What's Happening to Public Higher Education?

At the start of the 21st century, public higher education appears to be in a state of crisis. The overall share of state funding going to education has declined during the past 20 years, and with it the share of state ecucation funding going to higher education. Ehrenberg's research indicates that, as a result of these changes, faculty salaries at public doctoral institutions have declined over the past five years relative to faculty salaries at private doctoral institutions. This undoubtedly makes it more difficult for public institutions to attract high quality faculty.