The landscape of women’s colleges in the United States has undergone significant changes since the mid-20th century, with a notable decline in their numbers.
Once home to over 200 institutions, the count has dwindled to just 31 as of fall 2022, according to data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
This decline is part of a broader trend affecting colleges and universities across the nation, as an increasing number have closed in the past decade.
Although enrollment of women in higher education has risen, exceeding that of men, the question surrounding the viability and value of women’s colleges persists.
The Pew Research Center recently conducted an analysis aimed at understanding the characteristics of these institutions as they face dwindling numbers.
Utilizing data primarily from NCES, along with insights from the Women’s College Coalition (WCC) and additional sources, the analysis sheds light on the status and changes pertaining to women’s colleges.
Women’s colleges, often referred to as “historically women’s colleges,” cater primarily to female students, though many are not exclusively female.
These institutions have their roots dating back to the mid-19th century, established at a time when women were largely denied access to higher education.
In contemporary times, the 31 existing women’s colleges include two institutions that are historically Black colleges or universities (HBCUs).
The majority of these colleges are private, nonprofit entities characterized by smaller student populations, often reliant on financial aid for their attendees.
Many women’s colleges maintain historical religious affiliations, with at least 12 currently upholding these ties, nine of which are Catholic.
In terms of geographical distribution, women’s colleges are less concentrated than HBCUs, which are predominantly located in the southern United States.
Massachusetts boasts the highest number of women’s colleges, with five, while Georgia follows with four, including the historically Black college, Spelman College.
The admissions processes at women’s colleges vary; nearly all are private and can legally limit admissions based on gender.
Some of these institutions accept men in specific graduate or part-time programs while reserving full-time undergraduate slots exclusively for women.
Notably, Texas Woman’s University (TWU) remains the only public women’s college, which cannot legally reject qualified male applicants due to the U.S. Supreme Court’s interpretation of the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment.
At TWU, however, men constituted only 12% of the total student enrollment by fall 2022.
Additionally, women’s colleges are increasingly reassessing their admissions policies regarding transgender students.
Some institutions have opened their doors to individuals who identify as women, including nonbinary and transgender students, while others maintain restrictions against admitting trans women.
Over the years, enrollment patterns at women’s colleges have significantly shifted.
From 1998 to 2022, approximately 67,300 students were enrolled at women’s colleges – a striking 40% decrease from the nearly 112,500 students recorded in 1998.
Conversely, enrollment figures across all colleges and specifically for private, nonprofit institutions have increased by 28% and 37%, respectively during the same period.
The last decade brought a general decline in overall college enrollment, which plummeted by 10% from 2012 to 2022, with women’s colleges experiencing an even steeper drop of 18%.
While not all women’s colleges experienced this decline uniformly, some have reported increases in both enrollment and applications, showcasing a contrast amid broader trends.
However, the dissolution of numerous women’s colleges closely coincides with these enrollment decreases.
Between 1998 and 2022, nearly half of the existing women’s colleges either closed, merged, or transitioned to coeducational status:
Four colleges have permanently ceased operations.
One institution, Mills College, merged with Northeastern University in 2022.
Meanwhile, 28 colleges transformed into coeducational institutions; among these, two later closed after 2022 (Wells College and Notre Dame College of Ohio), while Rosemont College is set to merge with Villanova University in 2027.
Interestingly, institutions like Carlow College, Marymount College, Marymount Manhattan College, and Mississippi University for Women were counted as women’s colleges by NCES in 1998 but were not on the list in 2022.
Research indicates these colleges became coed prior to 1998, thus they have been categorized differently in the analysis.
The future of women’s colleges remains uncertain as they face challenges in maintaining enrollment and relevance in the evolving landscape of higher education.
As conversations surrounding education become more inclusive, institutions must adapt to meet the needs of diverse student populations while preserving their core missions and values.
image source from：pewresearch
