Public higher education leaders enter the 2025 legislative sessions in an environment marked by both stability and uncertainty. The national economy remains on solid footing with low unemployment and cooling inflation, but the sizable state budget surpluses that have defined the post-pandemic era have given way to deficits in many states. The 2024 elections did not substantially shift political dynamics in most states, but a new administration in Washington and GOP control of Congress could lead to sweeping policy changes affecting both states and public higher education.
This report presents the top state policy priorities for 2025 based on a survey of members. At the top of the list: ensuring robust operating support from state governments. Respondents listed economic and workforce development as the second-highest priority for 2025, followed by state financial aid programs, restoring confidence in higher education’s value proposition, college completion and student success, affordability, and enrollment declines.