Abstract
Understanding how the lack of higher education opportunities due to geographic distance affects perceptions of communities and education is essential in creating sustainable education systems in rural areas. More specifically, this research examines how geographic distance and the absence of institutes, sometimes called an education desert, affect perceptions of community and the perceived value of education. We used data from the 2017 Rural Utah Community Study (RUCS) of residents living in twenty-five rural communities, with a sample size of 1286, and found that the proximity to different types of higher education, four- and two-year institutions, can significantly influence community well-being and the perceived value of education.
Highlights
IntroductionBecause the number of universities and colleges are limited, sometimes rural residents must travel great distances to continue their education after high school
In 2018, a report by the Urban Institute [1] highlighted the effect that geographical distance from institutes of higher learning has on enrollment and completion of postsecondary degrees in the United States
Using data from the 2017 Rural Utah Community Study (RUCS) of residents living in twenty-five rural communities—i.e., communities with populations of 2500 to 5000—and by geo-referencing their location to measure the geographic traveling distance from higher education institutions, this study identifies respondents living in higher education deserts
Summary
Because the number of universities and colleges are limited, sometimes rural residents must travel great distances to continue their education after high school This distance creates what the authors call “education deserts”, the effects of which are especially felt by rural residents in the western United States. By understanding the association between access to education and community satisfaction, this research elucidates the role that institutes of higher education play in sustaining rural, and often at-risk, communities. This link between higher education and community well-being is an understudied but an essential component of a sustainable education system in rural communities
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
