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East Baton Rouge Parish – Colleges/Universities 2023-2024

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Universities play a crucial role in shaping local economies by driving employment, fostering business growth, attracting investment, and enhancing the overall quality of life in their host communities. Their economic impact extends beyond direct spending to include long-term benefits such as workforce development, innovation, and cultural enrichment. Below, we explore the key ways in which a university influences a local economy.

  1. Direct Employment and Spending A university is often one of the largest employers in a local area, providing jobs for faculty, administrative staff, maintenance workers, and other professionals. These employees spend their salaries on housing, groceries, transportation, and entertainment, injecting money into the local economy. Additionally, universities spend significant amounts on construction, utilities, and local services, further stimulating business activity.

    Students also contribute to local spending. Many bring outside money into the community through tuition payments, federal aid, and personal expenditures on rent, food, and retail. A large student population can sustain businesses such as bookstores, coffee shops, restaurants, and housing providers.

  2. Business Development and Entrepreneurship Universities often serve as hubs for innovation and entrepreneurship. Research institutions, business incubators, and technology transfer offices help commercialize academic research, leading to startup formation and industry partnerships. For example, Stanford University's role in Silicon Valley's growth demonstrates how academic institutions can spur regional economic development.

    Local businesses benefit from university partnerships, including procurement contracts for supplies, catering, and maintenance services. Furthermore, universities attract conferences, sporting events, and cultural activities that generate tourism revenue for hotels, restaurants, and transportation services.

  3. Human Capital and Workforce Development A well-educated workforce is essential for economic competitiveness. Universities produce graduates with specialized skills that attract high-paying industries, such as technology, healthcare, and finance. Many graduates remain in the area, filling critical roles in local businesses and government.

    Universities also offer continuing education programs, professional certifications, and workforce training initiatives that help upskill local employees, making the regional labor market more adaptable to industry changes.

  4. Real Estate and Infrastructure Growth The presence of a university can drive demand for housing, both from students and faculty. This often leads to the development of new apartments, condominiums, and mixed-use commercial spaces. Over time, universities contribute to urban revitalization by investing in campus expansions, public transit improvements, and community amenities like libraries and parks.

    However, rapid growth can also lead to challenges, such as rising housing costs and gentrification, which may displace long-term residents. Local governments must balance economic expansion with policies that ensure affordable housing and equitable development.

  5. Cultural and Social Contributions Beyond economics, universities enrich local culture through arts programs, public lectures, and athletic events. These activities improve residents' quality of life, making the area more attractive to businesses and skilled workers. A vibrant university town often sees increased property values and a more diverse, engaged community.


Conclusion

The economic impact of a university on a local economy is multifaceted, encompassing job creation, business growth, talent development, and infrastructure investment. While challenges such as affordability and displacement must be managed, the long-term benefits-including innovation, increased tax revenues, and a more dynamic workforce-make universities vital engines of regional prosperity. By fostering collaboration between academia, government, and industry, communities can maximize these advantages while ensuring inclusive growth.
 
Louisiana Culinary Institute
Remington College-Baton Rouge Campus  
Delta College of Arts & Technology  
Fortis College-Baton Rouge  
ITI Technical College  
Southern University Law Center  
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University  
River Parishes Community College  
Southern University and A & M College  
Baton Rouge Community College  
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College  
Percent admitted - total
Admissions yield - total

Full-time enrollment
Part-time enrollment

Total  enrollment
% White
% Black
% Asian
% Hispanic
% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
% American Indian or Alaska Native
% two or more races
% Race/ethnicity unknown
% U.S. Nonresident

Undergraduate enrollment
% under 18
% 18-24
% 25-64
% over 65

Graduate enrollment

Student-to-faculty ratio

Tuition and fees, 2020-21
2021-22
2022-23
2023-24

Total price for
In-district students living on campus  2023-24
In-state students living on campus 2023-24
Out-of-state students living on campus 2023-24

In-district students living off campus (no family)  2023-24
In-state students living off campus (no family)  2023-24
Out-of-state students living off campus (no family)  2023-24

In-district students living off campus (w/ family)  2023-24
In-state students living off campus (w/ family)  2023-24
Out-of-state students living off campus (w/ family)  2023-24

Associate's degree
Bachelor's degree
Master's degree
Doctor's degree - research/scholarship
Doctor's degree - professional practice
Doctor's degree - other

Instructional FTE
Research FTE
Public Service FTE
Librarians, Curators, and Archivists FTE
Student/Academic Affairs and Other Education Services FTE
Management FTE
Business and Financial Operations FTE
Computer, Engineering, and Science FTE
Community Service, Legal, Arts, and Media FTE
Healthcare FTE
Service FTE
Sales and Related FTE
Office and Administrative Support FTE
Natural Resources, Construction, and Maintenance FTE
Production, Transportation, and Material Moving FTE
Total FTE staff
74
24

32,776
6,642

39,418
60
18
4
9
0
0
3
1
4

32,574
11
84
5
0

6,844

20

11,962
11,958
11,954
11,954


35,218
35,218
51,895

37,144
37,144
53,821

20,922
20,922
37,599

0
4,839
1,626
299
289
0

1,451
259
273
79
188
385
784
949
356
235
695
3
822
324
6
6,809
NA
NA

3,872
6,987

10,859
31
57
1
5
0
0
3
1
1

10,859
23
41
36
0

0

29

4,221
4,221
4,221
4,221


NA
NA
NA

20,643
20,643
20,643

10,681
10,681
10,681

525
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

236
0
0
2
2
51
66
5
6
0
31
0
8
3
1
411
50
28

5,653
1,688

7,341
5
87
2
2
0
0
1
2
0

5,848
7
85
8
0

1,493

21

9,340
9,842
9,940
9,940


26,076
25,984
33,334

27,178
27,086
34,436

16,710
16,618
23,968

0
580
250
35
193
0

348
30
42
16
18
63
60
45
124
10
120
0
146
61
4
1,087
NA
NA

1,365
1,041

2,406
44
41
1
6
0
0
3
5
0

2,406
21
53
26
0

0

23

4,079
4,079
4,079
4,079


NA
NA
NA

22,640
22,640
22,640

11,303
11,303
11,303

300
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

80
0
0
2
0
22
35
0
0
0
1
0
1
2
0
143
83
21

725
479

1,204
69
17
4
6
0
1
0
3
0

862
1
64
34
0

342

10

14,535
14,614
15,012
15,690


NA
NA
NA

37,814
37,814
37,814

20,922
20,922
20,922

18
138
62
0
69
0

87
0
0
2
11
26
7
4
7
0
0
1
14
0
0
159
NA
NA

699
209

908
5
87
2
2
0
0
1
2
0

723
7
85
8
0

185

NA

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

0
119
51
7
39
0

54
0
0
3
0
22
21
4
0
0
0
0
20
2
0
126
NA
NA

513
0

513
50
43
0
4
0
0
2
0
0

513
0
62
38
0

0

12

11,156
11,156
11,711
11,711


NA
NA
NA

29,181
29,181
29,181

22,449
22,449
22,449

195
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

44
0
0
0
0
12
4
1
0
0
0
4
8
1
0
74
NA
NA

461
0

461
12
82
1
3
0
0
1
1
0

461
0
55
45
0

0

31

15,030
15,179
15,881
16,167


NA
NA
NA

36,270
36,270
36,270

21,420
21,420
21,420

38
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

15
0
0
0
0
5
3
0
6
0
0
0
1
0
0
30
NA
NA

288
0

288
10
85
0
2
0
0
3
0
0

288
0
35
64
0

0

13

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

11
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

23
0
0
0
0
2
2
0
0
0
0
7
7
1
0
42
NA
NA

138
0

138
7
90
0
1
0
0
2
0
0

138
0
27
73
0

0

25

17,849
19,957
14,968
15,144


NA
NA
NA

30,266
30,266
30,266

21,080
21,080
21,080

9
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

5
0
0
0
0
3
1
0
0
0
0
2
1
0
0
12
49
91

90
0

90
72
22
0
1
1
0
0
3
0

90
0
74
26
0

0

16

14,575
14,575
15,575
15,575


NA
NA
NA

37,023
37,023
37,023

24,063
24,063
24,063

53
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

6
0
0
0
3
3
2
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
16


Sources: STI: PopStats and STI: Colossus