Students who decide what subject to study because of the status and salary attached to jobs in that sector are more likely to drop out of university, according to Nijmegen-based research group ResearchNed.

Some 4,000 first year university and hbo college students were monitored for the research. Around 25% of university and one third of college students dropped out after their first year.
Students who had chosen a subject based on the contents and their own interests were less likely to quit than those who were looking at future earnings.
An interview about their motives would help steer students in more suitable directions and reduce the drop-out rate, the researchers said.