PhD Student Outcomes

Launch into a High-Impact Career

Let’s be frank—the hardest part of earning a PhD just might be figuring out what to do with it. We know more than 70 percent of our incoming PhD students each year aren’t sure.

At Duke, we’re with you on that journey of discernment. We provide supportive tools and experiences to shine a light on career paths you haven’t yet considered. Through 1:1 job coaching and a unique three-year exploration program we call PhD Plus, our graduates calibrate their compass.

Whether that compass points toward tech startups or standbys, academic appointments, or medicine, the law or public policy, our graduates launch into careers that mean something to themselves—and the world.

Success in Numbers

Our PhD graduates go on to make important contributions across a range of opportunities. Click to get interactive with our data.

63%

work in industry, or governments and nonprofits

18%

at the university level in faculty or administrative roles

15%

on to post-doctoral training, including med or law school

Research Support for Your Doctoral Journey

The Duke Libraries offer dedicated support for doctoral students in engineering and science. Our specialist in these fields is here to guide you through the complexities of research, from accessing advanced resources to navigating the latest tools. Lean on their expertise to enhance your research journey at Duke.

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