Colleges need to recruit more men, but Trump’s policies are making it difficult
Preview:
Men have been applying to and completing college at lower rates than women for decades, and some selective colleges have admitted male applicants at slightly higher rates to help maintain gender balance; however, recent Trump administration policies that prohibit considering gender in admissions and roll back diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts could remove this informal advantage and make it harder for colleges to recruit and admit more men. These federal directives discourage gender-based considerations alongside race and other characteristics, which experts say may worsen gender imbalances on campuses where women already far outnumber men and could reshape admissions strategies at selective institutions.
Originally published: January 20, 2026
Author: Catharine B. Hill
Position: Former President
Institution: Vassar College
Published by: The Hechinger Report