Rurality and dropout in higher distance education

Abstract

This is a descriptive analysis and it is carried out on distance higher education, in which it is determined the existence of previous studies on the levels of rurality and the relationship that this factor has with the levels of desertion, retention and permanence. For this study, data from research carried out between 2010 and 2020 are taken, identifying and interpreting the characterization that is made of rurality and it is found that there are not enough studies that can determine the relationship that exists between levels of rurality and dropout rates in distance higher education; however, it is found that some institutions have retention and permanence in their programs. The discussion addresses possibilities for analyzing this phenomenon and gives recommendations for further studies.