Richard Florida at the Creative Class Exchange:
Ohio State university sociologist, Kent Schwirian summarizes the results of an OSU study of the relationship between where students live and their grade point average and the time they take to graduate.
Percent graduating in four years:
- Walking distance 60.8%
- Near campus 47.5%
- Rest of county 36.7%
- Outside of county 21.1%
Grade point average:
- Residence hall 3.33
- Walking distance 3.16
- Near campus 3.12
- Rest of county 2.97
- Outside of county 2.94
Correlation doesn't imply causation. But it makes some sense here. Being a student is easier when you live within walking distance of campus. It's easier to get to class. It's easier to study with other students. It's easier to make a professor's office hours. It's easier to get to the library. (Do college students use libraries any more?)
Just another data point for evaluating the harm the City of Austin inflicted on University of Texas students by its years-long ban on dense development in West Campus.