The effect of higher-achieving peers on major choices and labor market outcomes

B-Tier
Journal: Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization
Year: 2022
Volume: 196
Issue: C
Pages: 200-219

Score contribution per author:

1.005 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

This paper investigates how exposure to higher-achieving male and female peers in university affects students’ major choices and labor market outcomes. For identification of causal effects, we exploit the random assignment of students to university sections in compulsory first-year courses. We present two main results. First, studying with higher-achieving peers has no statistically significant or economically meaningful effects on educational choices. Second, we find suggestive evidence that women who have been exposed to higher- achieving male peers end up in jobs in which they are more satisfied.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:jeborg:v:196:y:2022:i:c:p:200-219
Journal Field
Theory
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-25