Washington, D.C. — As the Trump administration’s attacks on U.S. public education escalate, America’s 9.8 million rural students disproportionately bear the burden. Enrolling nearly 1 in 5 public school students, rural schools face a unique set of challenges, which require more—not less—federal investment.
New analysis from the Center for American Progress highlights how the disparities that affect rural students may be exacerbated by Trump administration proposals to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education and reduce federal funding for public education. The report also offers recommendations for state and federal policymakers to strengthen public education in rural communities and close gaps in educational opportunity for rural students.
Key findings from the report include:
- The Trump administration’s fiscal year 2026 budget request would eliminate the $220 million individual funding stream for rural public schools, removing any requirement for states to give previously rural-designated funding to rural schools.
- The budget also seeks to cut $550 million in funds that connect rural Americans to the internet.
- Rural districts are less likely to offer Advanced Placement and advanced math and science courses. For example, only 30 percent of remote rural schools offer calculus compared with 72 percent of schools in small suburban districts.
- Rural students enroll in college at lower rates than suburban and urban students, and only 25 percent of rural adults hold Bachelor’s degrees compared with 37 percent of nonrural adults.
- An estimated 35 million Americans live in higher education deserts. As distance to the nearest college or university increases, a student’s likelihood of enrolling decreases.
“Rural students already face myriad unique challenges compared with their nonrural counterparts—including more limited access to coursework, fewer qualified teachers, inequitable funding, and barriers to technology and internet access,” said Paige Shoemaker DeMio, senior analyst for K-12 Policy at CAP and co-author of the report. “The federal government plays a vital role in ensuring these districts have the resources they need to prepare students for success, and we need to protect that access to support—not tear it away.”
“As the Trump administration seeks to dismantle the Department of Education, privatize education, halt educational research projects, and slash funding for public schools, it is crucial that policymakers understand the unfair impact these decisions will have on rural schools,” said Sara Partridge, associate director for Higher Education Policy at CAP and co-author of the report.
Read the report: “Preparing Rural Students for College and Beyond by Improving Access to Coursework” by Paige Shoemaker DeMio, Sara Partridge, and Bri Crawford
For more information or to speak with an expert, contact Mishka Espey at [email protected].