Global higher education learning outcomes and financial trends: Comparative and innovative approaches

The cost of higher education continues to escalate at an alarming rate. Public and private funding sources from around the world are increasingly under pressure to reduce allocations toward higher education while at the same time raising outcome expectations. This financial outlook is projected to continue well into the future, and in many instances it is deemed unsustainable in the long run. Within this context, we examine good and best practices of higher education finance models in select international contexts. A primary objective of this paper is to examine exemplary models of learning outcomes and higher education financing models that can reduce or at least help level off this unsustainable trend. Ethnographic interviews were conducted with 60 content area experts with in-depth knowledge as administrators of seven case study higher education institutions. We conclude with recommendations to assist policy makers, government planners, and higher education administrators in their attempts to meet the financial challenges of today and in the future.