College Majors

Arpita Patnaik, Matthew Wiswall () and Basit Zafar

No 27645, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: This article reviews the recent literature on the determinants of college major choices. We first highlight long-term trends and persistent differences in college major choices by gender, race, and family background. We then review the existing research in six key areas: expected earnings and ability sorting, learning, subjective expectations, non-pecuniary considerations, peer and family effects, and supply side factors. We examine and compare the various approaches employed by previous research and highlight key areas for future research.

JEL-codes: D81 D84 I21 I23 J10 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020-08
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