Federal Report Uncovers Gender Differences in the Persistence of First-Time College Students

A new report from the United States Department of Education has outlined the attainment and persistence rates of 2019-2020 first-time postsecondary students after three years, including differences between students of different genders.

Among all first-time college students who began their education in the 2019-2020 academic year, 47.9 percent were enrolled at a four-year institution, 16.9 percent were enrolled at a less-than-four-year institution, and 22.6 percent were no longer enrolled in postsecondary education by 2022.

For women, 48.6 percent were enrolled at a four-year institution, 16.5 percent were enrolled at a less-than-four-year institution, and 20.9 percent were no longer enrolled at any institution. In comparison, men were nearly 3 percentage points less likely to be enrolled at a four-year institution and nearly 4 percentage points more likely to no longer be enrolled at any institution. Students of different gender identities were even less likely to be enrolled at a four-year institution and significantly more likely to be enrolled at a less-than-four year institution compared to men and women students.

Considering the 2019-2020 academic year was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the report tracked several personal difficulties first-time postsecondary students faced when pursuing their education. Despite women in this group being more likely to persist with their education, women and gender-nonconforming students experienced significantly higher levels of stress than their male peers during the 2020-2021 academic year.

Over 80 percent of women and nearly 90 percent of gender-queer students reported increased stress or anxiety because of the pandemic’s impact on their education, compared to 64.4 percent of men. Women were significantly more likely than men to have difficulties paying their living expenses and accessing food during this time, and more likely to have lost their job or income. These disparities were particularly exacerbated among gender-nonconforming students – 31.4 percent of whom reported a loss in income during this time. This is nearly double the share of male students who experienced a setback in their employment.