Study of gender differences in performance at the U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Coast Guard Academy

Abstract

This thesis compares the academic and military performance of women with that of men at the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) and U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA). Measures of performance are grade-point average and military proficiency scores. The SAT scores for men and women at the two academies were also compared. The population included the Classes of 1997 through 2003, totaling 1,184 cadets from USCGA and 6,598 midshipmen from USNA. A number of hypotheses were tested quantitatively for all cadets and midshipmen from these classes as well as for those who majored in a technical discipline. The results indicate that women at the two academies generally perform as well or better than do their male counterparts. This was especially true on measures of military proficiency, where women tended to outperform men, particularly those who were enrolled in a technical major. Further research should seek to explain gender differences in performance, given the pressures on women at these institutions and differences in scores on the SAT. Continued study of gender differences is recommended, and examples of possible research are provided.