This REL Northwest study examined whether rural students at all achievement levels were less likely than their nonrural counterparts to enroll in college and persist to the second year. The researchers analyzed college enrollment patterns and persistence among rural and nonrural Oregon high school students, as well as variations among different types of students. The study found that rural students were less likely than nonrural students to enroll in college at any time after high school. In addition, rural and nonrural students were equally likely to enroll in college immediately after high school. Finally, rural students were less likely to persist into their second year of college than nonrural students. Appended are: (1) Previous research on factors that influence college enrollment and persistence; (2) Data and methodology; (3) Detailed results; and (4) List of Oregon higher education institutions not in the National Student Clearinghouse.

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