Does Internet Speed Matter? Broadband and Educational Attainment in Rural Communities?

This study aims to investigate the impact of fixed broadband internet access on educational attainment across U.S. counties from 2015 to 2020, with a particular focus on rural areas. The central question of my research is: Does expanding broadband internet access have an impact on educational outcomes in rural areas? Using a fixed-effects regression model, the analysis examines how average internet speed—weighted between download and upload rates—influences educational outcomes particularly looking at those with not high school completion 18 and up. The model controls poverty, racial composition, population, and gender-based educational differences. Results suggest that while higher internet speed is modestly associated with better educational outcomes overall, the effect is weaker and often not statistically significant in rural areas. In contrast, poverty remains a strong and consistent predictor of low educational attainment. These findings highlight the importance of addressing economic inequality alongside digital infrastructure improvements to reduce education gaps. Access to reliable, high-speed internet has become essential for educational attainment, yet large disparities remain between rural and non-rural areas. This study examines how differences in internet quality relate to educational outcomes across U.S. counties from 2015 to 2020. With a focus on rural communities, I ask whether improved internet access is associated with reductions in the proportion of the population without a high school diploma.