Alternative Student-Based Revenue Streams for Higher Education Institutions: A Difference-in-Difference Analysis Using Guaranteed Tuition Policies

This study considered the impact of state-level guaranteed tuition programs on alternative student-based revenue streams. It used a quasi-experimental, difference-in-difference methodology with a panel dataset of public four-year institutions from 2000–2012. Illinois’ 2004 “Truth-in-Tuition” law was used as the policy of interest and the treatment condition. Following the introduction of Illinois’ guaranteed tuition law, required fees and out-of-state tuition increased significantly at institutions subject to the law, but not the number or percent of out-of-state students. These results were robust to specifications with alternative comparison groups and the inclusion of state-specific linear time trends.