The Role of Women's Colleges and Universities in Providing Access to Postsecondary Education

Based on a qualitative, comparative, multiple case study of the contributions and status of 21st century women's colleges and universities, this article analyzes the topic of women's access to postsecondary education in ten nations. Despite decreasing numbers of women-only institutions in some regions (e.g., North America), the sector is growing in others (e.g., South Asia). In all regions, they provide access for women who would not be able to attend postsecondary education, a phenomenon mediated by cultural, religious, and economic factors. I describe three main mechanisms through which women's institutions provide access: legal, practical (financial and academic), and cultural.