Geographic Access to Education
A Driver of Economic Inequality
College proximity isn't just about convenience—it's reshaping the future of America's workforce. New research reveals that the distance between a student's home and the nearest community college can determine their economic trajectory.
Recent research from Miami University's Dr. Riley Acton finds interesting results in Texas's educational landscape. While students across all demographics show sensitivity to college distance, the impact varies dramatically. When community colleges are more than 30 minutes away, white and Asian students often pivot to four-year institutions. However, Black and Hispanic students frequently abandon higher education entirely.
The numbers tell a compelling story. Students living in "community college deserts" (areas 30+ minutes from the nearest two-year college) show drastically different outcomes based on demographics. Higher-income students maintain their educational momentum by switching to four-year institutions, while lower-income students are more likely to forgo college altogether. This pattern persists for up to eight years after high school graduation.
Market implications are significant. Texas, the nation's second-largest economy, sees these educational disparities translating directly into workforce gaps. Areas with limited community college access show substantially lower degree attainment rates among minority and lower-income populations, directly impacting local labor markets and economic growth.
The Takeaway
This pattern reminds me of the redlining of the 1930s, where geographic barriers created lasting economic divides. Just as redlining shaped generational wealth through housing access, today's "education deserts" risk creating similar multi-generational impacts on economic mobility
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Looking ahead, these findings have implications for economic development and workforce planning. As remote work reshapes geographic constraints in many industries, physical proximity to educational institutions remains critical to economic opportunity. This research suggests that the strategic placement of community colleges could be as important for economic equality as traditional workforce development programs.
Community College matters. I was fortunate enough to live within 2 miles of my cc. Attending that university allowed me to save a lot of money so much so that a second matsers was affordable.