This study investigates factors influencing gender gap in academic performance of students in two main public universities (out of five), namely the Government College University and University of Agriculture in Faisalabad, Pakistan. Primary data was collected using structured questionnaires from 160 randomly sampled students, comprising 80 male and 80 female students. Grade Point Aggregate (GPA) was used as a proxy of ‘academic performance’ based on gender of the respondent and other variables such as previous academic scores and income of respondent’s household etc. Econometric techniques applied included bivariate analysis (Chi-square), correlation metrics, and OLS regression analysis. 

The Chi-square results reveal that there exists a strong association between gender and academic performance (Grade Point Aggregate) which is highly significant. Eta test statistic was also used to check the strength of association between gender and student’s GPA, which reveals a positive relationship between these variables. Ordinary Least Square (OLS) was used which shows that variables like gender, previous GPA, household income, parental education, and behaviour of teachers contribute towards GPA. This shows that gender disparity leads to gender inequality in academic performance; therefore, the study recommends that the Government should play a vital role to eradicate the adverse effect of gender gap in the education sector.