Before the 20th century, most women in America who received a college education did so at all women's colleges. Today, coeducation has become the norm – that is, most schools open their doors to both sexes. However, for women who are interested in same sex education, this option is still available at 49 colleges and universities.

History of Women's Colleges and Universities in the 20th Century

During the 1960s and 1970s, the majority of single sex colleges went coed. This happened for several reasons. First, the Victorian sensibility that women needed to be protected from men was fading. Second, as many women joined the workforce and the Women's Liberation Movement, people began to question whether "separate but equal" schools brought an equally high caliber education to every student.