Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/272726 
Year of Publication: 
2023
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 16099
Publisher: 
Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
Expected earnings matter for college major choices, and majors differ in both their average earnings and the age profile of their earnings. We show that students' family background is strongly related to the earnings paths of the major they choose. Students with more educated parents, especially those who have graduate degrees, choose majors with lower early-career earnings but much faster earnings growth. They are also less likely to choose safe majors with little early-career earnings or unemployment downside. Parental income has a weaker relationship with major choice and operates mostly through the type of institution the student attends.
Subjects: 
college major
family background
JEL: 
I21
I23
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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