More women than men have higher levels of education in our state.
SAGINAW, Mich. (WJRT) – More women than men have higher levels of education in our state.
It’s a disparity that leaders are trying to address.
Despite recent efforts to increase free tuition options, women continue to outnumber men at community colleges and universities, and in those free programs.
“Really at all levels of higher education, we see women outpacing men in terms of participation, in terms of completion and attainment,” Brandy Johnson, President of the Michigan Community College Association said.
She tells us even when tuition is free, women outnumber men.
“Most adult learners benefitting from Michigan Reconnect scholarship are women,” she said.
Michigan Reconnect provides tuition-free access to community college for Michigan residents 25 years old and older who don’t have a college degree.
The program began in 2021.
Johnson says the trend is also being seen among high school graduates, partially because of a hot labor market.
“Meaning those entry level jobs are paying a premium. We think that’s cooling off a bit,” she said.
And we’re told the gender trend in education is nothing new.
“This is not a new phenomenon. This has been a trend in higher education for at least the past 10 to 15 years,” Robert Matthews, Vice President for Student Academic and Workforce Success at Mott Community College, said.
He says in addition to Michigan Reconnect, last year’s Michigan Community College Guarantee covers in-district tuition and fees for recent high school graduates.
So, earning an associates can be free for nearly anyone in our state.
“We are in a very, very unprecedented time,” he said.
With college programs and marketing aimed at male-oriented platforms and places, leaders hope to even the scale.
“Men represent 50 percent of our workforce and the data is exceptionally clear that the more you learn, the more you earn,” Johnson said.