Lecture: Who is Going to College?

Decline in College Enrollment Among Young Americans

• Declining enrollment over the past decade
• Significant decrease driven by fewer young men pursuing degrees
• Pew Research: 1 million fewer young men enrolled compared to 2011
• Focus on rethinking college

Case Study: A High School Graduate from Brentwood, NY

• Plans to work as an HVAC technician instead of going to college
• Financial constraints and uncertainty about long-term career prospects
• Reflects a broader trend: only 57% of men vs. 65% of women among high school graduates enrolled in college (last year)
• Women have entered college at higher rates than men since 1996

Gender Disparities in Education

• Girls outperform boys throughout the education system (from kindergarten to high school)
• High school GPA: Top 10% = 2/3 girls
• Affects college enrollment rates
• Today: Men = 42% of undergrad students
• Particularly alarming gap for young men of color: 50,000 fewer Black men enrolled compared to pre-pandemic levels

Factors Affecting Male College Enrollment and Retention

• Competing factors making college a tougher sell for men
• Stereotypes and societal expectations (especially for Black and Latino boys)
• Women more likely to graduate within four years than men
• Colleges targeting male students as a group in need of extra support

Case Study: Montclair State University

• More than half of students from underrepresented groups
• Men: only 40% of total enrollment
• Consequences of fewer young men going to college: impacts income, health, happiness, life satisfaction
• Montclair's Male Enrollment and Graduation Alliance: aims to recruit and retain more men

Initiatives to Support Male Students

• Social and emotional support alongside academic help
• Example: The Brotherhood (student organization)

Personal Stories: Overcoming Challenges

• Jean's story: Overcame homelessness, stereotypes, family issues
• Importance of understanding the benefits of college and planning beyond high school

Perspectives on College and Future Prospects

• Benefits of college beyond academics: time management, respect, teamwork
• Brentwood high school graduate comfortable with his decision not to attend college immediately

Conclusion

• Ongoing efforts to address declining male enrollment in college and support male students