Rising Above or Lagging Behind? Inequality in Higher Education in the US and Germany

Higher education is often associated with the promise of being the surefire road to professional success, but for many students, this path is a rocky one. Their journey is shaped by inequalities tied to factors such as social class and gender. While the number of female students enrolling in universities has risen—sometimes surpassing that of males—the same cannot be said for those who grew up in low-income or working-class families. What are the key differences in how social class and gender influence access to and success in higher education in the United States and Germany? How do these dimensions of inequality affect who gets to attend university? What can colleges, universities, and other stakeholders do to help wherever challenges are identified?

Join us for a discussion with experts from both sides of the Atlantic as they compare the higher education systems in the United States and Germany, analyze the current state of inequality in higher education, and explore its causes, consequences, and potential pathways toward greater equity.