Differences in College Major Choice by Sexual Orientation

Abstract

Midwest Economics Association 2025 Best Undergraduate Presentation, Runner UpThis study examines whether LGBTQ+ Americans, specifically those in same-sex couples, differ from heterosexual individuals in their college major choices and how these choices affect earnings. Using 2009–2022 American Community Survey data, it finds that gay men are more likely to choose majors in Arts and Humanities and less likely to enter STEM or Business fields, while lesbian women are overrepresented in Arts, Humanities, and STEM but underrepresented in Business and Education. Gay men are significantly more likely to select female-dominated and lower-paying majors, while lesbians' choices show a weaker pattern towards male-dominated majors. In the sample, gay men earn 26% less than straight men, while lesbians earn 20% more than straight women. An Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition shows differences in major choices accounting for a 5.1% income reduction for gay men, accounting for 20% of the wage gap between gay and straight men. Differences in major choice contribute to a 2.7% reduction in income for lesbians. Differences in returns to majors were not significant except for Medical Sciences for women. Overall, major choice plays a meaningful but partial role in LGBTQ+ wage disparities.No embargoAcademic Major: Economic