A data-driven analysis by field of study
A doctoral dissertation is a major piece of scholarly writing that represents the culmination of years of research. It is a significant undertaking, and it is natural to wonder how long it should be.
The average length of a doctoral dissertation in the United States is between 100 and 200 pages. However, the length of a dissertation can vary widely depending on the field of study. For example, dissertations in the humanities tend to be longer than dissertations in the sciences.
Here is a breakdown of the average dissertation length by field, based on data from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global:
| Field | Average dissertation length (pages) | |—|—|—|
| Humanities | 212 |
| Social Sciences | 182 |
| Physical Sciences & Engineering | 167 |
| Life Sciences | 161 |
It is important to note that these are just averages. There is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of how long a doctoral dissertation should be. The length of your dissertation will depend on a number of factors, including:
- The complexity of your research topic
- The amount of research you have done
- The writing style of your field of study
- The specific requirements of your dissertation chair and committee
Here are some examples of dissertation lengths from different fields:
- Humanities:
- English Literature: 225 pages
- History: 210 pages
- Philosophy: 200 pages
- Social Sciences:
- Psychology: 180 pages
- Sociology: 175 pages
- Economics: 170 pages
- Physical Sciences & Engineering:
- Physics: 165 pages
- Chemistry: 160 pages
- Computer Science: 155 pages
- Life Sciences:
- Biology: 160 pages
- Medicine: 155 pages
- Neuroscience: 150 pages
It is important to note that these are just examples. The length of your dissertation will vary depending on the specific factors mentioned above.
How to determine the right length for your dissertation
The best way to determine the right length for your dissertation is to talk to your dissertation chair and committee. They will be able to give you specific guidance based on your field of study and the requirements of your program.
Here are some general tips for determining the right length for your dissertation:
- Make sure that your dissertation is long enough to cover all of the necessary topics and to support your arguments.
- Don’t sacrifice quality for quantity. It is better to have a shorter dissertation that is well-written and well-argued than a longer dissertation that is poorly written or poorly argued.
- Be mindful of the requirements of your program. Some programs have specific page limits for dissertations.
If you are unsure about how long your dissertation should be, it is always better to err on the side of caution and write too much rather than too little. You can always cut your dissertation later if necessary.
