Doctoral Students in the American Research Universities: The Difference by Major Field

Doctoral student survey which conducted as part of the National Research Council 2010 assessment is analyzed. Graduate schools in the United States form a world-class academic center. However, it turned out that graduate education has its own unique characteristics by each school and major field. The purpose of this study is to suggest the fluctuation factors in the American higher education system focusing on major field. I examine characteristics of the five major fields: Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Engineering, Biological and Health Sciences, Social and Behavioral Sciences, and Humanities about the attributions of doctoral students and primary sources of financial support.