Social Capital and College Persistence Among Rural College Graduates

• In Event: 65.072 - Higher Education: Who Gets In, and What Do They Get Out?

Abstract

Since the traditional predictors of college attendance are scarce in rural areas, scholars have puzzled over why rural students seem to be gaining ground in college enrollment and persistence. Drawing on in depth interviews with 43 college graduates from the most rural state, this study examines the mechanisms through which educationally successful rural students translate family, school and community social capital into bachelor’s degree attainment. We find that respondents maintain close ties with family at home and hometown peers attending the same college. Respondents also gained social capital while on campus, most commonly through extracurricular activities.

Authors

• Ingrid Nelson, Bowdoin College

• Melody Moon, Bowdoin College

• Caroline Martinez, Bowdoin College