Examining the Gender Gap in College Participation Rates

A new study by the Pew Research Center shows that for recent high school graduates, college participation rates of women far outpace those of men. The gender differences are particularly pronounced for Blacks and Hispanics.

According to the data, in 2012, 71 percent of women high school graduates had enrolled in some type of postsecondary education program by October of that year. But only 61 percent of male 2012 high school graduates enrolled in higher education.

For Hispanic women, the college participation rate was 13 percentage points higher than for Hispanic men. The gender gap for African Americans was 12 percentage points.

Since 1994, the changes have been significant. That year there was no gender difference in college participation rates for Hispanics. Now Hispanic women have a 13 percentage point lead.

For African Americans, in 1994, men were nine percentage points more likely than women to enroll in college immediately after high school graduation. Now, Black women hold a 12 percentage point advantage. This is a swing of 21 percentage points in 18 years.