Overtaking Men in Education

For decades in the twentieth century, college was the majority domain of American men. In the 1970s and '80s, young women poured onto university campuses and quickly pulled even in numbers.

Today, in a still head-turning reversal, American women far outnumber American men in college — almost 60 to 40 percent. And they are now significantly outperforming men as well, making higher grades and taking top honors. A new study this week finds the numbers gap widening.

Across the country, colleges are scrambling to lift male enrollment and grades, and wondering what the trend means for the future of the country, beyond school.

As women take the lead, hear about the booming gender gap in American colleges.

Guests:

Jacqueline King, Director of the Center for Policy Analysis at the American Council on Education

Thomas DiPrete, Professor of Sociology, Columbia University

Judith Kleinfeld, Professor of Psychology, University of Alaska

Mac Stewart, Vice Provost and Chief Diversity Officer at Ohio State University