Trends in Higher Education: Student Outcomes [Publication Details]

Apr 18, 2024 - This brief is the third of a six-part series covering higher education trends in California. The third brief focuses on student outcomes and how they have changed over the past few decades. The brief also raises key issues for the Legislature to consider as it makes related policy and budget decisions.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/4895

Assessment of CSU’s Graduation Initiative 2025

Dec 10, 2025 - Equity Gaps Systemwide Equity Gaps in Graduation Rates Remain Notable for First ‑Time Students. As   Figure  11 shows, equity gaps in graduation rates by race/ethnicity, income, and first ‑generation status persist.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5099

The 2026-27 Budget: Community College Facilities

Mar 17, 2026 - To receive state bond funding, a community college district must first submit a project proposal to the Chancellor ’s Office. Each year, the Chancellor ’s Office requests state funding for a subset of these project proposals, using a scoring system to prioritize among them.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5159

The 2026-27 Budget: California Education Learning Lab

Mar 25, 2026 - Introduction In this post, we first provide background on Learning Lab. We then discuss the Governor ’s proposal to continue the program, assess the proposal, and provide an associated recommendation.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5171

The 2026-27 Budget: California State University

Feb 24, 2026 - Without such a plan, CSU cannot be sure that the commitments will be honored, undermining the potential benefit of making the commitments in the first place. Recommendations Recommend Reducing or Eliminating Base Increases.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5142

The 2026-27 Budget: California Community Colleges

Mar 5, 2026 - We first provide background on these programs, next describe the Governor ’s proposal to provide a COLA for a subset of programs, and then raise an issue for legislative consideration. State Funds Many CCC Categorical Programs.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5150

The 2026-27 Budget: University of California

Feb 26, 2026 - Core Operations In this section, we first discuss UC ’s core funds and the extent to which UC relies on state support and tuition revenue for its core operations. We then highlight notable spending trends over the past decade.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5143

The 2025-26 California Spending Plan: Higher Education

Nov 14, 2025 - Chapter  622 of 2024 (AB  2508, McCarty) authorizes accounts for all foster youth in first through twelfth grade, whereas accounts previously were authorized only for foster youth in first grade. Deposits for foster youth remain set at $1,000.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5089

The 2026-27 Budget: California Student Aid Commission

Feb 17, 2026 - First implemented in 2014 ‑15, students with household incomes of up to $100,000 could have 40  percent of their tuition covered (when combined with all other public financial aid). Tuition coverage was graduated downward as household income rose, with students receiving 10  percent tuition coverage at $150,000.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5127

Trends in Higher Education [Publication Details]

Apr 30, 2025 - The first is to help legislators, staff, and the general public track many of the key changes that higher education has undergone over the past few decades. The second is to help legislators better navigate the future.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5071