How Degree Major and Demographic Factors Influence Employment and Earnings for College Graduates With Visual Impairments

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the predictors of employment and earnings for college graduates with visual impairments, with an emphasis on the impact of college degree major on these outcomes. We utilized American Community Survey data to conduct a multinomial logistic regression analysis predicting employment (full-time/full-year versus less than full-time/full-year and not working) and a multiple regression analysis predicting annual earnings. Our predictor variables included demographic factors previously related to employment outcomes plus 25 college degree majors. Degree majors explained little variance in employment and earnings, although several specific majors were associated with these outcomes. Five majors predicted both: Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Nursing, Accounting, and Finance. Age, gender, race, receipt of Social Security benefits, additional disabilities, having an advanced degree, and class of worker (earnings model only) were stronger predictors of employment outcomes than degree major. Degree majors that had significant relationships with earnings and employment in our study generally coincide with those for the general population. Vocational rehabilitation counselors should inform their consumers with visual impairments who are pursuing a college degree of differences in earnings and employment rates based on degree major.