Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Empirical studies of population decline have been carried out across a wide range of industries. However, the dramatic decline in the population of single-sex colleges in the United States, and the near extinction of such a higher educational alternative, has failed to capture the critical attention of researchers. In 1970, there were 230 women’s colleges and 174 men’s colleges. As of 2000, only 63 women’s colleges remained in existence, while no equivalent figures are available for men’s colleges. Between 1970 and 1980 alone, 108 women’s colleges and 101 men’s colleges converted to coeducation, while another 46 women’s colleges and 27 men’s colleges closed their doors (U.S. Department of Education, 1970; 1980). In this study, I propose to look at the population of single-sex colleges over the period of 1970 to 1980 in an attempt to uncover: the conditions under which single-sex colleges are likely to undertake a transition to coeducation; and how such a change affects performance and survival chances. A third and final line of inquiry for the current study is to examine whether or not the answers to the first two questions depend on whether one looks at men’s colleges or women’s colleges.