Hannah Beggs, Grand Canyon University
Cross-cultural examinations in the academic sector are important for developing a comprehensive understanding of the functionality of higher education (HE) and promoting an open-minded, student focused approach to pedagogy. The purpose of this literature review is to compare HE landscapes in the United States (US) and Colombia, emphasizing socioeconomic status (SES) and rurality as a barrier to student success in both countries. A major focus of this review is the relationship between rurality as a component of SES and student success in HE. A discussion follows of approaches to increase rural education attainment in the US and Colombia that support suggestions for future research in the educational field.