projections

Middle, low, and high sets of projections were developed for the total number of degrees conferred at each level—associate's, bachelor's, master's, doctor's, and first-professional—as well as for the number conferred at each level, by sex of recipient.