Men earn a minority of master’s degrees in the United States, but they still hold a large share. National Center for Education Statistics data for the 2020-21 academic year show that men earned about 38 percent of master’s degrees conferred, while women earned about 62 percent.
The split varies sharply by field. In computer and information sciences, men earned 66 percent of master’s degrees. In business, degrees were split roughly evenly between men and women. Women earned the majority in health professions, public administration and social services, and education.
Overall, a master’s degree remains a strong credential for both men and women. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that workers with a master’s earn roughly 18 to 20 percent more in median weekly earnings than workers with only a bachelor’s degree. It helps to review how graduate degrees support career advancement before choosing a field.
Field choice matters more than gender for outcomes. High-demand fields like technology, healthcare, and business tend to reward graduate credentials with better pay and more openings. Pick the field that fits your goals and the job market. Students weighing formats can compare online and traditional master’s degrees and build marketable skills through graduate study.

