Graduating Gender Gap

The gender gap at universities and colleges around the nation has favored female students for some time. Increasingly, women graduates are outnumbering men, but why?

"I think this trend is due to social change and economics," said Teresa Isbell, director of Institutional Research Planning and Development. "Today, women have even greater choices for careers and better access to higher education."

At North Lake College, women surpassed men in Summer I enrollment by 944. In spring 2009, women carried the enrollment with 54 percent over the mens' 46 percent.

Women are the majority at schools right now - 56 percent of total college students are women, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The number of women graduating from higher education schools has increased year after year, now accounting for 58 percent of all college undergraduates.

These figures seem more impressive when you consider that only a few decades ago men outnumbered women in higher education by 2 to 1.

"I tried going to school for a few semesters," said Paul Stinson, a former North Lake College student. "But I found a good job in construction and worked too much to go."

In comparison, men are prevalent in labor industries such as construction and manufacturing. 

"Men can work more jobs that require harder labor, like mechanics, roofing and electrical work, which require little or no school," Stinson said. "Women don't have that comfort."

The National Center for Education Statistics says when applying for jobs, women tend to take those at an entry level that will see them rise up the ranks.  Men, however, go for the higher paid, more lucrative positions, sometimes that are beyond their qualifications. 

Women are increasingly reported to be turning to online start-ups that allow them to establish a business from their home.

"Mothers haven't always had to provide for their families," said Isbell. "I didn't want to struggle, so I took advantage of good grades, financial aid and a college within commuting distance."

It is uncertain whether it is the new job market, economy or progressive social changes that are helping women succeed in college. But one thing is for sure: women are making their mark.