Functional impairment and the choice of college major

Abstract

This paper examines the relationship between expected lifetime wages, comparison wages, and the choice of college major for individuals with functional impairment. Individuals with functional impairment are expected to choose college majors where they have a comparative advantage relative to non-impaired students. Data from the National Survey of College Graduates show that individuals with functional impairment choose majors based on expected earnings, and anticipated differences in earnings from the non-impaired. © 2010 EEA.