Photo credit: hechingerreport.org
A notable change is occurring across college campuses: the enrollment numbers reveal that women now significantly outnumber men.
Currently, women make up about 60 percent of the student body, compared to 40 percent for men, and this trend is becoming increasingly pronounced. Additionally, men who do enroll are more likely to leave before completing their degrees.
This disparity can be traced to various factors. In elementary and middle schools, boys often receive lower grades than girls, and they are more frequently subjected to disciplinary measures or held back a grade. As a result, fewer boys graduate from high school. Moreover, a larger portion of men pursue careers in skilled trades rather than opting for college education.
The implications of this gender imbalance are significant, prompting colleges and universities to adjust their admissions processes to maintain a more balanced gender composition.
This ongoing shift poses challenges for the financial stability of men and has broader implications for the economy as a whole.
We will hear insights from both male and female students about their experiences and perspectives, as well as from educational institutions about their efforts to address this imbalance.
Listen to the complete series
TRANSCRIPT
[Kirk] This is College Uncovered. I’m Kirk Carapezza …
[Jon] …and I’m Jon Marcus.
[sound of referee] Climbers ready? Contestants ready? One, two, go!
[Jon] This audio captures a unique extracurricular activity at the University of Montana: competitors adeptly navigating a fallen tree and skillfully sawing it.
[sound of club member] We aim to preserve the legacy of traditional logging sports by engaging new generations in activities reminiscent of past practices, employing cross-cut saws once used for felling giant redwoods.
[Jon] While this may seem antiquated, the university’s Woodsmen team has a new and vital purpose—enhancing forestry programs as part of their strategy to attract a pivotal demographic of students.
[Kelly Nolin] We are taking steps to help men discover their community and find a welcoming environment.
[Jon] Kelly Nolin is the director of admissions at the University of Montana.
[Kelly Nolin] Our current gender distribution reflects approximately 42 percent male students to 56 percent female. This gap continues to widen and raises several concerns for us. Hence, we are exploring avenues to recruit more male students.
[Jon] Nolin is addressing a significant issue that often goes overlooked: the growing disparity in college attendance rates between men and women.
At the national level, women now account for around 60 percent of college students. This gap is expanding, with a greater number of high school graduates choosing to pursue higher education compared to their male counterparts, who are also more prone to dropping out of college.
We’ll discuss how this evolving landscape may be advantageous for male students in the admissions process and explore its effects on social dynamics, including dating on campuses—a critical aspect of college life for many.
Amber Turner, a freshman at Nova Southeastern University in South Florida, shared her perspective: the gender ratio is skewed, leading to men having an abundance of choices while women often find the pool of options unsatisfactory. Though Turner currently has a boyfriend, she acknowledges her friends struggle with the limited dating prospects.
[Jon] The shrinking number of men in college isn’t just a challenge for institutions trying to maintain enrollment; it also has profound implications for men’s financial futures and broader economic growth.
This is College Uncovered, a collaborative effort of GBH News and The Hechinger Report—an informative podcast digging deeper into the realities of college life. I’m Jon Marcus from The Hechinger Report …
[Kirk] …and I’m Kirk Carapezza with GBH. Colleges prefer you remain unaware of their inner workings, so we’re here to shed light on them.
Today’s episode delves into the topic of ‘The Missing Men.’
[Kirk] In this season, we’ve discussed the demographic cliff—the impending decline in the adolescent population and its consequences for educational institutions and the economy.
One pertinent issue related to this trend is that, for the first time, the number of college-educated women in the workforce surpasses that of men, largely due to higher college enrollment rates among women.
Several factors contribute to this situation. Boys typically achieve lower grades than girls at early educational levels and are more susceptible to disciplinary actions or academic setbacks. Many young men harbor doubts about their ability to succeed in higher education.
[Jon] We’ve spoken with numerous high school boys about these concerns.
[Abdukadir Abdullahi] Distractions can impede male students from achieving their best academic performance; often, boys play the role of class clowns and lose focus.
[Jon] Abdulkadir, son of a single father, reflects a common mindset among some young men who struggle to envision a college experience for themselves, similar to Pedro Hidalgo, who aspired to attend college but doubted his self-worth.
[Pedro Hidalgo] College was my goal, but I lacked the confidence to feel that I could accomplish it.
[Jon] A substantial number of men gravitate toward vocational training, perceiving it as a more efficient and less costly route compared to lengthy college programs. Abdulkadir had initially planned to pursue a plumbing career directly after high school.
[Kirk] When you doubted your college potential, what career were you eyeing instead? Were you thinking of immediate work or the military, or did you have another option?
[Abdukadir Abdullahi] I was considering plumbing—an occupation where you need some schooling, but it offers decent pay.
[Kirk] Ultimately, Abdulkadir and several peers did enroll in college, but many high school boys feel compelled to join the workforce immediately, especially those from financially strained families.
Debrin Adon, another senior, shared how his background mirrored this trend. His parents immigrated from the Dominican Republic.
[Debrin Adon] I can’t speak for all young men, but my peers and I are often focused on immediate financial gains, emphasizing the necessity of earning their paychecks.
[Kirk] As a result, many enter the workforce straight after high school, often leading to a cycle where they prioritize jobs over education, particularly if they’re the breadwinners for their families.
Kellie Becker, a college counselor for Abdulkadir’s high school, notes this trend:
[Kellie Becker] Many young men take up jobs to support their families. They feel the weight of responsibility to provide financially, which can lead them to prioritize earning over education.
These factors paint a clear picture of a decade-long shift: half a century ago, men dominated college ranks. Over time, efforts to boost women’s higher education have been prevalent, yet similar initiatives targeting men have been historically lacking. Notably, women often enter degree-requiring professions like education and social work, while young men tend to pursue trades. Additionally, the enrollment of Black men has dropped sharply since the pandemic, with only 25 percent now attending historically Black colleges.
[Michael Sinclair] Financial considerations are paramount. Many young men seek immediate income opportunities rather than long-term investments in education.
[Kirk] Sinclair, an associate professor at Morgan State University, elaborates on the implications of this trend:
[Michael Sinclair] The absence of visible role models, such as Black men on college campuses, discourages young men from considering higher education as a viable path for themselves.
The gender imbalance creates a distinct divide in many educational settings.
[Jon] I visited the University of Vermont, which currently has a 64 percent female student body. A female student, Melinda Wetzel, described her experiences there.
[Melinda Wetzel] In my small class, there’s only one male student. Whether in research or around the campus, I often notice a predominance of women.
[Jon] Even in unexpected areas, this trend persists.
[Melinda Wetzel] At the gym, you’d typically expect a male crowd, but it’s predominantly women; I pointed this out to a friend and found it refreshing.
[Jon] Some male students are also indifferent to the changing gender dynamics.
[Pete Azan] In our dental medicine class, there are significantly more women than men—83 females against only 30 males. We were surprised on the first day.
[Jon] While some men appreciate the gender ratio, there exists an unrecognized advantage for men in this shifting landscape:
[Kirk] The tilt toward a gender imbalance has led many universities to adjust their admissions processes to ensure male enrollment.
Sourav Guha, a former admissions officer, observed this evolving trend. He currently serves as executive director of the Consortium on Higher Achievement and Success.
[Sourav Guha] Many high school girls possessed credentials comparable or superior to their male peers but ended up waitlisted or rejected in favor of male applicants with less impressive backgrounds.
[Kirk] Hence, men may now possess better odds of acceptance than women at some institutions.
[Jon] This situation has indeed been verified. Numerous prestigious universities accept a higher percentage of male applicants than female candidates, such as Boston University, Vanderbilt, and the University of Miami.
[Kirk] This approach may temporarily stabilize gender ratios at these institutions, but it doesn’t address the root problem, and experts warn of long-term consequences.
[Jon] Richard Reeves, who has investigated this phenomenon, founded the American Institute for Boys and Men to further explore and resolve this issue.
[Richard Reeves] Many organizations effectively raise awareness for challenges faced by women and girls, which is commendable; however, there’s been a lack of similar efforts focusing on declining male enrollment in colleges.
[Jon] Reeves stresses the importance of this situation for everyone involved.
[Richard Reeves] We’re sidelining an abundance of male talent due to an educational structure that does not adequately serve men. This not only hinders their economic potential, but it also adversely impacts the women they might partner with in the future, leading to broader repercussions for all of society.
Colleges are responding proactively to this trend. The University of Vermont launched an entrepreneurship competition targeting high school students, aiming to draw in more male participants, with the top prize being a full-tuition scholarship.
Institutions are leveraging athletic programs to attract male students as well.
Despite the increased number of women achieving degrees, the financial benefits do not always equate to greater earnings, as many women are still concentrated in lower-paying professions.
Sourav Guha sheds light on this disparity:
[Sourav Guha] The most common disciplines for women remain nursing and education, while men dominate the higher-paying fields like software development.
[Kirk] Nevertheless, Richard Reeves highlights the harsh reality faced by men without degrees:
[Richard Reeves] The assumption that men can secure stable, well-paying jobs without a degree is increasingly unfounded.
Colleges are aggressively addressing this issue, particularly as they navigate the demographic cliff that approaches on the horizon.
[Jon] Richard Reeves is also concerned about the political climate influencing male decision-making regarding higher education.
[Kirk] The perception that colleges are politically biased against men contributes to the enrollment decline, particularly among conservative male students from rural backgrounds.
[Richard Reeves] Concerns about higher education being viewed as liberal and hostile to traditional values resonate with some men, particularly those less inclined to pursue further education.
[Jon] Institutions are acutely aware of these sentiments. Kelly Nolin, the admissions director at the University of Montana, outlined the school’s strategic initiatives to attract male students, including hosting conservative speakers.
[Charlie Kirk] I’m here to argue why I believe DEI practices are misguided…
[Kelly Nolin] Regardless of differing opinions, inviting diverse perspectives illustrates our commitment to inclusive dialogue and endeavors to dismantle stereotypes surrounding our institution.
[Jon] The university is enhancing its appeal to men through focus groups feedback, promoting interests like forestry and outdoor activities to showcase its environmental attractions.
[Kelly Nolin] We learned that prospective male students value showcasing our location, with outdoor pursuits like fly-fishing and skiing becoming integral to our campus appeal.
[Kirk] During our visit to the stunning University of Montana campus, I noted how the institution is leveraging its natural surroundings.
[Kelly Nolin] We recently promoted a wild sustenance class focused on hunting, which engages students while emphasizing the conservation aspect—appealing to a broad demographic, including various political viewpoints.
[Kirk] Interestingly, this outreach had unforeseen results.
[Kelly Nolin] One prospective student from Virginia mentioned they were drawn to Montana searching for a place with “rugged men.”
[Kirk] It’s worth noting that this potential student was actually a woman.
[Jon] This situation is taken very seriously by colleges; with a looming decline in student numbers, every enrollment counts.
This is College Uncovered. I’m Jon Marcus from The Hechinger Report.
[Kirk] And I’m Kirk Carapezza from GBH. The thoughtful production of this episode involved contributions from various talent and teams.
[Jon] If you want to examine acceptance rates between male and female applicants at any institution, we’ve attached a link in the show notes for your convenience.
[Kirk] Our appreciation goes to our collaborators at Vermont Public and reporters across various regions. Additionally, the sounds from the Woodsmen Club originated from the University of Montana student newspaper.
This episode experienced refinement and editing thanks to the hard work of various team members, ensuring quality production.
[Kirk] College Uncovered is supported by the Lumina Foundation and collaboratively produced by GBH News and The Hechinger Report, distributed through PRX.
Thank you for listening.
For further information regarding the topics discussed:
To find acceptance rates for male versus female applicants at any college or university, go here, input the institution’s name, and review the ADMISSIONS section.
Colleges and universities are actively seeking ways to reverse the decline in male student enrollment.
Source
hechingerreport.org