Higher education plays a critical role in the success of many adults in America. Unfortunately, rural colleges are often neglected. Yet, rural colleges have never been more important:
- 85 percent of U.S. counties with low educational attainment are rural.
- 21 percent of rural adults have a bachelor’s degree vs. 37 percent of urban.
On top of it all, rural counties with low educational attainment have the highest rates of poverty, unemployment, and population loss. With 57 percent of college students going to classes within 25 miles of their home, it's essential that rural colleges get the support they need.
The rural landscape is changing, with agricultural jobs phasing out in place of manufacturing, healthcare, and retail.
Watch this new Animated Explainer to learn more about the changing rural landscape, rural communities, and the colleges that serve them.
