Lack of Nearby Community Colleges Worsens Education Gaps in Rural Areas
Rural areas face limited education access as 28 colleges closed in 2024.
By
In the US, college deserts-areas, where students live more than 30 miles from a community, has been rising as a concern as they tend to disproportionately impact rural and minority populations.
With additional challenges from commuting costs, part-time work, and caregiving responsibilities, many avoid college altogether. Therefore, the absence of community colleges from supporting first-generation students and single parents has been all the more important.
In the research shared by KX Net, it is revealed that in such deserts, more Black, Hispanic, and low-income students do not go to college at all than their White and Asian peers, who typically go to four-year colleges. Rebecca Corbin, national director of the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship, points out, that the problem is especially pronounced in the southern United States, where a number of students lack accessible higher education opportunities.
Read more: California Bill Proposes to Prioritize Descendants of Slaves in Public University Admission
Lack of Community Colleges in the US
The expansion of community colleges to reach these areas is quite challenging.
Many colleges face challenges in staying open, and as many as 28 have closed in the first nine months of 2024, per The Hechinger Report. Internet access is also not reliable in rural areas, making online classes not an option for students in these areas. The digital divide continues to be a persistent barrier to equal access.
To overcome these challenges, community colleges are finding creative solutions. Among them are collaboration with state universities, holding classes in local venues such as churches and community centers, and working with K-12 schools to bring education closer to students. These solutions help reduce transportation difficulties and open up opportunities for the underserved.
Despite the challenges, it is important to address community college deserts to close education gaps. Improving broadband access and offering localized class options are steps in the right direction. Now more than ever, opportunities for underserved students need to expand to ensure equitable access to higher education for the long-term benefit it could give to the US economy and their lives.
