Higher Ed Morning
Diverse group of graduates at commencement ceremony

Women now represent the majority of college graduates across most degree levels

AnalysisGender GapDegree AttainmentDemographics

Men vs. Women: Who Has More Degrees?

Gender trends in higher education reveal dramatic shifts over five decades

New data from the Department of Education shows women now earn nearly 60% of all college degrees, representing a complete reversal from patterns seen in the 1970s.

Dr. Jennifer Chen

Dr. Jennifer Chen

Policy & Finance Analyst

Ph.D. Economics, MIT, Former DOE Policy Analyst

January 14, 2024

15 min read

The Numbers Tell the Story

The latest data from the U.S. Department of Education reveals a striking transformation in higher education demographics. In the 2022-23 academic year, women earned 58.7% of all bachelor's degrees, 62.1% of master's degrees, and 55.4% of doctoral degrees.

Degree Attainment by Gender (2022-23)

Degree LevelWomenMenTotal Degrees
Associate62.3%37.7%1,025,732
Bachelor's58.7%41.3%2,123,567
Master's62.1%37.9%834,081
Doctoral55.4%44.6%192,555
Professional52.8%47.2%156,432

Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics

Historical Context

This represents a complete reversal from the 1970s, when men earned approximately 60% of all college degrees. The shift began in the 1980s and has accelerated over the past two decades.

Line chart showing degree attainment trends by gender from 1970-2023

The gender gap in degree attainment has reversed and widened over five decades

International Perspective

This trend is not unique to the United States. OECD data shows women now earn more degrees than men in 37 of 38 member countries, with only Turkey showing male degree dominance.

Field-Specific Analysis

While women dominate overall degree attainment, significant gender gaps persist in specific fields of study.

Fields Where Women Earn 70%+ of Degrees

  • Psychology (78.2%)
  • Education (79.1%)
  • Health Professions (85.4%)
  • Social Work (87.3%)
  • Veterinary Medicine (82.1%)
  • Biology/Life Sciences (62.7%)

Fields Where Men Still Dominate

  • Engineering (21.8% women)
  • Computer Science (19.7% women)
  • Physics (20.1% women)
  • Philosophy (33.2% women)
  • Economics (35.1% women)

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Dr. Michael Rodriguez, Georgetown University Linguistics Department

Economic Implications

The shift in degree attainment has significant economic implications, particularly as the economy increasingly rewards higher education credentials.

Wage Gap Considerations

Despite earning more degrees, women still face a wage gap. However, the gap is narrowing among younger workers, particularly those with advanced degrees.

Factors Behind the Shift

Researchers have identified several factors contributing to women's educational advancement:

  1. **Academic performance:** Girls consistently outperform boys in reading and writing throughout K-12
  2. **College readiness:** Women are more likely to take advanced courses and participate in extracurricular activities
  3. **Economic incentives:** The wage premium for college education is particularly strong for women
  4. **Social expectations:** Changing cultural norms around women's career aspirations
  5. **Support systems:** Women are more likely to utilize academic support services

Concerns About Male Participation

The declining participation of men in higher education has become a policy concern, with some institutions implementing targeted recruitment and support programs.

Future Projections

Department of Education projections suggest the gender gap in degree attainment will continue to widen through 2030, with women expected to earn nearly 65% of all degrees by the end of the decade.

References

  1. Digest of Education Statistics 2023 - National Center for Education Statistics (2024)
  2. Education at a Glance 2023 - Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (2023)
  3. Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male Is Struggling - Brookings Institution Press (2022)

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Fact-checked by: Dr. Sarah Mitchell on 1/13/2024

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