Motivations for Chinese Students Choosing a college Major

Abstract

This study aimed at exploring the main determinants of college major choice in China, and how factors stemming from the rational choice framework contribute to the final decision. Based on China’s Gaokao policy, this paper evaluated the fitness of rational choice theory for Chinese students choosing college majors and analyzed the decision mechanisms adopting primary and secondary effects, Coleman’s model, and the thin and thick models. Specifically, the choice of a college major is a result generated by the balance of risks, costs, and benefits, influenced by preferences and values, and shaped by certain macro-level conditions. Certain social influences have been emphasized in Chinese society.