The gap is widening. Today, a whopping 60% of undergrad students enrolled in institutions of traditional higher education identify as female.[1]
Yet, women represent roughly 50% of the US population, and have so for decades.[2]
With only 40% (and falling) of current college students now identifying as male, it begs some questions…
Why are women outnumbering men in college? … and why are men not enrolling at the levels they have in the past?
Well, the answer to these questions may be twofold.
First, since the introduction of Title IX in the early 1970’s, far more women have enrolled in and graduated from college. In fact, in 1970, just 12% of women had a bachelor’s degree, compared to 20% of men.
But since Title IX, the tables have turned.
As of 2020, the percentage of women holding a bachelor’s degree leapt to 41%, representing a 241% increase since prior to Title IX; while during this same time frame, the percentage of males earning a bachelor’s degree grew by just 50%.[3]
Today, less than one out of every three men hold a bachelor’s degree.
Now, Title IX may explain at least some of the growth in female enrollment and graduation, which surely has been a great success, but it doesn’t explain the decline in male college enrollment or graduation.
So, what does explain it?
Well, Conversion Media Group, a national leader in higher-ed enrollment initiatives will explain. See, we’re in continual email, text and phone contact with thousands of prospective students, students of all genders and ages, and they’ve shared with us what they’re looking for in a post high-school education.
In just a moment, we’ll show you how your enrollment department can speak directly with them too (only the prospective students who are interested in your school or programs, however).
But before we introduce them to you, let’s discuss why those who identify as men aren’t enrolling in college at the same levels they used to… and we’ll get to the point, quickly.
According to The Times Delphic, from Drake University, “Despite best efforts by two-year and four-year institutions, more and more men have chosen not to go to college in recent years, citing a variety of socioeconomic factors.
“This decision is being reflected in places like trade schools, where, according to the Hechinger Report, enrollment has seen an 11.5% increase between spring 2021 and spring 2022.
“Construction schools have seen an even bigger increase, with enrollment rising 19.3% in the same time frame.
“One reason for the newfound popularity in the trade fields stems from the fact that men have a higher wage premium at age18 than women.
“Many men are choosing the shorter path to the workforce over the lengthier, costlier route that comes along with a college education.”[4]
Now, the untold thousands of conversations we have with prospective students shows the Times Delphic story to be dead on. More men want a job as quick as possible and are forgoing traditional college for career training.
But this doesn’t mean you can’t attract males to your traditional college, or females to your career-based school.
Like we said earlier, we are in continual contact with thousands of prospective students of all genders and ages. While the Times Delphic story does ring true, we’ve found that people across all genders are looking for a higher education…
Both traditionally, and vocationally.
And we know this because we speak with them.
Now, here’s how you can speak with them too:
Contact us at 1-800-419-3201. Our enrollment experts will quickly go over what your goals are, what programs you offer, and what you’re looking to accomplish as far as increasing your institution’s student enrollment.
Once we know precisely what you need, we can connect you to prospective students who are looking for precisely what you offer.
It’s as simple as that.
Again, call us at 1-800-419-3201, or contact us HERE, and an expert will walk you through the process of how Conversion Media Group can drive qualified education leads, applications, and enrollments to your institution.
Now, keep in mind: The gender composition of your student body shouldn’t matter…
But the size of it should.
[1] Current Term Enrollment Estimates | National Student Clearinghouse Research Center (nscresearchcenter.org)
[2] U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: United States
[3] Boys left behind: Education gender gaps across the US | Brookings
[4] Male enrollment in institutions of higher education continues to drop – The Times-Delphic (timesdelphic.com)