This study aimed to examine the level of academic grit among final-year students in the Early Childhood Education (PG PAUD) program and to analyze its relationship with students’ reasons for choosing their major, specifically between autonomous choice (self-determined) and non-autonomous choice (parental influence or external recommendation). A quantitative survey design was employed, involving 55 final-year students completing their thesis. Data were collected using the Academic Grit Scale (Clark & Malecki, 2019), adapted to the Indonesian context. The findings revealed that students generally demonstrated high levels of academic grit (M = 41.98), with 94.5% categorized as high to very high. ANOVA results indicated no statistically significant differences in grit levels based on reasons for choosing the major [F(2,52) = 0.782, p = 0.463, η² = 0.029]. Although students who chose their major autonomously showed slightly higher grit scores compared to those who followed external recommendations, the differences were not significant. These results suggest that the relationship between autonomous choice and grit is complex and mediated by motivational internalization, satisfaction of basic psychological needs, and the quality of the learning environment. In the collectivist cultural context of Indonesia, family influence does not necessarily hinder grit development, as long as students succeed in internalizing the values behind their choice. This study highlights practical implications for university counseling services, particularly in facilitating the internalization of professional values and supporting the identity development of students as future early childhood educators.