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Earnings Expectations of “First-in-Family” University Students and Their Role for Major Choice

Author

Listed:
  • Adler, Katharina

    (University of Würzburg)

  • Kosse, Fabian

    (University of Würzburg)

  • Nagler, Markus

    (Friedrich Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany)

  • Rincke, Johannes

    (University of Erlangen-Nuremberg)

Abstract

How do students' earnings expectations differ by being the first in their family to attend university (FiF) and how do they affect field of study choice? We leverage unique survey and administrative data from a German university to document sizable gaps in expected earnings between FiF and non-FiF students. Our data can explain two-thirds of this gap, with the largest share attributable to field of study choice. We show that FiF students sort less into study fields based on their earnings expectations. Investigating potential explanations, we find that they expect lower own ability and worse non-wage amenities in high-earning fields.

Suggested Citation

  • Adler, Katharina & Kosse, Fabian & Nagler, Markus & Rincke, Johannes, 2025. "Earnings Expectations of “First-in-Family” University Students and Their Role for Major Choice," IZA Discussion Papers 17720, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp17720
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ernesto Reuben & Matthew Wiswall & Basit Zafar, 2017. "Preferences and Biases in Educational Choices and Labour Market Expectations: Shrinking the Black Box of Gender," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 127(604), pages 2153-2186, September.
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    4. Francine D. Blau & Lawrence M. Kahn, 2017. "The Gender Wage Gap: Extent, Trends, and Explanations," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 55(3), pages 789-865, September.
    5. Edwards, Rebecca & Gibson, Rachael & Harmon, Colm & Schurer, Stefanie, 2022. "First-in-their-family students at university: Can non-cognitive skills compensate for social origin?," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    6. Matthew Wiswall & Basit Zafar, 2018. "Preference for the Workplace, Investment in Human Capital, and Gender," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 133(1), pages 457-507.
    7. Alan S. Blinder, 1973. "Wage Discrimination: Reduced Form and Structural Estimates," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 8(4), pages 436-455.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    earnings expectations; higher education; first-generation; socio-economic gaps;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • I26 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Returns to Education
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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