Study Reveals Surprising Results on COVID Cases in MBA Program Campuses

Last Updated on March 2, 2024 by Robert C. Hoopes

During the COVID-19 pandemic, scientific studies have consistently shown that lower-income communities have higher infection rates. However, recent research conducted by two college students, Sophia Zacher and Lewis Davis, along with Stephen Schmidt, has revealed a surprising trend in college communities.

Zacher and Davis, students at an undisclosed university, analyzed data from 1,069 U.S. schools during the 2020-21 academic year. Contrary to popular belief, their findings showed that COVID infection rates were actually higher at wealthier schools. This unexpected discovery challenged the initial expectations of the researchers.

The data indicated that colleges and universities with higher endowments per student and higher tuition rates experienced greater infection rates. Additionally, the analysis revealed that more illness was reported at more selective schools. This suggests that wealthier institutions faced higher COVID infection rates during the pandemic.

These findings have significant implications for college communities and public health efforts. Understanding the factors that contributed to higher infection rates at wealthier schools can inform future strategies for preventing and managing outbreaks on college campuses.

As the world continues to navigate the challenges of the ongoing pandemic, research like this provides valuable insights that can help institutions better protect their students and staff. The work of Zacher, Davis, and Schmidt sheds light on a previously overlooked aspect of COVID-19 transmission and underscores the importance of considering socio-economic factors in public health research.