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An Analysis of Factors Influencing Chinese University Students’ Major Choice from the Perspective of Gender Differences

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  • Chang Xu

    (School of Finance and Public Administration, Anhui University of Finance and Economics, Bengbu 233030, China)

  • Futao Xiang

    (School of Finance and Public Administration, Anhui University of Finance and Economics, Bengbu 233030, China)

  • Ruiqi Duan

    (School of Finance and Public Administration, Anhui University of Finance and Economics, Bengbu 233030, China)

  • Cristina Miralles-Cardona

    (Faculty of Education, University of Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain)

  • Xinxin Huo

    (School of Finance and Public Administration, Anhui University of Finance and Economics, Bengbu 233030, China)

  • Junwei Xu

    (School of Finance and Public Administration, Anhui University of Finance and Economics, Bengbu 233030, China)

Abstract

Higher education attainment is a focus of gender differences research. However, little is known about differences in university students’ major choices at the same level of higher education in China’s education hierarchy. Based on a web survey of 1164 undergraduate students in China’s broad enrollment context, this study uses Wenjuanxing to collect information by posting questionnaires on social media platforms and analyzes the impact of gender differences on the major choices of finance and economics undergraduates by using the Linear Discriminant Model (LDM). Moreover, this study explores the differential impact of income level, urban–rural settings, and regional differences on university students’ major choices. This study finds that female students are approximately 2.62 times more likely than male students to choose applied majors (such as accounting, financial management, auditing, international business, and so on), a gap that is more pronounced in high-income families and Eastern regions. In addition, in rural areas, female students have a higher probability of choosing applied majors than male students. These findings indicate that in China’s broad discipline enrollment model, gender differences still significantly affect students’ major choices, and female students are more likely to enter applied majors than their male counterparts.

Suggested Citation

  • Chang Xu & Futao Xiang & Ruiqi Duan & Cristina Miralles-Cardona & Xinxin Huo & Junwei Xu, 2023. "An Analysis of Factors Influencing Chinese University Students’ Major Choice from the Perspective of Gender Differences," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-13, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:18:p:14037-:d:1245117
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Xiong, Weiyan & Yang, Jiale & Shen, Wenqin, 2022. "Higher education reform in China: A comprehensive review of policymaking, implementation, and outcomes since 1978," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).
    2. Li, Dai & Wang, Yizhen & Li, Lantian, 2023. "Educational choice has greater effects on sex ratios of college STEM majors than has the greater male variance in general intelligence (g)," Intelligence, Elsevier, vol. 96(C).
    3. Déborah Sanabrias-Moreno & María Sánchez-Zafra & María Luisa Zagalaz-Sánchez & Javier Cachón-Zagalaz, 2023. "Emotional Intelligence, Quality of Life, and Concern for Gender Perspective in Future Teachers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-12, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ronnie Santelices, 2024. "Examining Gender-Related Quantitative Disparities in Intern Performance: A Comparative Analysis," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 8(3), pages 1893-1900, March.
    2. Corina Florina Tătar & Marius Ioan Tătar & János Pénzes & George W. White, 2023. "How Gender, Culture, and Economy Influence Field of Study Preferences in Higher Education: Exploring Gender Gaps in STEM, AHSS, and Medicine among International Students," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-17, November.

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