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Why Are Men Falling Behind? Gender Gaps in College Performance and Persistence

Author

Listed:
  • Dylan Conger

    (George Washington University)

  • Mark C. Long

    (Daniel Evans School at the University of Washington)

Abstract

This article examines the male disadvantage in grade point average, credits earned, and persistence in college. Using data on enrollees in Florida and Texas four-year colleges to decompose gender differentials in the first semester, changes in the differentials between semesters, and persistence through college, we find that males earn lower GPAs and credits in their first semester of college largely because they arrive with lower high school grades. After the first semester, males fall further behind their female counterparts in grades and credits. Females’ better high school grades explain some of the widened gender disparity in performance but differences in college course-taking and majors also explain gender gaps in credits, grades, persistence, and graduation.

Suggested Citation

  • Dylan Conger & Mark C. Long, 2010. "Why Are Men Falling Behind? Gender Gaps in College Performance and Persistence," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 627(1), pages 184-214, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:anname:v:627:y:2010:i:1:p:184-214
    DOI: 10.1177/0002716209348751
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Devereux, Paul J. & Delaney, Judith, 2021. "Gender and Educational Achievement: Stylized Facts and Causal Evidence," CEPR Discussion Papers 15753, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    3. Solomon, Keisha T. & Dasgupta, Kabir, 2022. "State mental health insurance parity laws and college educational outcomes," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 86(C).
    4. Nicholas A. Wright, 2024. "Girls Dominate, Boys Left Behind: Decomposing the Gender Gap in Education Outcomes in Jamaica," Working Papers 2410, Florida International University, Department of Economics.
    5. Aina, Carmen & Baici, Eliana & Casalone, Giorgia & Pastore, Francesco, 2022. "The determinants of university dropout: A review of the socio-economic literature," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).

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