Accompanied with a rapid expansion of Chinese higher education system in the 1990s is a pressing concern on college access by female students. In this study, empirical data are analyzed to disentangle contextual factors behind Chinese female access to higher education in the late 1990s. As the quality of higher education gains more attention of education stakeholders around the world, this report highlights a long-lasting equality issue within Chinese society. (Contains 9 figures and 1 table.)