Higher Education Finance

John Aubrey Douglass

Senior Research Fellow

John Aubrey Douglass is Senior Research Fellow - Public Policy and Higher Education at the Center for Studies in Higher Education (CSHE), and is a faculty member in the Goldman School of Public Policy, at the University of California - Berkeley. His research focuses on the forces and politics of globalization, the future of Democracy, the role of universities in economic development and socioeconomic mobility, the student experience and...

Whether to fight or not - that is the question for the University of California

August 22, 2025

The battle between the Trump administration and the University of California over a proposed $1 billion fine is more than just a legal dispute—it's a critical moment for the future of America's public research universities.CSHE Senior Research Fellow John Aubrey Douglassdives into why this case is important and what it could mean for institutions nationwide.

CSHE Director Jesse Rothstein Provides Key Insights on University Budget

July 31, 2025

Jesse Rothstein recently shared critical insights into university financial operations during an interview with Julia Barajas from LAist, Southern California Public Radio's digital news and culture platform.

In this timely discussion, Rothstein clarified how college budgets function, underscored the vital importance of research grants, and addressed the significant financial challenges universities are currently navigating under the present administration.

Markets in Higher Education: Can We Still Learn From Economics' Founding Fathers?

Pedro Nuno Teixeira
2006

Markets or market-like mechanisms are playing an increasing role in higher education, with visible consequences both for the regulation of higher education systems as a whole, as well as for the governance mechanisms of individual institutions. This article traces the history of economists’ views on the role of education, from Adam Smith, John Stuart Mill, Alfred Marshall, and Milton Friedman, to present-day debates about the relevance of market economies to higher education policy. Recent developments in higher education policy reflect both the rising strength of market mechanisms...