Understanding Differences in State Support for Higher Education

This study focuses on differences in unrestricted state appropriations for Carnegie Public Research Universities during the 1990s. Through statistical analyses and case studies, a framework is developed that illuminates the impact of higher education governance, institutional characteristics and economic, demographic, political and cultural factors as critical elements determining levels of state appropriations for public research universities. The framework is strengthened through an application of organization theories from rational, political, and cultural perspectives. Among its most valuable contributions, the study places empirical evidence behind the assertion that future state support for research universities will be contingent on an institution's ability to demonstrate its service to the state.