2025-2026
Ourso Bottom Line 
Report

 

 

A message from the dean

Welcome to the 2025–2026 Ourso Bottom Line, the annual report of the E. J. Ourso College of Business. The name is deliberate. In business, the bottom line is the measure that matters most; for us, it is the return we deliver to our students, our partners, and our state.

This year, we had impressive outcomes in two areas strongly linked to our mission.

Student Success: We achieved an all-time high for the share of graduates reporting positive outcomes. Starting salaries remain quite strong, with our Flores MBA Program graduates breaking the $100,000 threshold.

Research Excellence: We are proud to have contributed to LSU surpassing $600 million in annual research activity — a fifth consecutive record year for the flagship.

To help harness and focus this momentum, we spent much of the year building an annual plan anchored in return on investment and impact. That sharper focus positions us to build on progress already underway: rising enrollment, stronger career outcomes, growing research output, and service to the business community in areas like artificial intelligence.

Together, these achievements reflect a college that measures success not by activity, but by the value we create. Thank you for being part of it. 

For the best viewing experience, we recommend browsing the Ourso Bottom Line on your desktop, laptop, or tablet.

Dean Crook wears a charcoal suit and purple tie.

Dean Russell Crook

 

MEASURES THAT MATTER.

Increased enrollment. More degrees earned. More graduates hired. Behind the statistics is a simple promise: a degree from the E. J. Ourso College should pay for itself many times over through career advancement, higher salaries, and transformed communities. The measure of a leading business school is not in the credentials on the wall but in the lives and livelihoods changed by what happens here.

 

OUR REACH

TOTAL ENROLLMENT

  AY 2025-2026 % Increase Since 2020
Total Enrolled Students* 6,645 +50.4%
Undergraduate 5,729 +64.6% declared pre-business, +44.9% admitted 
Graduate 916 +24.8%
Graduate Certificate 24 +166.7%

*Includes campus and online students in University College, admitted majors, and graduate programs as of Fall 2025.

 

ENROLLMENT BY MAJOR

Undergraduate*

807
BS Accounting		 1,533
BS General Business
249
BS Business Analytics		 332
BS ISDS & BS ISA**
134
BS Economics 		 118
BS International Trade & Finance 
160
BS Entrepreneurship		 257
BS Management
1,147
BS Finance		 992
BS Marketing

* Includes only students admitted to the college (campus and online). University College, exchange program, and non-matriculating students are not included.
** Information Systems and Decision Sciences & Information Systems and Analytics.

Graduate

57
Master of Accountancy (MAcc)		 23
MS Finance
54
MS Analytics		 3
MS Financial Economics
608
MBA		 93
Master of Public Administration
54
PhD Students 

 

 

OURSO IMPACT

24%

Increase in college applications

9,808

LSU Students took at least one business course in Fall 2025

Top 10

General business and finance are among LSU's most popular majors.

3rd largest

LSU senior college by enrollment

 

OUR Results

1,058

Bachelor’s degrees conferred

639

Master's degrees conferred

12

Doctoral degrees conferred

160

Graduate certificates conferred

Degrees awarded are based on the LSU President's Report and the preliminary count of degrees for summer 2026.

92%

of graduates reported positive post-graduate outcomes*

*Ourso College graduates in AY24-25

$77,266

average starting salary - all graduates

93%

of MBA graduates secured a job by 6 months post-graduation

$100,834

average starting salary of MBA graduates

THE FIRST DESTINATION OF OURSO GRADUATES

The Ourso College prepares graduates to succeed from day one with a growth mindset that leads to sustained advancement throughout their careers. This data shows a snapshot of 2024-2025 our graduates' first destinations after LSU. See the university-wide dashboard.

Top Hiring Employers

Acadian Consulting Group

Arrive Logistics

BASF

Chevron

Deloitte

EisnerAmper

ENFRA (formerly Bernhard)

Ernst & Young

Fidelity Investments

Gallagher

Grant Thornton

Hannis T. Bourgeois

JPMorgan Chase & Co

KPMG

Louisiana Legislative Auditor

Louisiana State University

Northwestern Mutual

Wells Fargo

Top Employment Destinations 

  1. Louisiana

  2. Texas 

  3. Florida

  4. Georgia 

  5. New York

 

Our Rankings

#13

Best Master’s of Business Analytics

- TFE Times - 2026

#48

Best MBA Program for Veterans

- US. News & World Report - 2026

↑26 

spots on U.S. News Best Undergraduate Business Programs

- The college rose to T-88 overall.

A PLAN FOR EXCELLENCE AND ROI

Developed through a collaborative process with more than 1,300 points of stakeholder feedback, the Ourso College's 2026-31 Strategic Plan focuses our work on advancing the university's research and reputational ambitions, maximizing our students' return on investment, and impacting the business community.

Our goal is to establish the Ourso College as a nationally recognized leader in research — upholding rigorous standards of traditional scholarship and championing applied research.

Our goal is to develop students who enter the professional world with confidence, equipped with the right skill set and mindset to succeed in both the short and long term.

Our goal is to deliver consistently excellent, engaged, and future-focused educational experiences that evolve with the needs of students and the demands of business and society.

Our goal is to transform our alumni and industry relationships into deeply engaged, sustained, and mutually beneficial partnerships.

Our goal is to operate as a cohesive college community with the infrastructure that enables our people to perform at their best.

 

AI INNOVATION

At LSU, colleges and units are united in their mission to ensure the state is well-positioned to make the most of recent multi-billion-dollar investments in artificial intelligence. The Ourso College is committed to meeting workforce needs and inspiring future innovators by offering educational programs and exploring AI's impact on our economy, communities, and future.

AI in Action: What comes after experimentatioN

A group of men address the packed room in the LSU Student Union. The moderator holds up a pad of paper and there is a raised hand in the audience.

On March 20, the Ourso College hosted its second AI in Action Symposium, bringing together leaders from Louisiana's business, healthcare, technology and public sectors to explore what comes after AI experimentation. 

Speakers from The Idea Village, S1 Technology, Community Coffee, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System and the Louisiana Department of Health pressed a consistent theme: the constraint on AI adoption is rarely the technology. It's what one panelist called "human infrastructure" — the policies, culture and judgment that determine whether a tool creates value or risk. Attendees left with practical guidance on governance, hiring, and leading through change, drawn from peers facing the same transition.

Explore the key takeaways from the event.

 

Geaux AI Economy Initiative

Geaux AI Economy is an LSU initiative dedicated to examining the ways artificial intelligence (AI) is impacting Louisiana's economy, communities, and future. Researchers from the Center for Economics, Business & Policy Research will use employer surveys and other data, to explore AI adoption, investment plans, changes to hiring practices, and more.

Sign up for surveys, report drops, and initiative updates.

Baton Rouge Business Report

 

Advancing AI Conversations, Adoption

From restaurants managing reservations to hair salons personalizing marketing emails, artificial intelligence is a regular part of how small businesses get work done. Associate Professor A. J. Burns shares guidance to help business owners take advantage of these tools while keeping their data safe.

Read Burns' advice. 

In the LSU College of Engineering's capstone-style computer science course, teams of engineering and business students use artificial intelligence to address a workplace challenge submitted by an industry sponsor. In addition to hands-on technical experience in large language models (LLMs), the course offers valuable lessons in critical thinking, leadership, and collaboration.

Learn about the fall 2025 course showcase.

Professor Andrew Schwarz was part of a team of interdisciplinary experts who shaped the content for LSU's newly launched AI Literacy Essentials, a free online course that provides a general introduction to artificial intelligence (AI) and how to use it effectively, professionally, and ethically. 

Learn more and take the course. 

 

STUDENTS

To cultivate a growth mindset and prepare students for long-term success, the Ourso College combines rigorous coursework with experiences that develop communication and leadership skills along with tenacity and integrity. This results in students committed to achieving results not just for their own benefit, but for their organizations and their communities. 

 

defining the future of business

The Ourso Outstanding Eight are selected for excellence in academics, leadership, professional development, and service. What does it mean to succeed in business? Our 2026 honorees may make you rethink your answer. Explore their profiles and discover how they are shaping the future of business.

Maria Anzola headshot in a blue wrap shirt, her hair is straight and she smiles warmly.

María Valentina Anzola
Taking Risks, Leading Change

Fernando holds his hand in an L shape and wears a pale blue polo and khakis.

Fernando Cárcamo Soler
Invested in People

Chloe wears a black blouse and pale pink blazer. Her arms are crossed in front of her body and she smiles warmly.

Chloe Chehardy
More than the Bottom Line

Christen wears a white suit with skirt and a bright blue blouse. Her arms are crossed in front of her.

Christen Chehardy
An Unexpected Path to Medicine

Alex wears a checked oxford and smiles.

Alexander Doga
Healing Through Innovation

Mekhi wears a purple polo with a retro Mike logo embroidered on it.

Mekhi Glover
Service at the Center

Macy McCalip wears black slacks and a white wrap blouse with a tie on the side.

Macy McCalip
Blooming in BR & Beyond

Svenya wears jeans and a black blouse with ruffle-edge sleeves

Svenya Stoyanoff
Finding Her Stride

 

Ourso Students on Top

Finance Major Wins PIMCO Scholarship

Zyan Williams wears a dark suit and smiles warmly as he stands in front of a branded wall, the LSU logo appears over his head.
Finance major Zyan Williams '28 is one of 50 students nationwide selected for the PIMCO Foundation Future Leaders Scholarship. To be considered for the $20,000 award, students must be sophomores pursuing a degree in a financial services-related field. Applicants were evaluated on academics, work experience, leadership and involvement, and essay and video submissions.

Read about Zyan's honor.

 

Among LSU's Best:
Ourso in the Tiger Twelve

Anna Kathleen wears a decorative brocade blouse with golden thread
Anna Kathleen Jackson (BS Marketing '26) was named to the Tiger Twelve Class of 2026, LSU’s highest student honor. Selected from the entire graduating senior class, Jackson was recognized for her exceptional commitment to academic excellence, campus leadership, and community service. Her achievement reflects the values at the heart of the Ourso College experience.

Meet the Tiger Twelve.

 

Surge in CFA Level I
Pass Rate

Male student wears an LSU hoodie and works on a financial assignment at a computer.
A growing number of finance students and recent graduates are reaching an important milestone in their professional journeys: passing the CFA Level I exam—one of the most rigorous and respected benchmarks in the finance industry. The 10-year average pass rate for the CFA Level I exam is just 43%, while the most recent cohort of LSU students have achieved an 86% pass rate.

Learn more about this impressive pass rate.

 

MBA Team Places 4th in
SEC Case Competition

Flores MBA team holds a large cardboard check in front of a balloon display.

A team of LSU Flores MBA students advanced to the finals and placed fourth overall at the 13th annual SEC MBA Case Competition, hosted by the Mays Business School - Texas A&M University. The contest challenges business students to solve real-world problems, with Dell Technologies serving as this year’s case client.

Review the full results

 

Gaining Business, Cultural Insights in Taiwan

Faculty and students wear casual attire and stand in front of a statue in Taiwan.

Over winter break, 18 Ourso College students traded Baton Rouge for bustling night markets, high-speed trains, and cutting-edge tech hubs. Business in Taiwan blended classroom concepts with on-the-ground learning, giving students a rare, in-depth look at one of Asia's most dynamic economies as they explored temples, museums, and neighborhoods.

Read the journey recap.

 

Finance Students in Top 1% of Global Competition

A trio of business students hold Bloomberg tumblers in the SMART Lab. They wear professional attire.

A group of LSU business students finished in the top 1 percent of worldwide competitors in Bloomberg's 2025 Global Trading Challenge. With 2,394 teams in the competition, Brennan Davis, Dakota Espinosa, and Landyn Sonnier, finished in 20th place worldwide and 6th place among teams from North America.

More on the students' big win.

 

Student Organizations Shine on the National Stage

Business-focused student organizations continued to thrive this year, helping students expand their professional networks, gain leadership experience, and make important contributions to their respective fields and communities. Below are a few recognitions earned from Ourso organizations. 

  • The Beta Chi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Psi was commended at the 63rd Alpha Kappa Psi Convention in New Orleans for their dedication to growth on both the chapter and national level. 

  • The Beta Alpha Psi Phi Chapter earned Gold Chapter status for excellence in academics, professionalism, and ethical leadership.

  • In addition to earning accredited chapter status, LSU Beta Zeta Chapter was recognized as the Most Improved Collegiate Chapter (regional), Outstanding Professional Activities (provincial), and R. Nelson Mitchell Outstanding Collegiate Chapter Award (national).

  • The Society for Human Resource Management at LSU received the SHRM Merit Award for outstanding achievements in student chapter operations and a commitment to providing meaningful programs and services for members and HR students in the community. 

  • Women in Business earned "Gold Distinction" from LSU Campus Life. This is the highest honor an LSU student organization can receive; only four organizations achieved this level in 2026. 

 

RESEARCH

Ourso College faculty and students produce insights that shape economic development, inform public policy, and sharpen organizational decision-making — from quantifying the impact of major events to earning top honors. This commitment to applied, interdisciplinary scholarship strengthens LSU's standing as a leading public research university and delivers lasting value to business and society.

By The Numbers

78

Scholarly publications in AY25-26

42

A-level publications

$5.27M

Research Expenditures from Sponsored Programs (Grants)

- FY26

 

Research That Addresses the Critical Issues of Our Time

attendees at the lsu microeconomics workshop

Professor Naci Mocan in the LSU Department of Economics hosted an Applied Microeconomics Workshop with the support of the LSU Provost's Fund for Innovation in Research. Welcoming renowned economists from a wide array of institutions such as Harvard University and the Swedish Institute for Social Research, this day-long event featured a series of rigorous presentations and discussions exploring the intersection of economic theory, data, and social outcomes.

Learn more about the Provost's Fund for Innovation in Research.

 

Spotlight on the Finance Mardi Gras Conference

A group of attendees listening intently to a speaker

The LSU Department of Finance held the second annual Finance Mardi Gras Conference, attracting top finance scholars from across the nation for a day of cutting-edge research presentations, panel discussions, and a keynote by Maureen O’Hara (Cornell). Timed to align with Louisiana’s most vibrant cultural celebration, the conference uniquely blends intellectual exchange with an authentic local experience, positioning LSU as an anchor of financial scholarship.

Learn more about the conference. 

 

Advancing the Field: Research Excellence Recognized

Our faculty earned top honors this year for research in management and marketing.

Thomas Greckhamer, chair of the Rucks Department of Management, received the 2025 C-CUBES Outstanding Research & Impact Award from the Rice University Business Center for Customer-Based Execution & Strategy for the paper “Stakeholder engagement strategies, national institutions, and firm performance: A configurational perspective." 
Read the paper.

 

Charlotte Jacobs, assistant professor in the Rucks Department of Management, received the Best Conference Paper Award from the Knowledge & Innovation Interest Group of the Strategic Management Society (SMS) for “Shaping the industry knowledge base: Knowledge-building by diversifying firms and the uptake of their non-endemic knowledge.”

 

Kris Lindsey-Hall, associate professor in the Department of Marketing, received the Roland T. Rush Best Article Award. She co-authored the study, "Profiling as a Service Failure," with alumni Candice Marti ('25) and Patrick Fennell ('17). Their study broke new ground in understanding how profiling and negative stereotypes impact customer experiences from start to finish.
Read the paper.

 

 

Research@Ourso

Our mission is to establish the Ourso College as a nationally recognized leader in research — upholding rigorous standards of traditional scholarship and championing applied research. Explore some of our latest findings below.

 

 

FACULTY

Faculty are the engine of our return on investment. As dedicated educators and mentors, they prepare students for careers that deliver measurable value long after graduation. As productive researchers, they generate discoveries that shape industry practice and public policy while advancing LSU's research ambitions. Their achievements are a direct reflection of our commitment to excellence, and of the momentum behind it.

Wearing a dark suit, R. Kelley Pace provides remarks from behind a podium at the Boyd Professor ceremony. This is an outdoor, evening event on a rooftop in Baton Rouge. The lighting is warm and inviting.

R. Kelley Pace named boyd professor

Professor R. Kelley Pace, Department of Finance, became the second LSU business faculty member to be named a Boyd Professor by the LSU Board of Supervisors. This award was created in 1953 to recognize faculty whose scholarship has achieved national and international distinction and whose contributions bring enduring prestige to LSU. Since its inception, only 79 faculty members across the LSU System have received this title.

Pace is an internationally recognized scholar in spatial econometrics and real estate dynamics. With more than 17,000 citations, he has made influential contributions at the intersection of finance, climate change, mortgage risk, and insurance markets. His co-authored book, Introduction to Spatial Econometrics, has been cited more than 9,100 times and is widely regarded as a foundational reference in the field.

meet the boyd professors

 

New faces, new Expertise

The Ourso College welcomed new faculty members this year across disciplines, including finance, information systems, and management—each one bringing fresh ideas and expertise that will strengthen instruction and research alike.

 

Learn about the new ourso faculty

John Lajaunie's headshot in a blue blazer and oxford.

Yusi Ma wears a sage turtleneck and khaki coat.

Andrew MacKinley headshot in a blue suit and striped tie

Ren Shuhao wears a dark suit in this studio headshot.

Hisan Yang wears a dark oxford in this headshot.

 

 

New Leaders take the helm

Faik Koray was appointed associate dean for research, faculty, and academic affairs. Dana Hart serves as senior assistant dean and director of operations. This new role oversees a variety of academic support and administrative functions. This transition coincides with Helmut Schneider's decision to retire as executive associate dean. 
Read about the team.

Jared Soileau, an associate professor in the Department of Accounting, was appointed director of the LSU Center for Internal Auditing & Cybersecurity Risk Management following the retirement of Glenn Sumners, who established the center in 1985. Soileau is an LSU alum and graduate of program.
Learn about CIA&CRM's future.

Dana Hollie was chosen to lead the Department of Accounting following Tommy Phillip's retirement. Hollie served on the LSU faculty from 2009 to 2018 and rejoined the university in 2022. In the interim, she was a visiting scholar in financial economics at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. 
Learn about Hollie's appointment.

Suzette Caleo was named chair of the Department of Public Administration. Caleo has served on the LSU faculty since 2012, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in public management, human resource management, organizational behavior, data analytics, and program evaluation. 
Read about Caleo's new role.

 

Faculty Recognition & Impact

Associate Professor Roy Heidelberg, Department of Public Administration, was named the 2025-26 Erich and Lea Sternberg Honors Professor by the LSU Roger Hadfield Ogden Honors College. This honor recognizes his contributions in teaching and research.

Gabriele Piccoli, professor in the Stephenson Department of Entrepreneurship & Information Systems, was named a Distinguished Member – Cum Laude by the Association for Information Systems (AIS). This recognition is awarded to individuals who have maintained continuous AIS membership for a minimum of 10 years, served in a leadership role within AIS or related activities, and published at least four articles in AIS or AIS-affiliated journals.

Dan Rice, professor in the Department of Marketing, was named a 2024 Outstanding Reviewer for the Journal of Consumer Marketing. Rice also serves as an associate editor for the journal and was one of just three honorees, who together processed a total of 80 original and revised manuscripts.

Professor Andrew Schwarz, Stephenson Department of Entrepreneurship & Information Systems, and fellow team members from the Iberia Parish Clean Energy Hub were one of 10 teams selected as finalists in the Gulf Futures Challenge from The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. They received a $300,000 grant to establish a clean energy hub integrating solar, agrivoltaics, carbon capture, and workforce training with digital twin simulations to enhance climate resilience, environmental restoration, and economic opportunity for underserved communities.

Ourso College professors Thomas Greckhamer, Rudy Hirschheim, R. Kelley Pace, and Gabriele Piccoli have been listed on the Stanford/Elsevier global Top 2% Scientists List for 2025. The list, updated annually and published on the Elsevier Data Repository, identifies the top 2% of scientists worldwide by standardized citation metrics.

 

 

ALUMNI

Ourso alumni are more than ambassadors — they're a source of strength. They lead companies, build ventures, shape public policy, and mentor the next generation, carrying the college's spirit wherever they go. Their success and sustained engagement reflect both the enduring value of an Ourso education and a network that builds with each graduating class. This year, we honored their achievements, their milestones, and the connections that hold this community together.

 

Honoring Alumni Excellence

2025 Hall of Distinction & Outstanding Young Alum

Each year, the E. J. Ourso College of Business honors alumni and friends whose lives and work embody the values we strive to instill in our students. The Hall of Distinction is a celebration of the professional and personal successes that shape industries, communities, and the world around us.

In 2025, the college proudly inducted Kurt Ainsworth, Patrick Evans, and Stephen Toups into the Hall of Distinction and honored Laust Helmig as the Outstanding Young Alum. These honorees are at the top of their respective fields, demonstrating the power of an LSU business degree and the networks they forged on campus. 

What unites these honorees is not only their professional excellence but also their enduring connection to LSU and the belief that business can be a force for good. Their journeys inspire the next generation of Ourso students to dream big, lead with purpose, and never lose sight of the communities they serve.

read about the 2025 honorees

Click each recipient's photo to watch their acceptance speech. 

Kurt Ainsworth headshot wearing his Hall of Distinction medal

Kurt Ainsworth

Patrick Evans with a medal around his neck in the BEC courtyard

Patrick Evans

Stephen Toups wears a dark suit and a medal around his neck

Stephen Toups

Laust Helmig wears a charcoal suit and stands in the BEC courtyard.

Laust Helmig

 

Celebrating Ourso-Led Business Success

Balloons and lights that spell out LSU100

The 2025 LSU100 and Roaring20 honored the fastest-growing and highest revenue-generating LSU graduate-led businesses in the world. Among the honorees:

52 of the LSU100 companies are owned or led by Ourso College alumni.

8 of the ROARING20 are owned or led by LSU Business graduates. The ROARING20 represents the 20 highest revenue-generating businesses from all those that apply for the LSU100 each year.

These accomplishments reflect the strength, reach, and entrepreneurial drive of Ourso graduates, providing inspiration to the next generation of LSU business leaders.

see the complete lsu 100 list

 

Recent Graduates Earn Startup Capital

Three teams stand in front of a branded backdrop and hold large cardboard checks.

Two Flores MBA Program graduates earned funding for their startups in the 2026 J Terrell Brown Venture Challenge. 

  • Nick Demas and co-founder Raedan Stephens won first place and $25,000 for Smartective, a documentation platform for field-heavy industries that uses AI to replace paperwork with voice-driven documentation completion.

  • Julia Fontana earned third place and $10,000 for Bloom + Bond, a modern childcare platform connecting vetted nannies with high-intent families. Fontana also holds an undergraduate degree in management from the Ourso College. 

learn more & see the full results

 

GIVING

From student success to research excellence, much of the Ourso College's accomplishments are fueled by support from alumni and friends. We celebrate their vision, generosity, and impact. 

$4.59M

Total raised to support the Ourso College

- FY25

376

Donors gave to Ourso during LSU Giving Day

- $301,127 raised during the 2026 day of giving

$1.1M

Total scholarship spending

- $1,222,438 given to designated scholarship funds in FY26

433

Scholarship recipients

- AY25-26

 

From Possibility to Purpose

The Lagniappe Internship Fund provides students with financial support to take their learning to the next level, bridging the gap between academic knowledge and real-world experience. The fund empowers Tigers to say “yes” to meaningful opportunities that challenge them, expand their skills, and shape their future careers.

learn about the impact of lagniappe

Madyson Barnett headshot in a blue sweater

Anna Fuselier headshot in a black dress

Brent York headshot taken outdoors, he wears a dark suit.

 

Your Support Creates Opportunities

We are so grateful for the continued support from our generous donors.

Give to the Ourso College

 

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