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The Gender Gap in Undergraduate Economics Course Persistence and Degree Selection

Author

Listed:
  • Laura J. Ahlstrom
  • Carlos J. Asarta

Abstract

This study examines male and female course persistence and choice of economics degree via a combination of student, instructor, and structural characteristics. We find that students of both genders who declare economics as their major are more likely to take additional economics courses than their non-major peers. Additionally, students' economics grades are a significant determinant of course persistence and degree selection, but men and women respond somewhat differently to their absolute and relative grades. Finally, men's economics degree selection is significantly correlated with their math abilities, while women's economics degree selection is correlated with both their math and verbal aptitudes.

Suggested Citation

  • Laura J. Ahlstrom & Carlos J. Asarta, 2019. "The Gender Gap in Undergraduate Economics Course Persistence and Degree Selection," AEA Papers and Proceedings, American Economic Association, vol. 109, pages 255-260, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:apandp:v:109:y:2019:p:255-60
    Note: DOI: 10.1257/pandp.20191103
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    File URL: https://www.aeaweb.org/doi/10.1257/pandp.20191103
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Graziella Bertocchi & Luca Bonacini & Marina Murat, 2021. "Adams and Eves: The Gender Gap in Economics Majors," EIEF Working Papers Series 2115, Einaudi Institute for Economics and Finance (EIEF), revised Dec 2021.
    2. Leiv Opstad, 2021. "Is there a Trade-Off between Financial Rewards and Other Job Benefits? Different Career Pathways for two Groups of Management Students," International Journal of Social Sciences, European Research Center, vol. 10(2), pages 15-30, September.
    3. Stephen Day & Evelyn Nunes & Bruno Sultanum, 2022. "Is It Still an Econ Course? The Effect of a Standardized Personal Finance Test on the Learning of Economics," Working Paper 22-03, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond.
    4. Arnold, Ivo J.M., 2020. "Gender and major choice within economics: Evidence from Europe," International Review of Economics Education, Elsevier, vol. 35(C).
    5. Jens Schubert, 2023. "The Effect of Gender on Study Effort: Nudges Versus Market Incentives," The American Economist, Sage Publications, vol. 68(1), pages 24-44, March.
    6. Graziella Bertocchi & Luca Bonacini & Marina Murat, 2023. "Adams and Eves: High school math and the gender gap in Economics majors," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 61(4), pages 798-817, October.
    7. Zachary Ferrara & Carlos J. Asarta, 2023. "The Lived Experiences of Top Women Contributors to Leading Economic Education Journals," The American Economist, Sage Publications, vol. 68(1), pages 110-125, March.
    8. Graziella Bertocchi & Luca Bonacini & Marina Murat, 2021. "Adams and Eves: The Gender Gap in Economics Majors," Department of Economics 0196, University of Modena and Reggio E., Faculty of Economics "Marco Biagi".

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • A22 - General Economics and Teaching - - Economic Education and Teaching of Economics - - - Undergraduate
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination

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