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Average age of a phd student: when is it too late, published by steve tippins on june 16, 2022 june 16, 2022.

Last Updated on: 2nd February 2024, 02:36 am

In 2020, the average age of a graduate from a PhD program in the United States was 33. However, 6% of the graduates were over 45. 

When people ask what the average age of a PhD student is, many times they’re really asking, “Am I too old to get a PhD?” The answer is almost always no. Let’s explore some different scenarios. 

When Is It Too Late to Get a PhD?

As an academic career coach, I’ve been asked by more than a few people if it’s too late for them to get a PhD. Some of these people were even in their twenties, worried that working for two years after their undergraduate degree had inexorably barred them from the halls of academia. 

Others were past middle age, looking for a career change. In either case, the answer is ultimately no, it’s not too late to get a PhD . However, there are some important things to keep in mind if this is something you’re considering.

Getting a PhD for Your Career

Let’s say you want to get a PhD to pursue a career in academia or elsewhere. You enter a PhD program at 25 or even 30, the average PhD duration takes six to eight years. That means you will finish when you are around 30 to 37. The normal retirement age to get Social Security in the United States is 67, so that’s at least 30 years ahead of you – lots of time for your career. If you look around academia, there’s a lot of people older than 67.

You have a chance for a very long career, even if you’re 42 and finish your PhD at 50. That’s still over 15 years before retirement age. These days, very few people stay at a job for 15 years. Rest assured that you have ample opportunity to have a meaningful career.

Over 50% of doctoral candidates don’t finish their dissertations.

Student Loan Debt Considerations

If you’re 61 and taking loans out, it will be a while before you pay those off. Debt is something to think about before getting a PhD. If you can get into a PhD program that pays your tuition or even provides you a stipend, you may be able to graduate with a much smaller student loan debt. That assistance could allow you to consider a PhD later in life. 

What Is the Minimum Age for Getting a PhD?

To get a PhD, you have to have graduated from undergraduate school. From there, some people can go right into a PhD program. If you graduate at the traditional age of 22, you’d be getting your PhD somewhere around age 25 at a minimum.

There are stories about people who graduate from high school at 12 and college at 16. They could theoretically get their PhD at 19 or 20. However, people like this are quite rare.

Can You Get a PhD by Age 25?

It is possible to get a PhD by age 25, particularly if you graduate from college at 21 or 22. If it takes three or four years to get a PhD, you could graduate by 25.

What Is The Best Age to Get a PhD?

The best age to get a PhD is three years ago. The second best time is now. In reality, the best age to get a PhD is whenever you are able to complete it. The earlier you finish your PhD, the more of a life and career you’ll have with it , but there is no optimal age.

Does Having a Master’s Shorten the Time it Takes to Get a PhD?

Having a Master’s can shorten the time it takes to get a PhD , depending on your discipline. If PhD programs in your discipline are structured such that they assume you have a Master’s before you enter, then yes, you’re going to finish a PhD faster. 

If you enter without a Master’s, you may have to get the Master’s first to be allowed in the PhD program. Otherwise, you may have to take some remedial coursework. If your discipline is not set up in that manner, having a Master’s may not allow you to move faster.

Final Thoughts

As society ages and with employers having problems finding eligible workers, the problem of ageism will become less severe. Getting a PhD at any age is going to be a viable option. If you are interested in a PhD and it’s something you have a burning desire to do, don’t let age stop you. 

Are you considering getting your PhD? We’re here to help. Check out our Dissertation Coaching and Academic Career Coaching services.

Steve Tippins

Steve Tippins, PhD, has thrived in academia for over thirty years. He continues to love teaching in addition to coaching recent PhD graduates as well as students writing their dissertations. Learn more about his dissertation coaching and career coaching services. Book a Free Consultation with Steve Tippins

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Older PhDs student experiences – should you pursue a PhD later in life?

In today’s world, it’s not uncommon for individuals to change careers or pursue higher education later on in life.

For those considering a PhD program at an older age, there may be some hesitations and concerns about the experience.

• Will it be worth it?
• How difficult is it to balance academic responsibilities with other commitments such as family and work?
• What are the experiences of older PhD candidates?
• And many more questions…

In this article, we will explore the unique challenges and rewards of pursuing a PhD later in life, and share the insights and experiences of older PhD candidates.

Whether you’re considering a career change or simply seeking personal growth, read on to discover if pursuing a PhD is right for you.

Two specific case studies:

This case study explores the experiences of two mature PhD students, who despite their age, successfully navigated through their doctoral programs.

These students come from diverse backgrounds, having pursued their PhDs in Marketing and Computer Engineering. Their stories highlight the importance of determination, support systems, and practical experiences in achieving their academic goals.

Case 1: Marketing PhD Student at 48

Background:.

This student began their PhD journey at the age of 43, having accumulated 15 years of corporate experience, 5 years of teaching, and some consulting work. They decided to pursue a PhD after talking with their advisor during their master’s program.

Challenges:

One of the main challenges faced by this student was knowing when to stop working and take breaks. Managing workload and maintaining mental health were essential aspects of their PhD journey.

Key Factors for Success:

The student emphasized the importance of having a good advisor and a support network. Their prior experience in the corporate world helped them form interesting and relevant research questions. This also made them more relatable to students when teaching.

The student is now in the final stages of their PhD and has been offered a tenure-track assistant professor position at a university in New York.

Case 2: Computer Engineering PhD Student at 32

This student completed their PhD at the age of 32, having taken five years off after their master’s to work in the aerospace industry. They had always planned on getting a PhD and built significant experience in their field during their time off.

Working full-time while pursuing a PhD consumed most of their time, making it difficult to balance work, studies, and personal life. They acknowledged that having children would have added another layer of complexity to their situation.

The student’s success can be attributed to a fantastic advisor, a passionate research topic, and the ability to work from home. Their company’s financial support for their PhD program played a significant role in their decision to continue working full-time.

Having completed their PhD in three years, the student now plans to continue climbing the technical ladder within their company and aims to achieve a Technical Fellowship.

The experiences of these mature PhD students demonstrate the importance of determination, support systems, and real-world experience in successfully completing a doctoral program. Both students managed to overcome challenges and leverage their unique backgrounds to achieve their academic and professional goals.

If you want to know more about how to do a PhD at an older age you can check out my other articles:

• What is the PhD student average age? Too late for your doctorate?
• What is the average masters students age? Should you return to graduate school?
• Typical Graduate Student Age [Data for Average Age]
• Balancing PhD and family life – tips for balancing a busy life

Life Experience Helps with a doctoral degree 

Life experience can be a valuable asset when pursuing a PhD. The journey towards obtaining a doctoral degree can often be challenging and demanding, requiring dedication, hard work, and resilience.

Other benefits can include:

Iindividuals with life experience may have an advantage as they already possess a certain level of maturity, self-discipline, and time-management skills.

Life experience can bring a unique perspective and insight to research, as individuals may draw from their personal experiences to inform their research questions and design.

Moreover, being part of a cohort with diverse backgrounds and experiences can also enrich the doctoral experience, leading to greater learning and growth as a researcher.

You’re never too old to become a PhD student

Age is just a number, and this is especially true when it comes to academic pursuits. It is never too late to do a PhD, as academia welcomes learners of all ages. Long gone are the days when PhD candidates had to be in their early 20s to pursue this degree.

Nowadays, more and more people in their 30s or 40s are pursuing doctoral degrees, and many have even found great success after graduation.

Here are some potential advantages and drawbacks of doing a PhD later in life:

Advantages:

• Greater maturity: You have a better understanding of what you want to do and can focus on your goals.
• Real-world experience: You have a better understanding of real-world problems and can work on more relevant research.
• Stronger mental health: Having other commitments in your life can help you maintain a better work-life balance and prevent you from dwelling on research-related stress.
• Financial resources: You may have more financial resources at your disposal, which can be helpful during your PhD journey.
• Less need for validation: You’re likely pursuing the degree for genuine reasons rather than seeking status or validation.
• Better relationships with professors: You may find it easier to connect with your professors as peers and friends.
• Research relevance: Your research may be more relevant to managers because you’ve experienced management roles.
• Time constraints: You may not have as much time to enjoy the benefits of your PhD, especially if you plan to retire in your 60s.
• Additional life commitments: You may have more personal responsibilities, such as children, a spouse, or aging parents, which can make it more challenging to balance your PhD work.
• Potential need for relocation: You may have to move around for job opportunities, which could be difficult if you have a family or other commitments.
• Opportunity cost: Pursuing a PhD at this stage in life may come at the expense of other career opportunities or financial gains.
• Difficulty in obtaining tenure: You may not obtain tenure until your late 50s, which may be a drawback for some individuals.
• Not a financially sound decision: If you’re pursuing a PhD to make more money, the return on investment may not be as high as you expect.

Older PhD candidates often have a wealth of experience and knowledge that can only enhance their research and academic contributions.

So if you are considering pursuing a postgraduate degree, don’t let your age hold you back. It’s never too old to follow your academic dreams!

If you want to know more about how doing a PhD later in life you can check out my other articles:

Who is the oldest person to do a PhD? 

The oldest person to earn a PhD was a 95-year-old woman named Ingeborg Rapoport.

She was a Jewish-German physician who began her PhD studies in the 1930s but was unable to complete them due to the Nazi regime.

After a successful medical career, she decided to resume her studies in 2008 at the age of 94 at the University of Hamburg in Germany.

Her doctoral thesis focused on diphtheria and included research conducted in the 1930s, making her research especially significant.

In 2015, Rapoport successfully defended her thesis and earned her doctorate, becoming the oldest person in history to do so.

Her achievement received widespread recognition and admiration, and she demonstrated that age is just a number when it comes to academic achievement.

Wrapping up – doing a PhD later in life

In this article, we explore the unique challenges and rewards of pursuing a PhD later in life, drawing from the experiences of older PhD candidates.

Two case studies showcase the importance of determination, support systems, and practical experiences in successfully completing a doctoral program.

Life experience offers numerous benefits for older PhD students, such as a broader perspective, problem-solving skills, transferable skills, time management, an established professional network, emotional resilience, enhanced credibility, motivation and purpose, adaptability, and mentorship opportunities.

Age should not be a barrier to pursuing a PhD, as older candidates often bring valuable real-world experience and knowledge to their research.

Key advantages of pursuing a PhD in your 40s include greater maturity, real-world experience, stronger mental health, financial resources, less need for validation, better relationships with professors, and research relevance.

Drawbacks may include time constraints, additional life commitments, potential need for relocation, opportunity cost, difficulty in obtaining tenure, and lower return on investment.

The oldest person to earn a PhD was 95-year-old Ingeborg Rapoport, exemplifying that it’s never too late to follow your academic dreams.

Dr Andrew Stapleton has a Masters and PhD in Chemistry from the UK and Australia. He has many years of research experience and has worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow and Associate at a number of Universities. Although having secured funding for his own research, he left academia to help others with his YouTube channel all about the inner workings of academia and how to make it work for you.

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Am I Too Old to Get a Ph.D.?

Earning a Ph.D. demands a lot of time and effort. If you’re thinking about going back to school to earn your doctorate degree, you should consider just how much of your life it will take. Can you go back to school later and earn a Ph.D.?

Am I too old to get a Ph.D.? No. You’re never too old to learn and earn a degree. A Ph.D. can take anywhere from six to twelve years to earn, depending on your area of study and if you need to earn a bachelor’s degree. You might decide you’re too old to begin even if you’re still young.

This article will explain how to get a Ph.D. It will also discuss all the reasons you should and shouldn’t earn a Ph.D., and how old is too old to start the process of earning one.

How to Get a PhD

Earning a doctorate degree can take as little as six years and as long as 12 years. How long it will take depends on your area of study and whether you’re a full-time or part-time student. Here are the steps you need to take to earn this degree.

• Earn a bachelor’s degree. This will take about four years.
• Take entrance exams for graduate school. This will include the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) and possibly some other exams, depending on your state and school.
• Apply to graduate school for either a master’s degree or Ph.D. You might not need a master’s degree to begin pursuing your Ph.D. This will depend on your university’s requirements and what you’re studying. Ph.D. applications often require undergraduate and graduate transcripts, GRE/GMAT scores, CV or resume, statement of purpose, and letters of recommendation.
• Complete Ph.D. coursework. Your first few years will feel like undergraduate studies but with more complex topics. A master’s degree might allow you to skip this coursework.
• Choose your dissertation topic and start researching. This is what a majority of your Ph.D. work is going toward.
• Defend and publish your dissertation. You will have to defend your research and findings to a board of professors. You must do this to earn your degree. You’ll be awarded your Ph.D. after successfully defending your dissertation.

Why Should I Earn a Ph.D.?

What are your reasons for possibly pursuing a doctorate degree?

Here are some reasons why you should.

You Love Your Subject

If you know exactly what you want to study and you love the topic, a Ph.D. is probably for you. You will spend many hours learning about your chosen subject and researching for your dissertation. Many Ph.D. students teach university courses part-time, so when you aren’t researching, you’ll most likely be teaching about that subject.

A Ph.D. program can take up to ten years, which is ten years of devotion to one subject. If you can see yourself happily doing this, then you should probably do it.

You Want a Top-Level Job

A doctorate degree is the highest degree you can achieve. If you have one, that means you’re the professional in the subject, so you’ll be qualified for positions at the top. 

A top-level position could mean many things: a great salary, respect from co-workers, or a direct impact on decisions that are made within the company or the entire industry. You’ll have some authority in your position because very few people earn a Ph.D.

You Enjoy Education

Only those who enjoy spending their time researching and learning will be able to complete their Ph.D. program. If you enjoyed school as a kid, enjoyed your university classes, and even enjoyed obtaining a master’s degree, then the process of earning a Ph.D. will be no different. 

You Want to Improve Yourself

You might think this isn’t a valid reason, but it is. Earning a Ph.D. is a very personal endeavor; it doesn’t enrich anyone’s life but yours. If you want to become a better researcher, problem-solver, or critical thinker, earn a Ph.D. 

After countless hours of researching, you’ll learn how to solve problems in new ways, become a master in your field, and you might even improve basic skills like communicating and focusing, both of which are important in any career.

Why Should I Not Earn a Ph.D.?

A quick search online will reveal that many people advocate against earning a Ph.D., especially if you’re going to be an older student. There are many valid concerns about choosing to pursue it later in life that should be considered.

It Takes More Time Than You Think

The biggest cautionary tale online is how long it takes to earn the degree. If a student goes straight from high school to university, then pursues their doctorate degree, they won’t get that degree until they’re in their thirties. Everyone else their age will most likely be established in a career with a steady paycheck, and might even be moving their way up in the company.

As an older student, consider your timeline. Do you need to earn a bachelor’s degree? After being awarded a Ph.D., how many working years will you have left? By the time you earn your degree, your friends and co-workers might already be considering retiring. 

Your field might require a longer time studying, too. Studies show that students in the humanities and social sciences often require more than ten years to complete their degree.

It’s Expensive and Hard to Find Jobs

Many Ph.D. students must go into debt to earn their degrees. On top of that worry, many students struggle financially while earning their degree, and sometimes even afterward when they’re looking for a steady teaching job. Some Ph.D. graduates have to receive food stamps because of debt and unstable work.

Another downside is that colleges don’t tenure professors like they used to. They would rather have part-time professors that don’t receive health benefits or retirement plans. Finding a job can be challenging because colleges only want part-time professors, and jobs outside of colleges are next to nonexistent in some fields like the humanities and sciences.

It’s Time Away From Family

If you have children or grandchildren, a spouse or partner, or parents that require care, earning a Ph.D. will be difficult. You will have to spend many hours studying and researching. Plus, you will probably also have a teaching job to keep up with, as well.

Am I Too Old?

Now that you have looked at what you have to do to earn the degree and all the reasons you should or shouldn’t, you have to ask the question: am I too old?

No, you’re not too old. Universities won’t turn you down because of your age.

The answer is up to you, though, because it’s a personal question that will vary from person to person. Do you still have the energy to put in the work? Do you have the time to spend ten years studying, and time to work enough to see decent pay afterward, so all the hard work will be worth it? You can be in your thirties and decide you’re too old while someone in their fifties decides it’s worth the effort. 

Obtaining a Ph.D. is a long and difficult journey. You need to know what you want to study from the beginning and be certain that you will see it to the end. If you love to learn and want to dedicate your life to a certain subject, then earning a doctorate degree might be the right choice for you.

• CBS News: 12 reasons not to get a PhD
• Find A PhD: Why do a PhD?
• LinkedIn: In your 40s and considering a PhD? Here is the lowdown…
• LinkedIn: Should I do a PhD? Top 5 reasons a PhD is a Good Idea
• Northcentral University: How Do You Get a Doctorate Degree?
• Northeastern University: Why Earn a Professional Doctoral Degree?
• Study.com: What Are the Steps and Requirements to Get a PhD?
• The Chronicle of Higher Education: In Humanities, 10 Years May Not Be Enough to Get a Ph.D.
• The Chronicle of Higher Education: The Ph.D. Now Comes With Food Stamps
• Thought Co.: Is Midlife too Late for Graduate School?

Hey there, my name is Anja, I’ve seen and supported my mom’s incredible transformation in her fifties. Seeing how my mom “awakened” and took full control over her life really impressed me. I got inspired and started dreaming about how we could inspire more people, especially women, to open up and create a second life for themselves. That’s how the idea of aginggreatly.com came to life…

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You’ve Decided to Pursue a PhD in Your 40s – Now, What?

First, I want to say congratulations on deciding to pursue a PhD in your 40s. Now that the big decision is made, let’s move to some less daunting activities that’ll get you sitting in your first classroom in a few months. ( Please note that the steps in this post are mainly directed toward pursuing a traditional Ph.D. However, these steps should also apply to DBA and Executive PhDs. ).

I classify these as early activities and application activities.  

Early Decisions to Pursue a PhD

The early activities involve some early decisions you must make. These decisions include; the location of the PhD program, the PhD concentration, and what to study. Once you have answers to these questions, the rest of the application process becomes a little more straightforward.

#1 Location:

The general location where you desire to do your pursue a PhD should be decided. For the most part, if you’re pursuing a PhD in your 40s, there’s a chance you have settled in a particular location. This means that you prefer to do a PhD near or around that location. On the other hand, you may be looking for a fresh start in life and have the flexibility to choose where you want to do it. In that case, you have many more location options: North, South, West, or East.

#2 Schools:

After you’ve decided on the general location, it’s time to hone in on the school or schools. If possible, try not to make that decision blindly. In other words, try and find someone who might tell you one or two things about the schools, the culture especially. Given that pursue a PhD education is more than just schooling, it’s important that you understand the culture of the people you’ll be working very closely with for 4 years. Some PhD programs are collegial. Others are not and could be stressful. If you’re in your 40s and 50s and seeking your pursue a PhD, you probably want to avoid PhD programs with non-collegial cultures.

#3 PhD Concentration:

There are many PhD concentrations in business schools. The one you select should complement your current skills or experiences. For example, if you are a technologist, you might consider pursue a PhD concentration in information systems. You might consider management science or operations research if you are a math or statistics professional. See our post on concentrations.

Application Activities for a PhD in your 40s’

Now Let’s look at some of the requirements for gaining admission to a Ph.D. program. PhD program requirements include taking a GRE/GMAT, identifying and sending your transcripts (bachelors and masters), writing your personal statement, securing some good recommendation letters, etc. Figure 1 is a visual of those steps. Steps 1 to 5 can take about 6 months to 1 year. We address GRE/GMAT and transcripts in this post.

#1 GRE/GMAT

If you’ve taken a GRE/GMAT within the last 5 years, then you can skip this step. If you have not, you should start studying for the GMAT or GRE exam. Most universities in the US accept either of these. However, if you have a clearer idea of the schools you’ll like to apply to, you should find out their preference. Usually, this information is posted on their Ph.D. information website.

#2 Get ready to send your transcripts:

If you’re a domestic student, the process of sending your transcripts to your schools of interest usually takes a few simple steps. Most universities have an automated process that allows former students to log in and order and sends their transcripts to schools for a small fee.

The process is a lot more involved if you’re an international student. International transcripts sometimes need to be evaluated and translated. There are college credential evaluation services that could evaluate your transcripts for a fee. This process can take a longer time to complete than you initially anticipated. So, plan accordingly. You could also call the graduate office of your schools of interest and ask if they could recommend an evaluation service or if they do the transcript evaluation themselves. Some schools do. So, it’s worth a try.

See more on writing your personal statement and securing some good recommendation letters .

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