I couldn't find exact numbers, but extrapolating from the one that I did find [1], it seems plausible that the # of PhD/Masters students starting businesses has stayed flat while the actual # of degrees awarded has doubled (US population in that time has only increased by ~30%).
To me this indicates that while there are increased barriers to starting a business, the trend is more reflective of a mix shift in the types of people who get higher degrees.
To me this indicates that while there are increased barriers to starting a business, the trend is more reflective of a mix shift in the types of people who get higher degrees.
[1] https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2014/12/08/number-phds-a...