PhD programs require a significant time commitment, often taking 5-7 years or more to complete. Given this extended period of graduate study, there are some common age ranges when students embark on a PhD program. Quick answer: The average age of PhD students in the U.S. is 33 years old. However, PhD students can range in age from their early 20s to their 60s and beyond. The most common age to start a PhD is between 25-34 years old.
Some key factors that influence the typical age of PhD students include:
- Time spent in prior education – Students who go straight from undergraduate to graduate school tend to be in their early to mid 20s. Those who work for a few years in between academic programs may be in their late 20s or 30s.
- Field of study – In the humanities and social sciences, the average PhD student age skews older (mid 30s). In STEM fields, students tend to be younger (late 20s).
- Program structure – Traditional, full-time on-campus PhD programs attract younger students. Part-time and online programs cater more to working professionals in their 30s-40s.
While the early 30s is most common, PhD students of all ages can thrive in a program that’s the right fit. In this article, we’ll break down the typical age data in more detail.
Age Distribution of PhD Students
Looking at the age makeup of the over 160,000 PhD students in the U.S. provides more insight into the most common age brackets.
The table below shows the percentage of PhD students in each age range, according to data from the National Science Foundation’s Survey of Earned Doctorates:
| Age Range | Percentage of PhD Students |
|---|---|
| Under 25 | 7.7% |
| 25-29 | 27.4% |
| 30-34 | 22.5% |
| 35-39 | 14.6% |
| 40-44 | 11.2% |
| 45-49 | 7.8% |
| 50-54 | 5.0% |
| 55-59 | 2.3% |
| 60+ | 1.6% |
Some key takeaways:
- The most common age range is 25-29, representing over 27% of PhD students.
- Over half (52%) of PhD students are between 25-34 years old.
- Only 9.6% of PhD students are over the age of 45.
- 78% of students are between the ages of 25-44.
So while PhD students can be found at all ages, a majority fall within about a decade of age 30 during their graduate studies.
Age Differences by Field
While the early 30s is the average, PhD student age does vary across disciplines.
Here is a comparison of average PhD student age by broad field:
| Field | Average Age at PhD Completion |
|---|---|
| Humanities | 33.2 years |
| Social Sciences | 33.5 years |
| Life Sciences | 31.4 years |
| Physical Sciences | 29.7 years |
| Engineering | 29.6 years |
| Education | 33.6 years |
Some observations:
- PhD students in the humanities, social sciences, and education tend to be in their mid 30s on average.
- STEM field students (life sciences, physical sciences, engineering) are typically late 20s to early 30s.
- The range is about 3-4 years between the oldest (humanities) and youngest (engineering) average ages.
Field of study accounts for some, but not all, of the age variation among PhD students. Other factors are at play as well.
Other Factors Influencing PhD Student Age
Beyond just academic discipline, other elements that affect the typical age of a PhD student include:
Years of Prior Education
The number of years spent in undergrad and Master’s programs influences the age of embarking on a PhD.
- Students who go straight through from high school to bachelor’s to PhD will tend to be early to mid 20s.
- Those who work professionally between undergrad and graduate school enter PhD programs later, sometimes in their 30s or 40s.
Many PhD programs prefer some outside work experience, contributing to older average student ages.
Program Structure
- Traditional, full-time, residential PhD programs attract younger students who immerse themselves on campus.
- Part-time and online PhDs cater to working professionals who tend to be older, often 30s to 40s.
Younger students have more flexibility to devote themselves fully to on-campus studies. Older students often can only enroll part-time while working.
Sources of Financial Support
- Younger students rely more on university funding like teaching assistantships.
- Older students may have external funding or personal savings to pay tuition.
University funding opportunities tend to target recently graduated undergrads, contributing to lower PhD student ages.
Family Obligations
- Students with spouses, partners, and children to support tend to be older.
- Younger single students have fewer family responsibilities.
Balancing graduate school with raising a family is challenging, so students with families tend to be older.
Career Stage
- Some younger students pursue a PhD right after finishing undergrad.
- Others worked professionally for years before returning for a PhD mid-career.
Many fields encourage work experience before a PhD, leading to enrollment later in life.
Advantages of Older PhD Students
While being an older PhD student has its challenges, it also comes with some potential advantages:
- More work and life experience to draw upon for research and coursework.
- Greater maturity and focus on academic goals.
- Potentially more financial stability.
- Effective time management skills.
- Less distracted by social activities compared to younger students.
- Your age and experience may give you a unique perspective to contribute.
Though being an older PhD student is not uncommon, it helps to cultivate these advantages.
Challenges Facing Older Students
Pursuing a PhD later in life also comes with its difficulties:
- Balancing grad school with family obligations.
- Younger classmates with more energy.
- Being removed from undergraduate habits and rigor.
- Less access to university funding sources.
- Connecting socially with much younger peers.
- Learning new technologies and online tools.
- Juggling school with a career and financial needs.
But being aware of these hurdles means you can actively overcome them.
Tips for Older PhD Students
To make the most of your experience as an older PhD student:
- Draw confidence from your maturity, experience and focus.
- Find social connections with peers in a similar life stage.
- Seek funding targeted to nontraditional students.
- Set boundaries and schedule priorities.
- Capitalize on your unique perspective.
- Proactively master new technologies.
- Communicate challenges and needs with your program.
- Share your knowledge to guide younger students.
- Pace yourself, ask for help, and manage stress.
You have so much to contribute, so don’t let age be a barrier.
Conclusion
While the typical PhD student is in their early 30s, a wide range of ages is common in graduate programs. Factors like field of study, prior education, program structure, funding sources, family status, and career stage all contribute to when a student embarks on their doctoral journey. Older PhD students have strengths to leverage, as well as distinct challenges to manage. But age alone should not deter anyone from pursuing their academic and professional ambitions on their own path and timeline. With perseverance and support, PhD students of all ages can earn their doctorate degree.