Since its establishment in 1928, the E. J. Ourso College of Business has served as the flagship business college of Louisiana, playing an essential role in uplifting the state’s economy and its citizens’ well-being. Each year, the college graduates more than 1,000 exceptional students who are the business leaders and entrepreneurs of the future.
We are committed to delivering a superior academic and professional learning experience that prepares future business leaders for lifetime success. In support of the university and college’s mission, our dedicated faculty engage in cutting-edge, innovative research that directly and positively impacts the business community locally and abroad. The value of a business education from the E. J. Ourso College is readily seen in the success of our alumni and their continued support of the college throughout their professional careers.
A Message from the Dean
Reflecting on the previous year, I am encouraged by how our programs and students have roared back from a historic upheaval in our history—where our classrooms sat empty, and our mission had to be reimagined in real-time.
We emerged from this chapter stronger and poised to better prepare our students for a world where uncertainty is the norm and change is the only constant.
So, our goal, guided by our recently launched five-year strategic plan, is to foster resilient students whose academic experience serves as the foundation for a career that can adapt and evolve with our ever-changing world.
The real bottom line is our people. I am honored to be at the helm of this great college—supporting a formidable group of faculty who guide the next generation of business leaders.
I hope this report reminds you of what we've accomplished together and fuels our drive for the work ahead as we make a difference for our university, state, and region.
Jared J. Llorens
Dean, LSU E. J. Ourso College of Business
4,116 |
Declared Undergraduate Business Students (Campus and Online) |
1,765 |
Admitted Undergraduate Business Students (Campus and Online) |
733 |
Master’s students (Campus and Online) |
59 |
PhD students |
808 |
Bachelor’s Degrees |
443 |
Master’s Degrees |
12 |
Doctoral Degrees |
86 |
Graduate Certificates |
|
The college’s first online undergraduate degree was awarded in summer 2022. |
|
42.6% female
|
Gender Representation |
20.34% |
Historically Underrepresented Students |
In April, the college officially unveiled its five-year strategic plan. This plan, developed by Dean Llorens and the college leadership team with input from our constituents, will serve as a living guide for our programs and initiatives through 2026. It represents a renewed focus on our mission-critical activities in teaching, research, and service.
Our framework for the future includes a focus on four strategic priorities: student impact, research impact, economic impact, and global & societal impact. This plan will position the college to significantly improve the future of our students’ careers, the business enterprises they will lead, and the ability of our faculty to continue advancing scholarship in their respective fields.
From the moment they arrive on campus, students can rely on the Office of Business Student Success (OBSS). This team of professional, skilled advisors prepares E. J. Ourso College students to succeed academically and, ultimately, launch rewarding careers. They offer academic advising and counseling, career and professional development coaching, study abroad opportunities, and Business Residential College programming. As a result, our students are business-minded, professional, globally aware, innovative, and proactive about their future.
$232,883.26 |
total disbursement |
94 |
scholarship recipients |
All data reported is for the 2021-2022 academic year.
75.4% |
of 2020-2021 graduates report a positive post-graduate outcome* |
$65,362 |
average starting salary |
*Positive post-graduate outcomes include working, continuing education, military service, and not seeking employment.
This shift has led to an increased need for analysts who can help turn raw data into actionable insights. To meet this need, the Ourso College introduced its BS Business Analytics in fall 2021. While graduates of this program will thrive in any work environment, the interdisciplinary nature of the degree makes them well suited to have a significant impact on small business success. Areas of study include preparative analytics, predictive modeling, visual analytics, accounting, finance, management, and marketing.
Dean Appointed by President to Federal Salary Council
President Joe Biden appointed Dean Jared Llorens to a member role within the Federal
Salary Council. The Federal Salary Council is an advisory body of the executive branch
that provides recommendations on pay differentials for federal employees.
Read more.
Professor Honored by Association for Information Systems
The Association for Information Systems (AIS) selected Stephenson Department of Entrepreneurship
& Information Systems Professor Andrew Schwarz as an AIS Distinguished Member-Cum
Laude. Schwarz is one of only 194 individuals nationwide with this designation and
one of two professors at LSU who have achieved this honor.
Read more.
Assistant Professor wins 2021 Best in Track Paper Award
Department of Marketing Assistant Professor Kris Lindsey Hall and her co-authors recently
received the 2021 Best in Track Paper Award for Services, Retailing, and Customer
Experience at the American Marketing Association’s Summer Academic Conference. Only
eight “best in track” papers were awarded of the 150+ papers published.
Read more.
Professor Named Runner-Up for Goodeve Medal
Stephenson Department of Entrepreneurship & Information Systems Professor Young Chun's
single-authored paper "Information Economics Approach to the Performance Evaluation
of Error-Prone Internal Auditors" was named one of three runners-up for the Journal
of the Operational Research Society's Goodeve Medal.
Read more.
$7,488,523
Total Research Expenditures for 2020-2021
Top 3 Sources:
LDH and LSU EPRG Release Special Report on Health Access Disparities
Is Employee Well-Being More Important Than the Bottom Line When Considering Adoption of AI?
Professor Reginald Tucker received a research grant thanks to WorkRise
Money Managers Should Consider Including Option Momentum Strategy to Deliver More Outperformance
Do Sunk Costs Affect Prices in the Housing Market?
Collaboration and Resource Investment Can Positively Affect a Firm’s Logistics Performance
Total raised to support the E. J. Ourso College of Business in FY22
raised to support scholarships (included in FY22 total)
raised for the Dean’s Excellence Fund (included in FY22 total)
In September, the LSU Professional Sales Institute celebrated the opening of the Jim and Laura Parr Professional Sales Lab. This dedicated space features technology to help sales students to sharpen their B2B sales skills and prepare for competitions.
The lab is named in honor of visionary supporters Jim and Laura Parr. The Parrs’ service, generosity, and dedication play a significant role in PSI’s success.
b1BANK is expanding opportunities for LSU business students and military veterans through a partnership with the E. J. Ourso College of Business. To mark the partnership, the college unveiled the LSU-b1BANK Stock Ticker in the Business Education Complex Rotunda on May 17, 2021.
Ourso College alumni Roy O. Martin III and Kathy Kilpatrick Martin have expanded their support for the college with a new $650,000 commitment to graduate scholarships and faculty research.
This recently revived group recognizes donors who give at least $1,500 each year to the Dean’s Excellence Fund (DEF) or departmental development funds.
These gifts provide college leadership with the working capital needed to address critical needs and capitalize on opportunities to enhance the student experience or fuel innovation. The flexible nature of these funds allows for decisive action and maximum impact.
Sewing Down South’s Craig Conover successfully leveraged his role on Bravo’s “Southern Charm” to turn his passion for sewing and home décor into a thriving business. For the first stop on Conover’s tour in support of his book, Pillow Talk: What’s Wrong with my Sewing, he and his executive team visited the Business Education Complex to share lessons on entrepreneurship with graduate students from LSU’s Flores MBA Program.
LSU is the new host organization for the statewide network that provides training and technical support to small businesses and entrepreneurs throughout Louisiana. The new state office will be established at LSU Innovation Park. As the host organization, LSU will help manage the 10 regional offices and the approximately $4.4 million annual program budget funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Louisiana Economic Development, and the participating universities that house the regional SBDC offices.
Award-winning faculty from the E. J. Ourso College of Business and MBA students from the highly ranked Flores MBA Program offer specialized support and training at the regional SBDC located at LSU Innovation Park.
LSU’s Professional Sales Institute (PSI) was elevated to full membership status in the University Sales Center Alliance. PSI has officially met the rigorous requirements of full membership in the community of sales educators who are dedicated to advancing the sales profession through teaching, research, and outreach.
Best Master’s of Business Analytics Program
TFE Times (2022)
MBA Programs (Public)
U.S. News & World Report
(2023)
Best Undergraduate Programs (Public)
U.S. News & World Report (2022)
Online Undergraduate Business Programs
College Consensus (2022)
