Higher Education in Rural Mountain Communities: Bridging the College Attainment Gap

Andy Porter
Feb 25
4 min read

When diving into education inequality, one truth keeps resurfacing: where you live still matters—a lot.

We often zero in on race or income when it comes to college access, but the rural-urban divide is steadily deepening—especially in America’s mountain regions.

The Challenging Landscape of Rural College Attainment

Let’s talk numbers for a second.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, just 29% of rural residents aged 18–24 are enrolled in higher education—compared to 48% in urban and 42% in suburban areas.

The National Center for Education Statistics reports that 59% of rural students go straight to college after high school. That trails behind 62% of urban and 67% of suburban students.

And while cities in the Mountain West—like Phoenix, Boise, and Salt Lake City—are booming, the U.S. Census Bureau shows rural growth is lagging behind.

The USDA Economic Research Service once highlighted high completion rates in mountain communities back in 2000, but those gains appear to be fading.

The Widening Education Gap

According to the Brookings Institution, bachelor’s degree attainment jumped from 26% to 39% in urban areas between 2000 and 2019.

In contrast, rural communities went from 15% to just 21% during the same period.

In other words, the bar keeps moving—and rural regions aren’t catching up fast enough.

Why Rural Mountain Students Face Steeper Climbs

Rural students don’t just face one obstacle—they’re up against a combination of economic, geographic, educational, and digital challenges.

1. Economic Barriers Stand Tall

Rural incomes are 20–25% lower than urban incomes, according to the Journal of Rural Economics.

And for those with graduate degrees, the USDA reports a $20,000 income gap.

Poverty and low education levels often go hand in hand, creating a cycle that’s hard to break.

2. Geographic Isolation Creates “Education Deserts”

Around 13 million Americans live too far from a college campus, according to the Urban Institute.

That’s a huge issue in the mountainous West, where icy roads and long travel times make college access nearly impossible.

It’s not just distance—The Chronicle of Higher Education reports over a dozen rural-serving colleges have closed since 2020. And NREA data shows public universities are cutting rural programs too.

3. K–12 Preparation Falls Short

Many rural schools lack AP classes, dual-enrollment programs, and SAT/ACT prep due to staffing shortages, as noted by the Rural School and Community Trust.

The Journal of College Access found that only 19% of rural students knew someone with a bachelor’s degree—limiting their access to informal guidance.

4. Labor Market Dynamics Drive “Brain Drain”

Many jobs in rural economies don’t require a degree. As a result, college-educated youth often relocate to cities for better opportunities.

The Center for Rural Innovation highlights this migration trend, and the Rural Sociology Quarterly shows some communities have grown skeptical of higher education altogether.

5. The Digital Divide Limits Opportunities

According to the Pew Research Center, just 63% of rural adults have home internet, compared to 75% of urban adults.

The FCC reports that 10% of U.S. households still lack broadband access.

A study in AERJ confirmed that students without reliable internet perform worse in school and are less likely to attend college.

Promising Solutions Taking Root

Despite these challenges, several creative programs are gaining traction in the Mountain West:

Colorado’s ASAP Initiative, modeled after CUNY’s successful program, is receiving $10 million in funding to support rural students (Colorado Department of Higher Education).
The U.S. Department of Education has awarded $44.5 million in RPED grants to 22 institutions, including those in Arizona and New Mexico.
WICHE is expanding “train-in-place” nursing programs across Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming.
The Montana University System is rolling out the Montana 10 Initiative, offering holistic support across eight institutions.

Bridging the Gap: A Multi-Faceted Approach

No one solution will fix the rural education gap. It takes coordinated, long-term action. Here's where it starts:

Flexible funding that supports tuition, transport, childcare, and housing (Colorado Department of Higher Education)
Digital inclusion via infrastructure, training, and affordable tech (FCC)
Economic diversification to offer skilled jobs in rural communities (Center for Rural Innovation)
Stronger K–12 pathways with better curricula and counseling support (Rural School and Community Trust)
Local mentorship programs to build college awareness and confidence (Journal of College Access)

Final Thoughts

The Mountain West is full of resilient, tight-knit communities with strong roots. And while the barriers to higher education are real, so is the potential.

With the right policies, local innovation, and sustained investment, geography doesn’t have to define a student’s future.