SHEEO Releases Annual State Priorities Survey

"According to the latest annual State Priorities survey from the State Higher Education Executive Officers, college affordability jumped from the sixth-most-important policy issue among higher ed executives in 2025 to the second most this year. SHEEO researchers emphasized that affordability has "consistently [been] among the top priorities" for the roughly 45 state executives surveyed each year; the average score from respondents this year only increased 0.1 points on a 1-to-5 scale. Nonetheless, they agreed that the increase represents a significant and timely change-one that was likely influenced by the political climate in Washington."

""Affordability is the key overarching issue for policymakers heading into the 2026 midterm election, and state higher education leaders are certainly not immune from pressure to lower costs," said Tom Harnisch, SHEEO's vice president for government relations. "So there's going to be, I foresee, continued legislative efforts to hold the line on tuition, make increased investments in financial aid and address other areas that are related to college costs.""

"The increased focus on affordability has also been reflected in state legislation; 33 states indicated that they had instituted a tuition freeze and/or limit in at least one public higher education sector in the past five years. Another 20 have considered legislation to create or expand statewide promise programs, which provide free or significantly reduced college tuition for eligible students. But state systems still have work to do to address public concerns. Roughly 60 percent of all adults say cost is the biggest barrier preventing students from enrolling in or completing a postsecondary degree, according to a report from the left-leaning think tank New America."

College affordability rose from the sixth-most-important to the second-most-important policy issue for state higher education executives between 2025 and 2026. Affordability remains consistently among top priorities for roughly 45 surveyed state executives, with only a small average score increase of 0.1 on a 1-to-5 scale. Political pressures linked to the 2026 midterm election are driving expectations of legislative activity to limit tuition growth, expand financial aid, and pursue related cost-reduction measures. Thirty-three states enacted tuition freezes or limits recently, about 20 states considered or expanded promise programs, and roughly 60 percent of adults cite cost as the primary enrollment barrier.

Read at Inside Higher Ed | Higher Education News, Events and Jobs