PERRY, N.Y. (AP) — Briar Townes, a recent graduate from Perry Central High School in rural Wyoming County, New York, has discovered a passion for art that he hopes will shape his future career. Despite earning college credits from a high school drawing and painting class, Townes plans to forgo traditional college education. Instead, he is currently overseeing an art camp at the local Arts Council. If this does not lead to a permanent position, he has potential job opportunities at Creative Food Ingredients, known locally as the "cookie factory," or at American Classic Outfitters, which specializes in athletic uniforms.
Townes expressed, “My stress is picking an option, not finding an option.” This reflects a larger narrative among rural students, who, despite graduating at higher rates than their urban and suburban counterparts, tend to enroll in college at lower rates. The allure of college is diminished in rural areas, where logistics such as travel distance and familial education background play significant roles in decisions. Political voices questioning the necessity of higher education further exacerbate this challenge, contributing to stagnating college enrollment figures among rural graduates.
According to recent data from the National Clearinghouse Research Center, around 55% of rural high school graduates enrolled in college right after graduation in 2023. In comparison, this figure is higher for suburban graduates at 64% and 59% for urban graduates. Notably, a college degree significantly boosts earning potential; men with a bachelor's degree can earn approximately $900,000 more over their lifetime compared to those with only a high school diploma, while women see a difference of about $630,000.
The perception of higher education differs in Wyoming County, where traditional industries like dairy farming and maple syrup production dominate the job market. Townes noted his family's lack of emphasis on pursuing college, explaining, “College has never really been a necessity or problem in my family.” Meanwhile, Perry Central High School's Superintendent Daryl McLaughlin emphasizes career technical education alongside traditional college pathways, illustrating the school district's commitment to diverse post-graduate opportunities. He stated, “We’re letting our students know these institutions, whether it is a college or whether employers, they’re competing for you.”
In recent years, the district has reported an increase in college enrollments, showing 67% of graduates from the class of 2024 enrolling compared to 60% of the previous year. This improvement is partly attributed to the use of federal pandemic relief funds towards reducing tuition costs for its Accelerated College Enrollment program established in collaboration with Genesee Community College. Even when federal funding expired, the district chose to continue supporting this initiative.
However, approximately 15% of rural high school students were enrolled in college courses through dual enrollment programs as of early 2025. This percentage is slightly lower than that of their urban and suburban peers. Advocates for higher education in rural areas are pushing for enhancements to dual enrollment access, as evidenced by new funding aimed at policy development in seven states targeted at supporting rural students.
The skepticism surrounding college education is prevalent across rural America, compounded by rising tuition costs and diminishing confidence in the value of a degree, particularly among Republican voters. Andrew Koricich, executive director of the Alliance for Research on Regional Colleges, remarked on the challenge posed by prevailing narratives questioning the merits of higher education. Despite this, there are rural educators like Joe Theobold in Putnam County, Florida, who actively encourage students to pursue college, recognizing the broader life skills and self-discovery that come with advanced education.
Students in Perry like Devon Wells are also considering alternate paths. Growing up on a family farm, Wells is interested in welding or electrical line work, careers which may provide significantly higher wages than local agricultural jobs. Similar to Townes, his family has not pressured him towards a college education, leading Wells to reflect on his hands-on upbringing saying, “I grew up on a farm, so that’s all hands-on work. That’s really all I know and would want to do.”
This narrative showcases the diverging paths young adults in rural America face, balancing the weight of familial expectations and regional job opportunities against the backdrop of traditional higher education.
