Rural vs. Urban Education in America

Infographic Transcript

Though urban and rural communities face similar challenges in education, rural districts often are hit harder, requiring more imaginative solutions. Explore the similarities and differences in rural and urban education.

Poverty Rates

Children under 18: 22.9% (rural) Children under 18: 17.7% (urban) ^[1]

42% of rural residents say finding a job is a major concern. Only 39% want to move. ^[2]

Internet Access Problems

Major problem for: 24% (rural) Major problem for: 13% (urban) ^[2]

Callout: Google’s Rolling Study Halls program offers free Wi-Fi on school buses.

Students in the program show improvements in: ^[3]

• Math
• Reading
• Digital fluency

Mental Health Care

Counties lacking a psychiatrist: 65% (rural) Counties lacking a psychiatrist: 27% (urban) ^[4]

Many states are considering school-based telemedicine programs for students needing counseling.

College Enrollment

Students directly enrolling: 59% (rural) Students directly enrolling: 62% (urban) ^[5]

79.9% of rural students graduate from high school, higher than the national average of 76.6%.^[6]

Teacher Retention

Turnover: 8.4% (rural) Turnover: 7.9% (urban) ^[7]

Organizations are seeking to attract and retain rural educators through collaboration and incentives.

Opportunities in Rural Education

• 57% of policy insiders felt rural education was not important to the U.S. Department of Education. ^[8]
• Smaller staffs mean more leadership opportunities and autonomy.
• High school education should be reimagined to prepare for today’s jobs.
• Opportunities for new products and initiatives exist for business and policy leaders.

When it comes to education in America, there is a world of possibility to change lives for the better. Become a leader in the field with an Ed.D. in Rural Education from the University of West Alabama.

Rural vs. Urban Education: Become an Expert

As these rural vs. urban education statistics show, there’s plenty of room for innovation and growth in rural communities. Are you interested in making a concrete difference in rural students’ lives through action, advocacy and collaboration? Consider a doctorate in education online. The Ed.D. Rural Education from the University of West Alabama Online helps candidates gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and issues in rural education. This forward-thinking, one-of-a-kind degree helps students become leaders addressing the needs of rural students and school districts.

Sources

1. usda.gov
2. pewresearch.org
3. edu.google.com
4. ajpmonline.org
5. theatlantic.com
6. nces.ed.gov
7. ncsl.org
8. nsba.org