Factors Influencing the Performance of Non-Economics Majors in an Introductory Economics Course

Abstract

This research compares factors which influence success for economics and non-economics majors in an introductory economics course. Results show economics majors achieve 5% higher grades which may indicate increased motivation and interest by these students. Performance at secondary school and prior economics study are positively related to success, and mathematics ability is the largest determinant of success across both economics and non-economics majors. History, politics and law majors do significantly better in macroeconomics than microeconomics and overall outperformed all other non-economics majors. Computer science and sociology students were the least successful with computer science students doing particularly badly in macroeconomics.