Researching the Male Enrollment Decline

This summer, Suffolk in the Hub, Suffolk University’s student-run ad agency founded and led by CEO PR Ring, embarked on an in-depth research project to address a critical challenge: the declining enrollment of male students in higher education. A team of junior researchers—Khushbu Savla Prakash, Erika Penney, Aaron Blatt, and Alina Gnusareva—worked to uncover the causes behind this trend and develop actionable recommendations.

Understanding the Issue

Male college enrollment has seen a significant decline over the past decade, with men comprising only 44% of college students in 2023. Suffolk University mirrors this national trend, where male students made up just 36% of the student body last year. Through surveys, interviews, and data analysis, the Suffolk in the Hub team identified three key factors contributing to this decline:

1. A Feeling of Marginalization: Male students often perceive academic environments as unsupportive, leading to disengagement.
2. Prioritizing Income Over Education: Many young men are drawn to immediate financial opportunities in trades or entrepreneurship, rather than pursuing a degree.
3. Influence of Social Media: Platforms like TikTok amplify narratives that question the value of higher education, encouraging alternative career paths.

Proposed Solutions

The team’s findings paved the way for recommendations designed to address these challenges:

• Implement mentorship programs that connect male students with role models, including alumni and faculty.
• Offer career-focused certifications and short-term programs in areas like entrepreneurship and e-sports.
• Launch targeted outreach initiatives to engage younger students and build pathways to higher education.

A Research-Driven Approach

Suffolk in the Hub’s research highlights the agency’s commitment to solving real-world problems while providing students with hands-on experience. This project, among others, underscores how collaborative efforts can generate insights that shape policy, programs, and outcomes in higher education.