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Risk Aversion and College Subject

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  • Paolo Buonanno
  • Dario Pozzoli

Abstract

We investigate whether individual attitudes toward risk may explain why, though there exist huge di erences in the employment returns of graduates by fields of study, the most demanded subjects by the economy are less frequently chosen. The econometric methodology is based on a three step procedure which controls for selectivity bias in the rst stage (Heckman, 1979; Lee, 1983; Trost and Lee, 1984). Using a large data set from a survey on the 2001 Italian high school graduates, the main results indicate that students take into account the a priori probability of unsuccess when choosing the college subject. Moreover, students coming from a lower socio-economic background display more risk aversion.

Suggested Citation

  • Paolo Buonanno & Dario Pozzoli, 2007. "Risk Aversion and College Subject," Working Papers (-2012) 0707, University of Bergamo, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:brg:wpaper:0707
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Risk aversion; College subject; Self-selection;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C34 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Truncated and Censored Models; Switching Regression Models
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education

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