| Public higher education relies on funding from the states to achieve its ultimate purpose -- affordable access to citizens. In recent years, public higher education has seen reductions in state funding levels, growing enrollments, and significant price increases to students. Higher education funding is often viewed as discretionary and suffers from budget trade-offs with other mandatory government services, as well as being the balancing wheel during difficult economic times. The historical rationale for investing in higher education for the benefit of the public appears to have shifted to a view that individuals benefit more and should pay more. This study examined the state investments in public higher education alongside student affordability to determine which state characteristics might explain the funding practices and which state characteristics are linked to the growing costs to students.;Panel data for the 50 states covering 2000 to 2010 was used for the fixed-effects time series regression analysis study. Political, demographic, cultural, and economic variables were analyzed to determine their influence on state higher education funding support and student affordability. The goal of the study was to determine the extent to which state characteristics can predict the level of state support and student affordability for their public higher education systems. The results could then be used by higher education practitioners and policymakers to develop effective higher education policy and funding strategies. Descriptive statistics were also used to contrast and compare the changes in state funding and student affordability from 2000 to 2010.;The regression analysis identified strong relationships between state higher education funding levels, term limits, legislative professionalism, state tax rates, formula funding, and consolidated governing boards. Student affordability was significantly influenced by governing board control, which entity had tuition setting authority, changes in the state population groups aged 5-44, poverty rates, and state funding levels. |
