Each year, a number of publications release their rankings of top colleges and universities. While rankings can help folks understand a school s retention and graduation rates, colleges in rural states say these lists don t tell the full story. Phillip Engelkemier, a college recruitment specialist at the West Virginia University School of Nursing and president-elect of the West Virginia Associate of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, said schools in rural regions often are home to specific programs that aren t offered elsewhere. .
Zawieja graduated from Marquette Law School in 2010 with $116K in student loan debt. She says it climbed to $174K this year due to interest while working as an attorney for the Menominee Tribe.
Most Minnesota school districts are preparing to welcome back students next week, and some administrators are expressing growing concern over their budgets. It coincides with different education viewpoints in the race for governor. Matt Hillmann, superintendent of Northfield Public Schools, said they were able to avoid budget cuts the previous decade, but declining enrollment and other factors led to a $4.5 million reduction plan this year. .