Will State Colleges Become Federal Universities? - Richard Vedder, Bloomberg

The distinction between “state” and “private” universities was already blurred. Many so-called private universities, including prestigious ones such as Harvard or Stanford, receive more federal-government money per capita than nearby public schools such as the University of Massachusetts or San Jose State University. If distinctive state systems of public higher education fade away, that might lead to a more centrally directed federal system. As Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis pointed out 80 years ago, America’s states provide “laboratories of democracy” allowing 50 different approaches to providing public services. That useful diversity declines with increased federal financing of higher education. Although I see many advantages to privatizing state universities, if the result is complete federal control, we will have taken a step backward. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-11-27/will-state-colleges-become-federal-universities-.html