Shortening the Road to College in Rural America
For millions of Americans living in rural communities, the path to education and career advancement is full of barriers. Programs are being cut. Reliable internet is still out of reach for many. And traditional programs often assume students can follow a conventional on-campus experience. These assumptions don’t reflect the realities of rural life, and they’re limiting access to the skills and credentials needed for individuals and communities to thrive.
Western Governors University (WGU) and Community Colleges of Appalachia (CCA) are joining forces to address these complicated realities for students residing in rural Appalachia where roughly 27% of individuals have a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to 35% nationally. Through this partnership, CCA graduates and employees will gain access to WGU’s flexible, competency-based degree programs. The agreement will also ensure that previously earned credits transfer seamlessly, allowing students to avoid having to repeat coursework and enabling them to move more efficiently and affordably toward a bachelor’s degree. CCA is comprised of 85 member institutions across 13 states.
What’s Driving the Rural Access Gap
Colleges in areas like rural Appalachia are under growing financial strain. In response, many private colleges have shut down entirely or cut programs, eliminating close-to-home options for higher education. These cuts are often driven by low enrollment and return-on-investment calculations, which disproportionately affect rural areas where student populations are smaller but community needs are high. When these programs disappear, so do pathways to good jobs that allow residents to build careers and stay rooted in their communities.
Access is not solely limited to availability. It is about whether programs fit into students’ lives. The traditional college experience assumes students can relocate or commute a reasonable distance and attend school full time. But many rural learners are raising children, working multiple jobs or caring for family members. These responsibilities keep individuals rooted where they are. And commutes to the nearest college are often hours long.
While online learning has expanded opportunities for many, its accessibility depends on thoughtful design that accounts for the unique needs of different learners. In rural communities, limited broadband access remains a challenge, with nearly one in five residents lacking reliable internet. And students may also struggle to find the personalized support and sense of connection that helps them stay engaged with their studies. Without these elements in place, education can still feel out of reach. It’s important to note that models that emphasize flexibility, affordability and strong student support are helping bridge long-standing gaps.
Why It Matters
When rural students lack access to higher education, the consequences are both personal and far-reaching. Without a clear path to postsecondary learning, individuals are more likely to miss out on career opportunities, higher earning potential and upward economic mobility. As a result, many end up in jobs that don’t match their skills or ambitions or face extended periods of unemployment. These challenges are especially visible in places like Appalachia where the median household income is $14,000 below the national average—and across rural America more broadly, where working-age adults are 33% more likely than their urban peers to have gone a full year without employment.
A lack of nearby training and degree programs makes it difficult to build a strong pipeline of qualified workers. As a result, jobs in education, healthcare and skilled trades often go unfilled, leaving local employers struggling to meet demand.
Over time, this holds back regional growth. Towns with shrinking access to education face greater challenges attracting investment, supporting local infrastructure and sustaining economic momentum. Expanding access is about helping individuals succeed and creating the conditions for rural communities to thrive.
Other Efforts Strengthening Rural Pathways
In addition to WGU and CCA’s recent partnership, a growing number of organizations are working across the education continuum to expand access and opportunity in rural communities:
STARS College Network supports rural high school students with tailored advising, academic resources, and college navigation to help them build early momentum toward higher education.
Partners for Rural Impact (PRI) supports a cradle-to-career model that connects education, health, and community services to help students succeed in school and transition into meaningful, locally rooted careers.
National Rural Education Association (NREA) supports rural educators by connecting them with critical resources, offering policy guidance, and amplifying their voices, ensuring local schools can better meet the unique needs of their communities.
These efforts reflect a broader movement to reduce financial and geographic barriers and ensure rural learners can pursue meaningful education and career opportunities close to home.
The Path Forward
The partnership between WGU and CCA reflects what’s possible when institutions design with rural learners at the center. It addresses the forces that continue to hold many back: disappearing local programs, rigid models that overlook work and caregiving responsibilities, limited internet access, and a disconnect between education and the needs of rural economies. At the same time, it points toward what is possible: flexible degree pathways, seamless credit transfer and programs that lead directly to meaningful careers.
Alongside the efforts of community-based organizations and national networks, partnerships like this help reimagine a future where opportunity is not confined to cities or campuses, but extended to every learner, in every community.
