Education in North Carolina

The number of rural adults with less than a high school education fell during the 1990s.

In 1990 there were more than 803,000 rural adults, or 36 percent of the population 25 or older, who had less than a high school education. This number dropped to 715,000 or 26 percent in 2000. In contrast, only 17 percent of adults in urban North Carolina had less than a high school education in 2000.

Source: US Bureau of the Census

Rural residents are much less likely to have a college degree.

While the percent of rural residents with a college degree increased from 1990 to 2000, rural areas did not keep pace with urban areas. More than one-third, 37 percent, of urban residents have Associates, Bachelor's or higher degrees. Twenty-two percent of rural residents have a college degree. The Research Triangle region has more than twice the percentage of college graduates as the Northeast region.

Source: US Bureau of the Census

Rural students are improving on the SAT college entrance exam

While urban counties with major universities tend to have the highest SAT test scores, many rural counties are performing well. In particular, 20 of 24 mountain counties are at or above the stat average of 1006. Across North Carolina 28 rural counties have SAT scores above the state average.

Source: NC Department of Public Instruction, 2004

Rural students lead the state in end of grade tests

End of grade tests in English and math are given to all students in 3rd through 8th grade. The tests are designed to measure the progress of students at key point in their schooling. Nine of the top ten counties in percent of all 3rd-8th grade students who passed both English and math end of grade exams are rural. Mountain counties are doing very well, all have passing rates of 80 percent or higher.

Source: NC Department of Public Instruction, 2004