According to data from the National Science Foundation, one in every four doctorates awarded in Missouri in 2009 were in the field of biosciences. Missouri universities awarded 868 doctorates in 2009, with 216 in biosciences.
In the nation, 49,528 research doctorates were awarded in 2009, the highest number in the history of U.S. higher education, but at a slower growth rate than in recent years. The largest field was biosciences which accounted for 11,392 research doctorates awarded in 2009.