How many people that enter a PhD program finish? What is the average age of finishing and entering?

Answer 1

While no national statistics are available, studies suggest that the attrition rate at Ph.D. programs in the United States is as high as 40 percent to 50 percent.

My source for this:
http://chronicle.com/colloquylive/2004/01/phd/

The average age for degree conferment is now 33.8 years.

My source for this:
http://www.grad.washington.edu/Envision/news/commons.html

The statistics in both cases are from Bowen and Rudenstine's study, published as "In Pursuit of the PhD," Princeton University Press, 1992.

Answer 2

The answer to your question depends on the program-- it's not like Med-school where 1/5 generally don't finish and only early-mid twenties people are generally considered. If you are interested in a specific program, and you are accepted, it means that you already proved you are capable of completing the degree. Some PhD programs take 3 years, some take 7. You really have to look into the specifics of what you are interested in, or any such information will be meaningless.

Answer 3

I do not know statistics, but have read that PHD's are often among the homeless...believe it or not. It makes you overqualified for most anything except teaching at a university or doing research. If you want the title of Dr. before your name, I would suggest you look another direction. My brother was a PHD and he spent a lot of time unemployed. He had too much education. It is a very sad situation. People did not want to hire someone more educated than their potential supervisor/employer. It creates tension. It is a sorry situation that education can work against you.

Answer 4

in the past you matriculate right into a PhD application you may ask the admissions committee what the commencement fee is and how long on conventional does it take for the scholars to graduate while they get customary right into a PhD application. this could keep away from time and funds. you do no longer could important in zoology to artwork with animals, even however a level in some form of technology/animal container is quite helpful. you may finished 4 years of undergraduate college and as quickly as you get customary right into a PhD application this technique could variety from 4-6 years (this quite relies upon on the college and the p.c.. you're going at). I extraordinarily propose you to volunteer or artwork in an animal container in the past majoring in some thing that sounds exciting so which you have a extra proper thought of the sector and no count if this is for you. remember you do no longer choose a PhD to artwork with animals. evaluate different recommendations as properly. you would be able to correctly be a vet tech, vet, zookeeper, animal coach, or farm supervisor. there are a number of recommendations!