In this study, we examine the ways of assessing the contribution of higher education institutions to the socioeconomic development of regional districts. We put forward the following working hypothesis--areas with access to higher education usually grow spatially, while areas that lack higher education institutions contract. We attempted to empirically prove the working hypothesis and analyzed the potential of dual and online education in providing affordable, high-quality education for the residents of remote areas. [For the complete volume, "Digital Education in Russia and Central Asia. Education in the Asia-Pacific Region: Issues, Concerns and Prospects. Volume 65," see ED675848.]