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Intended College Major Choice and the Inheritance of Majors

Author

Listed:
  • Brunello, Giorgio

    (University of Padova)

  • Campo, Francesco

    (University of Milan Bicocca)

  • Lodigiani, Elisabetta

    (University of Padova)

  • Miotto, Martina

    (University of Padova)

  • Rocco, Lorenzo

    (University of Padova)

Abstract

Using Italian data, we study whether their intended choice of college major is affected by the college major selected by family members. We find evidence of strong inter-generational persistence, especially in medicine and health professions, followed by economics and law, and STEM. The effects are strongest for parents and less sizeable for older siblings. No effect is found for grandparents.

Suggested Citation

  • Brunello, Giorgio & Campo, Francesco & Lodigiani, Elisabetta & Miotto, Martina & Rocco, Lorenzo, 2025. "Intended College Major Choice and the Inheritance of Majors," IZA Discussion Papers 17947, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp17947
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Aguirre, Josefa & Matta, Juan, 2021. "Walking in your footsteps: Sibling spillovers in higher education choices," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    2. Aina, Carmen & Nicoletti, Cheti, 2018. "The intergenerational transmission of liberal professions," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 108-120.
    3. Dustan, Andrew, 2018. "Family networks and school choice," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 134(C), pages 372-391.
    4. Adam Altmejd & Andrés Barrios-Fernández & Marin Drlje & Joshua Goodman & Michael Hurwitz & Dejan Kovac & Christine Mulhern & Christopher Neilson & Jonathan Smith, 2021. "O Brother, Where Start Thou? Sibling Spillovers on College and Major Choice in Four Countries," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 136(3), pages 1831-1886.
    5. Altmejd, Adam, 2023. "Inheritance of fields of study," Working Paper Series 2023:11, IFAU - Institute for Evaluation of Labour Market and Education Policy.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education

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