State “Free College” Programs - Implications for States and Independent Higher Education and Alternative Policy Approaches

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Jacob

State “Free College” Programs: Implications for States and Independent Higher Education and Alternative Policy Approaches presents an assessment of the status and effects of free-college and related college affordability policies in early mover states, focusing on Tennessee, Oregon, and New York (with additional comparative coverage across four states). The report examines program affordability impacts, models student aid enhancements, and evaluates an approach based on capitation to encourage greater state use of private higher-education capacity. It also frames policy considerations for independent higher education leadership and public understanding of private education’s societal contributions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages52

Reading Time2 h 11 min

AccessFree to download

Preface

Executive Summary

Introduction

Section One: Assessment of Four States’ College Affordability Programs

Section Two: State Student Aid Enhancement Simulations

Section Three: A Capitation-Based Approach to Incentivizing More State Use of Private Higher Education Capacity

Conclusion

Appendix A

Appendix B

References

State “Free College” Programs: Implications for States and Independent Higher Education and Alternative Policy Approaches William Zumeta and Nick Huntington-Klein © 2020 Council of Independent Colleges The Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) is an association of 770 nonprofit colleges and universities, state-based councils of independent colleges, and other higher education affiliates that works to support college and university leadership, advance institutional excellence, and enhance public understanding of private education’s contributions to society. CIC is the major national organization that focuses on providing services to leaders of independent colleges and universities. CIC offers conferences, seminars, and other programs that help institutions improve educational quality, administrative and financial performance, student outcomes, and institutional visibility. CIC conducts the largest annual conferences of college and university presidents and of chief academic officers in the United States. Founded in 1956, CIC is headquartered at One Dupont Circle in Washington, DC. For more information, [visit](visit www.cic.edu)[ www.cic.edu](visit www.cic.edu). Generous support for the preparation of this report has been provided by the Charles Koch Foundation. State “Free College” Programs: Implications for States and Independent Higher Education and Alternative Policy Approaches William Zumeta and Nick Huntington-Klein A Report for the Council of Independent Colleges May 2020 About the Authors William Zumeta is professor of public policy and higher education at the University of Washington in Seattle where he has taught since 1985. He is a fellow of the TIAA Institute and previously served as senior fellow at the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education (2005–2011) . In 2009– 2010, Zumeta was president of the Association for the Study of Higher Education. Earlier, he taught at UCLA as well as the University of British Columbia and Claremont Graduate University. Zumeta’s research touches on many aspects of public policy toward postsecondary education at all levels, and he has studied the private sector ofacademe extensively. His most recent book is Financing American Higher Education in the Era of Globalization, co-authored with Patrick Callan, David Breneman, and Joni Finney (2012) . In 2011, Zumeta co-edited with Daniel Levy a special issue of the Journal of Comparative Policy Analysis titled,“Private Higher Education and Public Policy: A Global Comparative View.” He holds a BA from Haverford College and a PhD in public policy from the University of California, Berkeley. Nick Huntington-Klein is assistant professor of economics at California State University, Fullerton. His research interests include choice in higher education, decision making under uncertainty and risk, and teacher labor markets. Some of his work has been published in the Economics of Education Review, Research in Higher Education, Education Finance and Policy, and as policy briefs and working papers atthe Center for Education Data and Research. One chapter of his dissertation,“Beliefs, Choice Structure, and Human Capital Investment,” was published in the Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization. He holds a PhD in economics from the University of Washington and a BA from Reed College. Acknowledgements The authors wish to thank Harold V. Hartley III and Lesley McBain of the Council of Independent Colleges for their support of this project, as well as support of their earlier work. In addition, the authors would like to thank the following for insights and/or data: Mary Beth Labate, president of the Commission on Independent Colleges & Universities in New York (CICU), and Keith Cushing, CICU vice president for research; Tom Hilliard, formerly of the Center for an Urban Future in New York; Terry Standish-Kuon, president of the Independent Colleges of Washington; Daryl Monear of the Washington Student Achievement Co

FAQs

What does the report evaluate about “free college” policies?

It assesses the status and effects of “free college” and related college affordability policies, focusing on implications for states and independent higher education.

Which topics are covered in the three main sections?

The report covers affordability-program assessment across four states, simulations for enhancing state student aid, and a capitation-based approach to incentivize more state use of private higher-education capacity.

Why is the report’s timing noted regarding COVID-19?

The manuscript was researched and written before COVID-19 appeared in the United States, so the full implications of the pandemic and its economic fallout were not yet determined.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Jacob