Women have dominated the field of veterinary medicine for the past forty years. Sociologist Anne E. Lincoln cites three factors likely responsible for this shift: the 1972 federal amendment that outlaws discrimination against female students; an increase in women earning Bachelor degrees relative to male graduates; and male graduate school applicants being deterred from applying to veterinary programs by a growing number of women enrolling.

After the passage of Title IX in 1972, there was a notable shift in the proportion of veterinary college enrollments from a majority of males to more females. After 1972, females began enrolling in larger numbers while the number of male applicants dropped dramatically after 1976, the first year applicant statistics were collected.

By 2008-2009, the national average veterinary medicine enrollment of males had declined by 22%. Current enrollment is estimated to be evenly divided among men and women, although Lincoln predicts that it will continue to shift more heavily in favor of women.