Before the Recession: 2006-7

Most of the nearly $7.6-billion in state money for grants went to public colleges. About a quarter went to private colleges, and roughly 4 percent went to for-profits. Circles are sized according to college-age residents.

Southern states such as West Virginia, South Carolina, and Georgia spend the most on grants per college-age resident.

Kansas, Ohio, and Pennsylvania each spent less than 50 percent of their student-aid money on public colleges in 2006-7.

After the Recession: 2010-11

Most states raised their share of spending at public colleges (green lines). A few states, like Indiana and Maryland, reduced their share of spending on public colleges (red lines).