When it comes to the number of bachelor’s degrees in a parish or county, East Baton Rouge Parish is ahead of the national curve.
In East Baton Rouge, more than 32 percent of adults have a bachelor’s degree, a figure higher than the national average of 27.5 percent and Louisiana’s average of 20.6 percent, according to The Chronicle of Higher Education.
The Chronicle published an interactive online map Jan. 23, based on information from 1940 to 2009 census reports, showing the percentages of adults who possess bachelor’s degrees in each county or parish across the country. The map allows users to view information for specific sexes, races and income levels.
Of the 32.1 percent of adults with bachelor’s degrees in East Baton Rouge, about 41 percent are white, 18.8 percent are black, 26.5 percent are Hispanic and 51.2 percent are Asian.
East Baton Rouge Parish has earned one of the highest percentages in the state, along with St. Tammany and Lincoln Parishes, with 30.1 percent and 31.2 percent, respectively.
These, along with Orleans and Lafayette Parishes, are the only parishes in Louisiana above or on par with the national average.
In 1940, about 8 percent of adults in East Baton Rouge Parish had degrees compared to 4.6 percent in the nation.
Since then, the percentage in East Baton Rouge has continued to climb and has consistently been above the national average.
Jonathan Fayard, finance sophomore, said he thinks more East Baton Rouge Parish residents have bachelor’s degrees because it’s where the University is located.
He said students decide to stay and get jobs in Baton Rouge after graduation.
“Everybody kind of sticks around,” Fayard said.
Fayard said the state average should be higher, especially because of the amount of aid available to prospective students. Fayard said he’s able to attend the University because of TOPS and without it, he may not have been able to get a degree. And he said he believes other Louisiana residents may be in the same situation.
 
 
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Contact Rachel Warren at [email protected]