Understanding the Costs of Public Higher Education by Peter McPherson and David Shulenburger

"In the case of higher education costs, diametrically opposed views have persisted over time. Why?"

Paul T. Brinkman and Anthony W. Morgan. 2010. Financial Planning: Strategies and Lessons Learned. Planning for Higher Education. 38(3): 5–14. 

This article is part of a themed issue of SCUP's journal, Planning for Higher Education, focusing on Issues in Higher Education Finance. Click, above, on the journal image to go to this issue's full table of contents or on the article title to go to this specific article.

Abstract - "This article explains the cost of education in public research universities. 'Price,' meaning 'tuition,' is often incorrectly substituted for 'cost,' meaning expenditures by the university that make the education possible. University cost is disaggregated to enable readers to distinguish between the costs associated with providing education to students and the costs of other non-educational activities that tend to produce their own revenue. While tuition has increased rapidly, real cost per student for providing education has been roughly constant for nearly 20 years. Increased revenue from tuition has been almost precisely offset by reduced revenue from state appropriations."

SCUP members were sent a printed copy of this issue, can read the full article on line, and can download a PDF at no additional charge. Nonmembers can purchase a PDF of this article here.

Financial Planning: Strategies and Lessons Learned by Paul T. Brinkman and Anthony W. Morgan

"Financial planning is more important than ever as colleges and universities face serious if not unprecedented financial challenges."

Paul T. Brinkman and Anthony W. Morgan. 2010. Financial Planning: Strategies and Lessons Learned. Planning for Higher Education. 38(3): 5–14. 

This article is part of a themed issue of SCUP's journal, Planning for Higher Education, focusing on Issues in Higher Education Finance. Click, above, on the journal image to go to this issue's full table of contents or on the article title to go to this specific article.

Abstract - "Financial planning is an increasingly critical function within higher education institutions. Its pivotal and multifaceted role is described in detail in this article. Based on many years of experience in higher education, the authors offer practical suggestions on how best to locate the function organizationally and perform it effectively. They discuss how environmental trends, both external and internal, are likely to impact future financial planning, the several ways in which financial planning can add value in the decision-making process, and how organizational context influences financial planning. The focus throughout is on organizational dynamics rather than analytic models."

SCUP members were sent a printed copy of this issue, can read the full article on line, and can download a PDF at no additional charge. Nonmembers can purchase a PDF of this article here.