New Perspectives on the Community Impact of Rural Education Deserts

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.

Should I Leave My Country? Higher Education Value Shaping Students’ Satisfaction and Brain Drain Intentions in Western Balkans

“…The social value denotes certain status derived from using the service, as perceived by the users of the service or their relevant social groups (Kim & Han, 2009). Higher education’s social value reflects the perception that individuals and groups form regarding the importance of the degree and the acknowledgment of service users’ choices (Ledden et al, 2007; Park et al, 2021; Stafford, 1994). Students might prefer a certain degree because of their friends and family’s persuasive opinion, the possibility for social interaction or a previous positive experience with reference groups (Fazal-e-Hasan et al, 2021; Ledden et al, 2011; Stafford, 1994).…”

“…Students’ perception of enhanced, informative and guided service contributes to the desire for knowledge and satisfaction with the choice (Magsayo, 2021). Similarly, social influences offer relevant insights into the value students’ personal and professional relations have for their experience, typically evidencing a positive impact on educational observations (Park et al, 2021). The social value is perceived through the level of individual interactions with friends and family, meaning that the individual is prone to perceive the service as satisfactory, if the relevant groups think positively of the experience of using the service (Fazal-e-Hasan et al, 2021; Gilal et al, 2018).…”