Statistics
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APS generates statistical reports on issues in undergraduate physics. These reports are freely available for your use. You may use our graphs in reports and presentations. Credit APS and the source as shown on each graph.
Additional statistics and graphs are available
Physics Degrees Awarded to Underrepresented Minorities in the U.S.
Credit: APS/Source: IPEDS Completion Survey, AIP, U.S. Census
This graph shows the percentage of underrepresented minorities (URMs) in physics compared to the percentage of URMs in the U.S. college age population and among all bachelor degrees awarded.
- Data for college age population is a 6 year average of 2009 U.S. Census data on 18-24 year old population
- Data for the bachelor degrees estimation is an average of 2002, 2003, and 2004.
- Data for the doctoral degrees estimation is an average of 2008, 2009, and 2010.
- All degree data is collected from the IPEDS Completion Survey by Race.
- Data on physics faculty is collected for 2008 and is from the American Institute of Physics Statistical Research Center
Percent of Degrees Awarded to Minorities
Credit: APS/Source: IPEDS Completion Survey
This graph shows the percentage of degrees in various fields earned by underrepresented minorities (URMs) at US institutions. In this case, URMs include African Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans. Degrees awarded to temporary residents are not included in the calculation. Data is collected from the IPEDS Completion Survey by Race. The IPEDS data represent a 3-year average for the bachelor, master and doctoral degrees for the three most recent years data is available.
Cumulative PhD Completion Rate for Math/Physical Sciences
Credit: APS/Source: Council on Graduate Schools
Percentage of doctoral students completing PhDs in Math/Physical Sciences for Asian American, White, African American, and Hispanic American students.
Physics Degrees Awarded to Underrepresented Minorities in the U.S.
The broad goals governing the program are to:
- Increase, within a decade, the fraction of physics PhDs awarded to underrepresented minority students to match the fraction of physics Bachelor's degrees granted to these groups
- Develop, evaluate, and document sustainable model bridging experiences that improve the access to and culture of graduate education for all students, with emphasis on those underrepresented in doctoral programs in physics
- Promote and disseminate successful program components to the physics community.
