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Field interest and the choice of college major

Author

Listed:
  • Shannon Breske

    (University of Missouri-Columbia)

  • Cory Koedel

    (University of Missouri-Columbia)

  • Eric Parsons

    (University of Missouri-Columbia)

Abstract

We perform exploratory research to understand the importance of interest in the field of study as a determinant of college major choice and examine how the importance of interest varies by student demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. We show that women, White students, and students from advantaged socioeconomic backgrounds rate interest as a more important factor in driving the choice of college major relative to other students. The gender gap in the importance of interest is largest. Gaps by race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status are less pronounced but still large.

Suggested Citation

  • Shannon Breske & Cory Koedel & Eric Parsons, 2023. "Field interest and the choice of college major," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 43(2), pages 688-699.
    • Handle: RePEc:ebl:ecbull:eb-22-00647
    as

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    File URL: http://www.accessecon.com/Pubs/EB/2023/Volume43/EB-23-V43-I2-P57.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Basit Zafar, 2013. "College Major Choice and the Gender Gap," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 48(3), pages 545-595.
    2. Peter Arcidiacono & Cory Koedel, 2014. "Race and College Success: Evidence from Missouri," American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, American Economic Association, vol. 6(3), pages 20-57, July.
    3. Ralph Stinebrickner & Todd R. Stinebrickner, 2014. "A Major in Science? Initial Beliefs and Final Outcomes for College Major and Dropout," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 81(1), pages 426-472.
    4. Magali Beffy & Denis Fougère & Arnaud Maurel, 2012. "Choosing the Field of Study in Postsecondary Education: Do Expected Earnings Matter?," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 94(1), pages 334-347, February.
    5. Matthew Wiswall & Basit Zafar, 2015. "Determinants of College Major Choice: Identification using an Information Experiment," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 82(2), pages 791-824.
    6. Joshua D. Angrist & Jörn-Steffen Pischke, 2009. "Mostly Harmless Econometrics: An Empiricist's Companion," Economics Books, Princeton University Press, edition 1, number 8769.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    college major choice; major choice; postsecondary gender gaps; STEM degrees; STEM human capital; STEM gender gap; race gaps in major choice; SES gaps in major choice; major choice interventions;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I2 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education
    • J1 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics

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