Nearly 20 percent of the total U.S. population lives in rural America, yet the experiences of rural communities are often left out of many research and policy conversations. Higher education is no exception.
Students from rural communities—particularly those who have historically experienced access barriers to higher education relative to their peers in urban areas—continue to face many challenges related to college access and completion. For years, researchers have sought to better understand the needs and challenges of disadvantaged populations, yet studies on rural communities remain sparse. Even as policymakers make strides in providing better opportunities and resources for underserved communities across the country, access to affordable, high-quality postsecondary education has proved an enduring challenge for rural communities.
This report from the Institute for College Access & Success highlights key facts and issues relating to rural college students and their access to and through college, barriers to success, and solutions to help them stay the course.