Up North Michigan, schools struggle between pull of home and promise of college

Students’ stark choice in northern Michigan: Go to college and never come back — or stay with smaller paychecks. That’s put school districts in a conundrum about how best to educate them.

By: Ron French

Outlets: Bridge Michigan

Published: March 24, 2026

Words: 2,468

Last Updated: 4 months, 1 week ago

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Many schools in northern Michigan have college enrollment rates below the state average
Mobility rates — doing better than your parents — is as low in some rural areas as urban ones
Those who go to college often have no choice but to move because of a lack of jobs

JOHANNESBURG — Jaeden Briley lives on a road named for her homesteading family, a narrow dirt track packed with deep snow. After feeding …

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