Race, Nativity, and the Labor Market Returns to College Major–Occupation Alignment

This study investigates the relationship between college major choices and labor market outcomes, with particular attention to racial minorities and immigrants. Building on research on major–occupation alignment, we focus on two dimensions: linkage , the extent to which majors are concentrated in specific occupations in the labor market, and match , whether individuals work in occupations closely related to their majors. Using American Community Survey data, we find that earning bachelor’s degrees in majors with strong linkage is associated with higher earnings—particularly for workers in matched occupations—and lower unemployment. Notably, Black, Hispanic, and foreign-born workers appear to benefit more from major–occupation alignment than White and U.S.-born workers, though these relationships differ across immigrant destination contexts. Overall, the study findings provide descriptive evidence that racial and nativity differences in earnings and unemployment are smaller among individuals with majors tied to specific occupations and who work in jobs related to their majors.