Why are more teen girls in America betting on college, and what’s holding boys back?
At a time when many adults are questioning the value of a college degree, American teenage girls are moving in the opposite direction—with conviction. According to a new AP-NORC poll, seven in ten girls aged 13 to 17 say graduating from college is “extremely” or “very” important to them. In comparison, only 54% of boys share that level of belief—underscoring a growing gender gap in academic ambition that mirrors trends already playing out in college completion rates. The survey, conducted this spring among teenagers aged 13–17, also reveals that teens in general remain more optimistic about college than adults. In a similar 2022 poll by UChicago Harris/AP-NORC, only about 4 in 10 adults said graduating from college was “extremely” or “very” important.
Girls are leading the way
For Ry-n Uyeda, a 17-year-old from Waianae, Hawaii, college is not just a goal—it’s personal growth, independence, and self-definition rolled into one. She is already enrolled in college-level courses and hopes to play softball at a West Coast university. “I want to remember where I came from and the values that I’ve learned from here,” Uyeda said. “Going to a new place with new people in a new environment, I just want to still be myself” as reported by the Associated Press.
A gap that reflects national trends
The gender gap in teen aspirations echoes what’s already happening in American higher education. In 1995, men and women were equally likely to have a bachelor’s degree. Today, 47% of US women aged 25–34 hold one, compared to just 37% of men, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of census data. The poll also found that teens raised in households with higher incomes and with college-educated parents are more likely to consider a degree important.
Personal interest fuels purpose
Sixteen-year-old Jalena Crawford says her interest in college began with a newfound passion. “I didn’t really start thinking about college until I started liking ASL. I was trying to figure out what I was going to do,” she said as reported by Associated Press. Now a high school junior, she hopes to attend Grand Canyon University or Arizona State University to become a professional American Sign Language interpreter. Her aspirations have been bolstered by relatives who earned degrees. To her, not considering college would be “weird.”More than a job ticket For many teens, college is still seen as essential to employment, but it also represents something deeper. According to the poll:
- About 7 in 10 said college is “extremely” or “very” important for getting a good job.
- Around 6 in 10 said it was valuable for learning necessary life skills.
- About half said it helps in becoming more informed or forming personal identity.
Yet, life feels tougher for their generation
Alongside these ambitions is a sobering awareness: teens know they’re entering a world where milestones like homeownership, raising a family, or enjoying financial stability may be harder to reach than they were for their parents. About 7 in 10 teenagers believe owning a home has become more difficult. Just over half say raising a family or achieving a good standard of living will be harder for their generation. Nearly half say the same about having a successful career or being able to travel the world.
College alone doesn’t guarantee stability
Evarist Bego, 22, graduated this year from the University of Southern California with a joint degree in business and film. Despite his credentials, he’s struggling to find steady employment. “So many jobs that I see are entry-level, but then they require three-plus years of experience. I have interned in school, I had some experience, but it’s not enough,” he said. His story echoes the concerns of many teens: college may still be a necessary step, but it no longer guarantees a clear path to success.
What’s holding boys back?
The gender divide in teen college ambition has left educators and policymakers asking deeper questions. Are societal expectations, academic environments, or peer norms discouraging boys from pursuing higher education? As more girls step forward with clear plans and purpose, there’s growing concern that boys may be falling behind—not only in degrees, but in long-term opportunity.
Still betting on college, despite the odds
Yet amid their concerns, America’s teenagers, especially girls, continue to view college not as a luxury, but a necessity. They’re driven by passion, purpose, and the hope that higher education will still be worth the investment. Even as the economic terrain shifts beneath their feet, they are choosing to believe that college remains one of the strongest levers of upward mobility, and they’re determined to pull it.
