Rural students face significant challenges in accessing higher education, with fewer options compared to their urban counterparts. This disparity has widened the college attendance gap, as many universities serving rural areas are cutting numerous programs and majors. Consequently, rural students may need to travel further for college or abandon their aspirations altogether.
Rural residents are significantly less likely to achieve a bachelor’s degree than those in urban areas, with only 21% holding such degrees compared to 35% of urban dwellers, a gap that has expanded since 1970. This educational divide also amplifies political tensions between rural and urban regions.
Despite these challenges, new initiatives aim to assist rural students in pursuing higher education. Programs like the STARS Network are working to connect rural students with colleges, offering them opportunities previously overlooked.
In rural areas like the Mississippi Delta, universities such as Delta State have cut a third of their majors, including music, English, and chemistry. This trend is seen across the country, with institutions in Kansas, Alaska, and North Carolina making similar cuts.
As a result, nearly 13 million Americans now reside in higher education deserts, predominantly in rural Midwest and Great Plains regions, where the nearest university is beyond commuting distance.
Some rural universities are shifting focus to majors leading directly to local employment, like agricultural piloting at Delta State University. However, this shift means those seeking broader opportunities must often leave their communities.
Colleges are now recognizing the importance of recruiting rural students, with elite institutions like the University of Chicago and MIT actively encouraging applications from rural high schools. Such efforts aim to provide rural students with more educational pathways, helping bridge the gap in higher education.
Related Articles
—
Read More Kitchen Table News
