Red-State and Blue-State Colleges

Is it better to attend a state university in a blue state?
Maybe. A couple of new studies suggest that in states where Democrats dominate a legislature, public universities fare better in vacuuming up higher-ed dollars.

One study, which will be published soon by The Journal of Higher Education, looked at higher-ed state appropriations over a 20-year period. The researchers concluded that in states where Republican legislatures and governors reigned, spending was lower for public universities.

According to an article in Inside Higher Ed, however, it isn't just the blue-and-red pull that determines the flow of collegiate dollars. The old real estate adage -- location, location, location -- also plays an out-sized role. A study in the Journal of Education Finance observed that campuses closer to a state capitol enjoyed an edge over other campuses.

Checking political tea leaves, however, isn't going to be full proof. California, where I live, is one of the bluest of the blue states, but that's no consolation to the University of California system which is facing a catastrophic budget cutback of $531 million for the upcoming school year.