Abstract
Rural and first-generation college students face intersecting barriers related to geography, institutional resources, and parental education that may constrain access to co-curricular opportunities and limit the development of work capital. Using survey data from undergraduates (N = 9,634) enrolled at 1,430 two-year and four-year colleges and universities, we examined disparities in participation in student clubs and organizations and assessed whether any associations between participation and work capital varied by rural home background, attendance at rural-serving institutions, and first-generation status. Multivariable logistic regression analyses indicated that students from rural home communities, those attending rural-serving institutions, and first-generation students had significantly lower odds of participating in student clubs or organizations, with evidence of compounded disadvantages at the intersections. Ordinary least squares regression models further showed that these groups reported lower overall, economic, human, social, and cultural work capital. Participation in student clubs or organizations was positively associated with work capital, and these associations were stronger for rural, first-generation, and rural-serving institution students. The results underscore persistent opportunity gaps in co-curricular engagement and highlight the equity-relevant role of student organizations in supporting rural students’ workforce preparation.