A study to obtain follow-up information on graduates from small Iowa school districts was conducted in 1988 to identify rural youth's "educational pathways" during the first 5 years after high school graduation. The sample of high school graduates was randomly drawn from 11 of 98 rural Iowa school districts with an enrollment fewer than 300. The initial sampling was 236 rural Iowa students from the graduating class of 1983; of these, 221 were contacted, and 174 responded, a response rate of 81%. A survey instrument was constructed using questions from the ongoing "High School and Beyond" study. Data were collected via telephone precontact with three followups and a site visit to school districts. Respondents were categorized into persisters and non-persisters in two-year and four-year programs, and were compared on the following characteristics: family background; influence of significant others (familial); other influence (extra-familial); student characteristics; and high school and college background. Results indicate that 80% of the respondents enrolled in a post-secondary institution during the first five years after high school graduation, and 26.4% withdrew from a post-secondary institution before program completion. Of the rural students who matriculated in post-secondary institutions, approximately 75% persisted until they completed their degrees, significantly higher than the national average of 50%. This document contains 18 references and Appendices including a summary of methodology, the questionnaire and two tables. (ALL)