Women Continue to Hold a Large Lead in Seeking Access to Higher Education

New data from the U.S. Department of Education shows that women still are seeking to access higher education at rates far higher than men. In 2016, 5,829,088 women applied to four-year colleges and universities in the United States, compared to 4,504,453 men. There were 39,324 women who applied to two-year colleges. This was 60.4 of all applicants to two-year colleges.

A total of 3,351,126 women were admitted to four-year institutions compared to 2,587,212 men. Thus, women were 58 percent of all admitted students at four-year colleges and universities. At two-year institutions, women were 60.1 percent of all admitted students.

In the fall of 2016, 835,560 women enrolled full-time at four-year colleges and universities. For men, 684,144 students enrolled full time. Thus, women were 55 percent of all first-time, full-time enrollments. Women made up 59 percent of first-time, full-time enrollments at two-year institutions.

The full report, Graduation Rates for Selected Cohorts, 2008–13; Outcome Measures for Cohort Year 2008; Student Financial Aid, Academic Year 2015– 16; and Admissions in Postsecondary Institutions, Fall 2016, may be downloaded by clicking here.