State Financing Tightens Despite Boost From Stimulus

State money only | About this map

About These Data: These figures were reported by the Center for the Study of Education Policy at Illinois State U. and State Higher Education Executive Officers.

For the first time in the history of this annual “Grapevine” survey, the figures reflect total state fiscal support for operating expenses for colleges and universities, for student aid, and for state higher-education agencies. This money includes appropriations from state taxes as well as from lotteries, interest income, and other nontax funds.

In previous years, the survey reported only appropriations from state taxes. The new methodology introduced this year was applied to all years shown.

These figures do not include appropriations for capital outlays and debt service, nor do they include appropriations from local governments. The data were collected from September to December 2009 and are subject to change, particularly this year as many states face budget gaps and may cut financing for higher education.

Percentages shown are rounded to one decimal. The Chronicle ranked changes in financing based on unrounded figures. Different budgeting practices among the states make it impossible to ensure that all figures are perfectly comparable.