More young men in the U.S. are opting out of college. According to YPulse data, 68% 13-39-year-old males believe they don’t need a college degree to be successful, compared to 65% of females. And this shift is happening everywhere, not just in small pockets; nationally, men have been opting out of higher education for years. Between 2011 and 2022, male college enrollment dropped significantly, contributing almost entirely to a 1.2M nationwide student decline in college attendance. It could be due to rising tuition costs (nearly $100K annually at elite schools) or the appeal of immediate working income, but also the spread of anti-college messaging on social media from right-wing speakers like Charlie Kirk. Still, some educators worry high-achieving boys are making these choices due to “boredom” rather than careful consideration, while others point to a resurging emphasis on traditional masculinity that values providing and protecting through bringing in money right out of high school. (Bloomberg)
👀 Read more from YPulse: Gen Z Might Be Changing Their Mind About Going to College
