The 2026-27 Budget: California State University [Publication Details]

Feb 24, 2026 - The 2026-27 Budget: California State University [Publication Details] Description: In this brief, we review key funding and spending trends at the California State University (CSU), then analyze the Governor’s budget proposals relating to CSU’s core operations and enrollment.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5142

Trends in Higher Education [Publication Details]

Apr 30, 2025 - To this end, each brief is punctuated by key issues for legislators to consider as they move forward in making higher education policy and budget decisions. Reports by Policy Area
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5071

The 2026-27 Budget: California Student Aid Commission

Feb 17, 2026 - Revamped MCS Program Retained a Few Key Aspects of Original Program. In 2021, the state adopted legislation revamping the MCS program, with implementation beginning in the 2022 ‑23 academic year. Under the revamped program, students still do not have to demonstrate financial need.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5127

Assessment of the Strong Workforce Program

Dec 10, 2025 - One key issue the Strong Workforce Task Force identified was that CTE programs tend to have relatively high instructional costs. These costs are largely driven by a need for specialized equipment and facilities as well as smaller class sizes.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5098

The 2026-27 Budget: California State University

Feb 24, 2026 - In this brief, we review key funding and spending trends at the California State University (CSU), then analyze the Governor’s budget proposals relating to CSU’s core operations and enrollment.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5142

The 2026-27 Budget: California Community Colleges

Mar 5, 2026 - The key cost drivers for some categorical programs are employee ‑related, with costs rising as compensation increases. Some categorical programs also have enrollment ‑related cost drivers, with costs rising as the number of students eligible for the program increases.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5150

Assessment of CSU’s Graduation Initiative 2025

Dec 10, 2025 - Though GI  2025 tied state funding to a clear set of objectives, having multiple objectives meant campuses had to make key choices regarding how much effort and resources to dedicate to each objective.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5099

The 2026-27 Budget: California Education Learning Lab

Mar 25, 2026 - Learning Lab considers one of its key benefits that it fosters intersegmental collaboration across California ’s public higher education system. Learning Lab projects, however, are limited to a few faculty at a few campuses.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5171

The 2026-27 Budget: Higher Education Overview

Feb 5, 2026 - Key Considerations In this part of the brief, we raise some concerns with the Governor ’s proposed 2026 ‑27 budget for higher education and offer some recommendations for building a more sustainable budget.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5112

Trends in Higher Education: Student Access

Jan 23, 2024 - To this end, each brief is punctuated by key issues for legislators to consider as they move forward in making higher education policy a nd budget decisions. The six briefs within the series each contains a set of infographics highlighting trends over time.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4828