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BIMSA Digital Economy Lab Seminar
BIMSA Digital Economy Lab Seminar
Understanding the STEM Gender Gap: The Role of Interests and Preferences in Educational Choice
Understanding the STEM Gender Gap: The Role of Interests and Preferences in Educational Choice
Organizers
Johansson Anders
,
Ruize Gao
,
Liyan Han
,
Zhen Li
,
Jin Liu
,
Fei Long
,
Dongbo Shi
,
Ke Tang
, Xing Yan
,
Qi Zhang
Speaker
Time
Friday, May 15, 2026 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Venue
A3-2-303
Online
Zoom 435 529 7909
(BIMSA)
Abstract
This paper studies how subjective expectations shape educational choices and contribute to the STEM gender gap. Using detailed data on students’ expected earnings, non-pecuniary amenities, and ranked field preferences, we estimate a utility-based model that allows us to quantify students’ willingness to pay (WTP) for different educational amenities. We show that expected enjoyment of coursework and future work, interpreted as proxies for underlying interests in the content of study and work, is a key determinant of educational choice. Gender differences in these interests account for a substantial share of the observed STEM gender gap, even after controlling for expected earnings and other outcomes. The findings highlight the central role of non-pecuniary considerations and interests in educational choice and gender differences in sorting into STEM fields.