Doctoral Degree Tier List 2024 (Doctorate Degrees RANKED)

Shane Hummus
16 Dec 202216:55
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video discusses the best and worst doctoral degrees based on factors like salary, demand, and job satisfaction. It ranks degrees from S-tier (best) to F-tier (worst), emphasizing entry-level demand over overall career demand. Degrees like medical doctor, optometrist, and certain dental specialists rank high, while others like art-related PhDs and acupuncturist fall to the lower tiers. The video also highlights the importance of research before pursuing a doctoral degree.

Takeaways
  • πŸ† The video ranks doctoral degrees from S-tier (best) to F-tier (worst), focusing on entry-level demand and salary.
  • 🏠 Architects are ranked C-tier, with a median salary of $80,000 and a faster-than-average job growth of 8%.
  • πŸ’‰ Acupuncturists face an F-tier ranking due to a poor debt-to-income ratio of 4.6:1.
  • 🎨 Art-related PhDs are considered F-tier, with a median salary of $46,000 and limited entry-level opportunities.
  • πŸ‘¨β€πŸ« Becoming a college professor is challenging, especially in saturated majors, but can be B-tier with the right planning and situation.
  • 🦴 Chiropractors have a D-tier ranking with a high debt-to-income ratio and difficulty in finding entry-level positions.
  • 🦷 Dentists are ranked A-tier, earning around $250,000 annually, but face high educational and startup debts.
  • πŸ‘©β€βš–οΈ Lawyers, with a B-tier ranking, can earn around $112,000 but face intense competition and long working hours.
  • πŸ‘¨β€βš•οΈ Medical doctors are S-tier, potentially earning over $250,000 with specialties, but the job is demanding and can lead to high rates of depression and suicide.
  • πŸ‘“ Optometrists are B-tier, with a median salary of $115,000 and a faster-than-average job growth of 10%.
  • 🦷 Dental specialists are A-tier, with high earning potential and a need for further specialization and likely starting their own practice.
  • πŸ’Š Pharmacists, despite having an A-tier ranking, face a stagnant job growth rate due to an oversupply of graduates from too many schools.
  • 🀸 Physical therapists, with a A-tier ranking, have high job satisfaction and a growing job market, but the salary may not be as high as expected for the level of education.
  • 🧠 Psychologists are C-tier, with a median salary of $80,000 and a faster-than-average job growth of 14%, but a high debt-to-income ratio.
  • πŸ”¬ Science-related PhDs can be B-tier, with opportunities improving at the doctoral level, but caution is advised to plan and research the field.
  • πŸ“œ Social science and humanity-related PhDs are D-tier, with limited job prospects and salary expectations at the bachelor's and master's levels.
  • πŸ’» STEM-related PhDs, specifically in technology, engineering, and mathematics, are A-tier, with high demand and six-figure salaries.
  • πŸ‘©β€πŸ« Education doctorates are C-tier, with high job security and low unemployment rates, but moderate pay and workload.
  • 🐾 Veterinarians are B-tier, with a median salary of $95,000 and a faster-than-average job growth of 18%.
  • πŸŽ“ PhD programs can be long and difficult, often taking over 13 years to complete and resulting in significant debt.
Q & A
  • What is the main focus of the video?

    -The video focuses on ranking doctoral level degrees from best to worst, specifically looking at the demand at the entry level for these careers.

  • How does the video rank the doctoral degrees?

    -The video ranks the doctoral degrees from S tier (best) to F tier (worst), considering factors like salary, demand, and ease of breaking into the field at the entry level.

  • What is the position of the Architecture degree in the ranking?

    -Architecture degree is ranked in the C tier, as it typically requires a Master's or doctoral degree for good jobs, with an average salary of about $80,000 and a faster-than-average job growth.

  • Why is the Acupuncturist degree ranked in the F tier?

    -Acupuncturist degree is ranked in the F tier due to its poor debt-to-income ratio of about 4.6 to 1, indicating high debt and low income relative to the investment in education.

  • What challenges does the video highlight for becoming a College Professor?

    -Becoming a College Professor is challenging due to the difficulty of entering the profession, especially with saturated majors, and the competition for available positions. However, with the right plan and situation, it can be a viable career path.

  • What is the main issue with the Chiropractor degree according to the video?

    -The main issue with the Chiropractor degree is its very high debt-to-income ratio of 4.9 to 1 and the difficulty in finding employment without starting one's own practice.

  • How does the video rank the Dentist degree?

    -The Dentist degree is ranked in the A tier. Despite the high cost of education and potential for significant debt, dentists can earn about $250,000 a year, and the job growth is faster than average.

  • What is the video's stance on the Lawyer degree?

    -The Lawyer degree is placed in the B tier. While it can be a great career for certain personality types, it's very competitive and challenging to break into, especially with the high volume of graduates each year.

  • Why does the video suggest that the Medical Doctor career is overrated?

    -The video suggests that the Medical Doctor career is overrated due to the high rates of depression and suicide among doctors, the tough job nature, and the misconceptions about the profession fueled by media and societal status symbols.

  • What is the ranking for the Optometrist degree and why?

    -The Optometrist degree is ranked in the B tier. It offers a good salary over $100,000, a growing job market at over 10%, and relatively good entry-level opportunities.

  • What advice does the video give for someone considering a doctoral degree?

    -The video advises thorough research before considering any doctoral degree, as doctorates are not suitable for 95% of people's situations. It emphasizes understanding the job market, required barriers to entry, and potential debt before making a decision.

Outlines
00:00
πŸŽ“ Doctoral Degrees Ranked: Best to Worst

The video discusses a tiered ranking of doctoral degrees, from best to worst, based on factors like salary, demand, and entry-level opportunities. The speaker has updated the list for the new year, focusing on entry-level demand rather than overall career demand. The list includes a range of professions, from architects to lawyers, and highlights the challenges and rewards associated with each degree.

05:02
πŸ₯ Medical and Legal Professions: Pros and Cons

This paragraph delves into the specifics of medical and legal professions, discussing the high salaries, job availability, and growth rates. It also addresses the challenges, such as the high cost of education, long working hours, and the emotional toll of these careers. The speaker provides a nuanced view, acknowledging the value of these professions while cautioning about the potential drawbacks.

10:03
πŸ§ͺ Science and Technology PhDs: High Demand and Earning Potential

The focus shifts to science and technology-related PhDs, emphasizing the high demand and earning potential in fields like machine learning and AI. The speaker notes that while a doctorate may not be necessary for all roles, it can provide an advantage in complex fields. The paragraph also touches on the importance of research and planning when considering a PhD in these areas.

15:03
πŸŽ“ The Reality of Pursuing a PhD: Time, Debt, and Alternatives

The video concludes with a discussion on the realities of pursuing a PhD, including the long duration, significant debt, and the potential for unfulfilling outcomes. The speaker shares a story of someone who left a PhD program for a more in-demand career in digital marketing, suggesting that graduate school can sometimes be akin to a pyramid scheme. The speaker encourages viewers to consider alternative paths if they find their chosen academic route unsatisfactory.

Mindmap
Keywords
πŸ’‘Doctoral Degrees
Doctoral degrees are the highest level of academic qualification one can achieve, typically requiring extensive research and the writing of a thesis or dissertation. In the context of the video, these degrees are ranked based on their desirability, considering factors such as salary, demand, and entry-level opportunities.
πŸ’‘Salary
Salary refers to the compensation paid to an individual for their work, typically on a monthly or annual basis. In the video, salary is a crucial factor in determining the ranking of doctoral degrees, with higher salaries indicating more desirable degrees.
πŸ’‘Demand
Demand in this context refers to the need for specific professions in the job market. The video emphasizes the importance of not just overall demand but especially the demand at the entry level for various doctoral degrees.
πŸ’‘Debt-to-Income Ratio
The debt-to-income ratio is a financial measure that indicates the proportion of an individual's income spent on paying off debt. In the video, this ratio is used to assess the financial feasibility of pursuing a doctoral degree, with higher ratios indicating a less favorable return on investment.
πŸ’‘Job Satisfaction
Job satisfaction refers to the contentment and fulfillment one experiences in their professional role. The video considers job satisfaction as a significant factor in the evaluation of doctoral degrees, with some professions offering higher satisfaction despite lower salaries.
πŸ’‘Barrier to Entry
A barrier to entry is a hurdle or obstacle that must be overcome to enter a particular profession or market. In the context of the video, certain doctoral degrees create a barrier by requiring advanced qualifications, which can limit competition and increase the value of the degree.
πŸ’‘PhD Programs
PhD programs are postgraduate academic programs leading to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, which involves significant research and academic contribution. The video discusses the length, difficulty, and financial burden of PhD programs, often deterring individuals from pursuing them.
πŸ’‘Career Outlook
Career outlook refers to the projected growth, job availability, and future prospects of a particular profession. In the video, a positive career outlook, indicated by factors such as job growth percentage and demand, is an important criterion for ranking doctoral degrees.
πŸ’‘Job Market Saturation
Job market saturation occurs when there are more qualified professionals seeking employment than there are available positions, leading to increased competition and potentially lower salaries. The video warns against pursuing degrees in fields where the job market is saturated, making it difficult to secure employment.
πŸ’‘Specialization
Specialization in the context of careers refers to furthering one's education and expertise in a specific area within a broader field. The video discusses how certain doctoral degrees can lead to specialization, which may offer higher salaries and unique job opportunities.
πŸ’‘Alternative Careers
Alternative careers refer to professions outside of traditional academic or professional paths. The video suggests considering alternative careers, like digital marketing, when the traditional path associated with a doctoral degree appears to be less desirable or financially viable.
Highlights

The video discusses the best and worst doctoral level degrees, ranking them from S tier (best) to F tier (worst).

The ranking focuses on demand at the entry level, not just overall career demand.

Architects are ranked C tier, with a median salary of $80,000 and a faster-than-average job growth of 8%.

Acupuncturists have a poor debt-to-income ratio of 4.6 to 1, placing them in the F tier.

Art-related PhDs are generally not worth it, with an F tier ranking due to low salaries and limited job opportunities.

College professors face a saturated job market, especially in certain majors, earning them a B tier with an asterisk for planning and situation.

Chiropractors have a very high debt-to-income ratio of 4.9 to 1 and are ranked D tier due to the difficulty of breaking into the field.

Dentists earn around $159,000 a year and have a faster-than-average job growth of 7%, but their high student debt places them in the A tier with caution.

Lawyers make $122,000 a year on average but face a highly competitive job market, ranking them B tier.

Medical doctors, despite high salaries and job demand, have high rates of depression and suicide due to the stress of the job, ranking them S tier with reservations.

Optometrists earn over $100,000 a year with a faster-than-average job growth of 10%, placing them in the A tier.

Dental specialists, such as orthodontists, have high earning potential but also require significant debt, ranking them A tier with considerations.

Pharmacists face a stagnant job growth rate but have seen increased demand recently, ranking them A tier with a note on the oversupply of graduates.

Physical therapists have a high job satisfaction rate and a relatively good entry-level outlook, ranking them A tier despite lower salaries.

Psychologists have a high debt-to-income ratio but are in demand with a faster-than-average job growth of 14%, ranking them C tier.

Science-related PhDs can be okay at the doctoral level, with average salaries over $100,000, ranking them B tier with caution.

Social science and humanity-related PhDs are ranked D tier due to limited job opportunities and lower salaries.

STEM-related PhDs, specifically in technology, engineering, and mathematics, are in high demand with high salaries, ranking them S tier.

Doctorates of Education are ranked C tier, with high school teachers having a low unemployment rate and guaranteed job opportunities.

Veterinarians earn around $95,000 a year with a faster-than-average job growth of 18%, ranking them B tier.

Many medical-related degrees are good due to the barrier to entry created by licensing requirements, protecting those already in the profession.

PhD programs can be long and difficult, with an average time to completion of over 13 years and high debt levels.

Transcripts
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