‘The Homecoming of American College Women: The Reversal of the College Gender Gap
In 2003, there were 1.35 females for every male who graduated from a four-year college and 1.30 females for every male undergraduate (U.S. Department of Education, 2005, Tables 176, 247).
The flip to more men than women attending college coincides with the end of WW 1 and especially the end of WW 2.
The gender imbalance of the 1950s and 1960s was driven by post war issues, including GI Bill veterans benefits – which funded college educations for mostly guys (and male enrollment peaked in 1947) and resulted in far more males going to college than women. Second, males and only males, were subject to the Vietnam War era draft – but could defer being drafted if pursuing a college education. This again biased enrollment to males.
Since 1980, women outnumber men in 4 year college education. They also account for about 90% of K-5 school teachers 75% of K-12 school teachers, and about 90% of all registered nurses. The change is enrollment gender ratios is very dramatic.
Chart source: Higher Education Enrollment Trends by Gender, 1970 to 2025 (educationalpolicy.org)
Surprisingly, during the early 20th century, the gender ratio was not so lopsided. By 1980, gender parity was reached and since then, for 43 years up to the present, more women than men attend college. This gender gap today exists in almost all countries of the OECD and is therefore, globally widespread.
My Mom, who was born in 1919, had earned both BA and MA degrees.
