Gender Differences Over the Span of College: Challenges to Achieving Equity

Abstract

Although educational and occupational gains made by women in recent decades have given rise to a popular notion that gender equity has been achieved, signifi cant gender differences in the college student population exist across a variety of domains. Focusing on three major areas—(1) Financial Background; (2) Academic Self-Confidence and Engagement; and (3) Degree, Major, and Career Aspirations—this study examines historical trends in gender differences observed among entering college students over the past 4 decades and assesses changes in the gender gap occurring over 4 years of college. Results reveal significant sex differentials across all categories and show that gender differences observed at the point of college entry tend to remain steady over 4 years of college, though some narrowing and/or magnification of gender differences is observed. The implications for improving campus gender equity are discussed.