The impact of degree field on the earnings of male and female college graduates

Abstract

Since the gender demographics across majors have dramatically changed over the last few decades, a re-examination of the relationship between gender, undergraduate major selection, and compensation levels once in the workforce is important. This article will focus on how the salaries of college graduates have changed over the last decade. The analyses will explore the extent to which undergraduate major selection contributes to any male-female salary gap. A comparison of regression models for 1993 and 2001 describes the extent to which the selection of major remains a significant factor among those individuals who have entered the workforce.

Black Americans, Gains in Science and Engineering Degrees, and Gender

“…Of the 6645 bachelor's degrees awarded in Education, females accounted for 5044 (75.9%, but 4.9% of total) and males accounted for 1601 (24.1%, but 3% of total). In science, mathematics and engineering fields males continue to earn more degrees in mathematics and engineering (Freeman et al, 2005; also see Ma, 2009), which is also observed in Table 2.…”