Preferred field of study and academic performance

Francesco Berlingieri, André Diegmann (geb. Nolte) and Maresa Sprietsma

Economics of Education Review, 2023, vol. 95, issue C

Abstract: This paper investigates the impact of studying the first-choice university subject on dropout and switching field of study for a cohort of students in Germany. Using detailed survey data, and employing an instrumental variable strategy based on variation in the local field of study availability, we provide evidence that students who are not enrolled in their preferred field of study are more likely to change their field, delay graduation and drop out of university. The estimated impact on dropout is particularly strong among students of low socio-economic status and is likely to be driven by lower effort and motivation.

Keywords: Field of study; Preferences; Academic performance; University dropout (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I21 I23 J24 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:ecoedu:v:95:y:2023:i:c:s0272775723000560

DOI: 10.1016/j.econedurev.2023.102409

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