A Meta-Analysis of the Gender Gap in Performance in Collegiate Economics Courses

Abstract

We use meta-regression analysis to investigate the extent and nature of the gender gap - that male students outperform otherwise equivalent female students in economics courses. We survey 65 studies containing 279 distinct regressions from the past 30 years and conclude that the gender gap is neither as pervasive nor as significant as generally believed. In only 39% of regressions reported in these studies did male students statistically significantly outperform their female counterparts. Using probit analysis, we also find evidence of a decreasing likelihood of identifying a gender gap over time, though study design continues to have a larger effect.

Keywords: Gender Gap, Economics Education, Meta Regression Analysis

JEL Classification: A2, A20, A22