New data shows that men are deciding early in high school that college isn't in the cards. But while college participation is up nationwide, those who crunch the numbers can cite several studies that show women are outpacing men in their interest in college. A study presented to the University of Wisconsin's Board of Regents noted that a third of high school graduates in the state end up attending UW schools. That disparity could be explained if these students were attending private schools or going to technical colleges. A national study by the University of Michigan found that interest in college among both men and women has increased over the last 20 years, but men have not kept up.
Women also graduate high school and college at a higher rate, and they earn better grades.
Searching for reasons While it's clear men are not showing up in the college classrooms, the reasons why are not clear. The men will come back, the experts believed, as the economy slows. Of course, male high school graduates earn more than female high school graduates. The return on the investment for women is greater than the return on the investment for men. But admissions counselors have started questioning that argument.