The Earnings Benefits of Majoring in STEM Fields Among High Achieving Minority Students

Tatiana Melguizo, Gregory C. Wolniak

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to improve our understanding of the association between major field of study in college and early career earnings among a sample of academically accomplished minority students. Results demonstrate the economic benefits minority students experience from majoring in a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math field during college, and highlight the importance of gaining employment in a closely related field in order to secure those benefits. The results also illustrate the need to carefully account for self-selection when estimating the earnings premiums in relation to educational experiences during college. Implications for policy and research are discussed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)383-405
Number of pages23
JournalResearch in Higher Education
Volume53
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2012

Keywords

  • College majors
  • Earnings
  • Job congruence
  • STEM

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Education

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