Abstract
Rural college students experience significantly (p < .001) higher rates of depression and anxiety than their suburban and urban peers. Data from the 2025 Assessing Rural Education Assets and Strengths (AREAS) survey of 9,634 students across 1,430 U.S. colleges show that students from rural home communities and those attending rural-serving institutions (RSIs) report markedly higher rates of major depressive disorder (MDD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) than their peers (students from suburban/urban communities or those attending colleges or universities in suburban/urban areas).
Elevated rates of depression and anxiety among rural students threaten academic success, persistence, and long-term well-being. Colleges and universities serving rural populations should respond by expanding access to mental health services, strengthening early identification and referral systems, investing in broadband and tele-mental health infrastructure, and equipping faculty and staff to recognize and respond to students’ mental health needs.