Shreveport-Bossier’s Education Puzzle: Quality Schools, Low Degrees – Why the Disconnect?

The Shreveport-Bossier City area has one of the lowest rates of educational attainment for areas of a similar size. Despite having a smaller number of higher degrees in the city, the same study found that the area actually has high-quality schools. If schools in the area are of a higher quality, why do so few manage to attain higher education?

The Paradox of Strong Schools But Missing Degrees

A study from WalletHub showed that out of 150 similarly sized cities and metro areas around the United States, the SBC ranks towards the middle for the quality of schools in the area, placing it realistically among quality schools. More than just the quality of teachers and facilities at local schools, the study considers things like how many students are from the area.

If the local education isn't completely failing the people of the SBC, why do so few in the area have a higher education?

The "Brain Drain" Effect: Our Graduates Leave

Of 150 similarly sized cities, the SBC was ranked 125th for how many who have earned a degree of any kind. That means the Shreveport area has fewer high school diplomas or Associate's, Bachelor's, and Graduate degrees than almost every city with a similar population.

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You can read the full study here.

One of the possible explanations for Shreveport and Bossier City's lack of degrees could come down to brain drain. For years, Louisiana has been plagued by never keeping enough of its college graduates. In 2023 alone, 62% of graduates left the state.