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In an effort to establish common expectations for college preparedness among incoming students, some states or higher education systems have adopted common admissions policies applicable to first-time, first-year students seeking admission at four-year institutions. Statewide or systemwide admissions standards commonly include minimum measures of academic performance, including class rank, high school GPA, completion of high school coursework or standardized assessment scores.
In some states, these policies apply across all public four-year institutions. In other states, they apply within a particular public higher education system. For example, states with multiple public university systems may have separate systemwide policies rather than a single statewide policy.
While some states grant individual institutions autonomy over additional requirements, more than half of states require a baseline of academic standards for admission to postsecondary institutions. Education Commission of the States researched admissions policies in all states to provide this comprehensive resource. Click on the questions below for 50-State Comparisons that show how all states approach the specific statewide admissions policies. Click here to view individual state profiles detailing data elements for a single state.
Does the state have a common statewide or systemwide admissions policy?
Does the policy include multiple measures to determine admission?
Does the state have a direct admissions policy?
All data points for all states.
Thirty states have either a statewide or systemwide admissions policy for four-year institutions. One additional state, Minnesota, has been identified since our previous comparison in 2022.
Twenty-seven states’ admissions policies provide alternative opportunities for admission to students who do not meet minimum standards.
Seventeen states have direct admissions policies or programs for high school students who meet certain criteria.
Common statewide admissions policy: A policy that sets minimum admissions standards for first-time, first-year students. The policy is applicable to all public postsecondary institutions in the state, all postsecondary institutions in a certain sector and/or all postsecondary institutions in a certain system.
Multiple measures to determine admission: Whether a student is admitted to an institution or system is determined by a combination of factors, including performance on assessments, class rank, high school GPA, completion of high school coursework or an index. An index refers to a formula or scoring method that combines multiple academic measures (e.g., GPA, class rank, and assessment scores) into a single admissions benchmark.
Alternative opportunities for students who do not meet minimum standards: Policies that allow students who do not meet the established minimum admissions standards to be admitted to institutions or systems based on other criteria outlined in policy. For the purposes of this comparison, Education Commission of the States examined alternative opportunities for first-time, first-year students, although states offer alternatives for specific student populations (e.g., transfer students, out-of-state students).
Direct admissions: Policies that proactively notify or admit students to one or more public postsecondary institutions based on predetermined criteria. For the purposes of this comparison, Education Commission of the States includes direct admissions policies and programs established in statute, board policy, system policy or through agency-led statewide initiatives. Where a direct admissions program was not codified in state policy, sources may include official program pages or other state, system or agency materials describing the program.
Addressing Inequities in Higher Education
View individual state profiles on statewide admissions policies by selecting a state below, or view 50-State Comparisons on each data point.
View individual state profiles on k-12 governance policies by selecting a state below or view 50-State Comparisons on each data point.
Education policy is shaped by each state’s constitution and laws, how leadership roles are structured and filled, and the authority different state policymakers hold. These systems can be complex and look different from state to state. Despite these differences and complexities, recognizing shared K-12 governance approaches can help shed light on how education decisions are made and how policy takes shape.
This resource provides a national overview of constitutional language across states and explores how constitutional and statutory language provides for appointments as well as powers and duties of key policymaking roles in K-12 education policy.
Click on the questions below to access 50-State Comparisons for each of the data points.
Click here to view individual state profiles detailing all data elements for a single state.
For our interactive map of enacted and vetoed state legislation from the current legislative sessions, please click here.
For legislation prior to this year, select by state or from the list of topics below:
Accountability
Accountability--Accreditation
Accountability--Measures/Indicators
Accountability--Reporting Results
Accountability--Rewards
Accountability--Sanctions/Interventions
Accountability--Sanctions/Interventions--Takeovers
Accountability--School Improvement
Adult Basic Education
Assessment
Assessment--Accommodations
Assessment--College Entrance Exams
Assessment--End-of-Course
Athletics/Extracurricular Activities
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Alternative Education
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Drugs/Alcohol
Attendance
Attendance--Compulsory
Attendance--Statutory Ages (Upper and Lower)
Attendance--Truancy/Chronic Absence
Background Checks
Business Involvement
Career/Technical Education
Career/Technical Education--Career Academies/Apprenticeship
Cheating
Choice of Schools
Choice of Schools--Charter Schools
Choice of Schools--Charter Schools--Charter Districts
Choice of Schools--Charter Schools--Closings
Choice of Schools--Charter Schools--Cyber Charters
Choice of Schools--Charter Schools--Finance
Choice of Schools--Charter Schools--Research
Choice of Schools--Choice/Open Enrollment
Choice of Schools--Innovation Schools
Choice of Schools--Magnet or Specialized Schools
Choice of Schools--Tax Credits
Choice of Schools--Vouchers
Civic Education
Civic Education--Character Education
Class Size
Common Core State Standards and Assessments
Competency-Based Education (K-12)
Counseling/Guidance
Curriculum
Curriculum--Arts Education
Curriculum--Computer Science
Curriculum--Drivers Education
Curriculum--Family Living Education
Curriculum--Financial Literacy/Economics Ed.
Curriculum--Foreign Language/Sign Language
Curriculum--Health and Nutrition Education
Curriculum--Language Arts
Curriculum--Language Arts--Writing/Spelling
Curriculum--Mathematics
Curriculum--Multicultural
Curriculum--Physical Education
Curriculum--Science
Curriculum--Sex Education
Curriculum--Social Studies/History
Data-Driven Improvement
Demographics
Desegregation
Education Research
English Language Learner/Bilingual
Equity
ESSA--Every Student Succeeds Act
Federal
Federal--Legislation
Finance
Finance--Adequacy/Core Cost
Finance--Aid to Private Schools
Finance--Bonds
Finance--District
Finance--Equity
Finance--Facilities
Finance--Federal
Finance--Funding Formulas
Finance--Litigation
Finance--Local Foundations/Funds
Finance--Lotteries
Finance--Performance Funding
Finance--Private Giving
Finance--Resource Efficiency
Finance--State Budgets/Expenditures
Finance--Student Fees
Finance--Taxes/Revenues
Finance--Taxes/Revenues--Alternative Revenues
Governance
Governance--Deregulation/Waivers/Home Rule
Governance--Ethics/Conflict of Interest
Governance--Mandates
Governance--Regional Entities
Governance--School Boards
Governance--School Boards--Training
Governance--Site-Based Management
Governance--State Boards/Chiefs/Agencies
Health
Health--Child Abuse
Health--Mental Health
Health--Nutrition
Health--School Based Clinics or School Nurses
Health--Suicide Prevention
Health--Teen Pregnancy
High School
High School--Advanced Placement
High School--College Readiness
High School--Dropout Rates/Graduation Rates
High School--Dual/Concurrent Enrollment
High School--Early Colleges/Middle Colleges
High School--Equivalency Exams/Credentials
High School--Exit Exams
High School--Graduation Requirements
Instructional Approaches
Instructional Approaches--Grading Practices
Instructional Approaches--Homeschooling
Integrated Services/Full-Service Schools
International Baccalaureate
Leadership
Leadership--District Superintendent
Leadership--District Superintendent--Compensation and Diversified Pay
Leadership--Principal/School Leadership
Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Certification and Licensure
Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Compensation and Diversified Pay
Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Evaluation and Effectiveness
Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Induction Programs and Mentoring
Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Preparation
Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Professional Development
Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Recruitment and Retention
Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Tenure
Mentoring/Tutoring
Middle School
Minority/Diversity Issues
Minority/Diversity Issues--African American
Minority/Diversity Issues--American Indian / Alaska Native / Native Hawaiian
Minority/Diversity Issues--Hispanic
No Child Left Behind
No Child Left Behind--Reauthorization Issues/Waivers
Online Learning--Digital/Blended Learning
Online Learning--Virtual Schools/Courses
P-16 or P-20
P-3
P-3 Child Care
P-3 Content Standards and Assessment
P-3 Data Systems
P-3 Early Intervention (0-3)
P-3 English Language Learners (ELL)
P-3 Ensuring Quality
P-3 Evaluation/Economic Benefits
P-3 Finance
P-3 Governance
P-3 Grades 1-3
P-3 Health and Mental Health
P-3 Kindergarten
P-3 Kindergarten--Full-Day Kindergarten
P-3 Parent Engagement
P-3 Preschool
P-3 Principals/Leadership
P-3 Public/Private Partnerships
P-3 Special Ed./Inclusion
P-3 Teaching Quality/Professional Development
P-3 Technology
Parent/Family
Parent/Family--Parent Rights
Partnerships--University/School
Postsecondary--Academics and Student Support Services
Postsecondary--Accountability
Postsecondary--Campus Safety
Postsecondary--Completion/Attainment
Postsecondary--Developmental/Remedial Education
Postsecondary--Finance
Postsecondary--Financial Aid
Postsecondary--Governance
Postsecondary--Online Education
Postsecondary--Postsecondary/K-12 Alignment
Postsecondary--Student Longitudinal Data Systems
Postsecondary--Student Populations
Postsecondary--Transfer and Articulation
Postsecondary--Tuition/Costs/Student Debt
Postsecondary--Workforce Development Alignment
Private Schools
Privatization
Promotion/Retention
Public Involvement
Reading/Literacy
Religion
Remediation (K-12)
Rural
Scheduling/School Calendar
Scheduling/School Calendar--Day/Class Length
Scheduling/School Calendar--Extended Day Programs
Scheduling/School Calendar--Summer School
Scheduling/School Calendar--Week
Scheduling/School Calendar--Year
Scheduling/School Calendar--Year Round
School Climate/Culture
School Safety
School Safety--Bullying Prevention/Conflict Resolution
School Safety--Corporal Punishment
School Safety--Discipline/Code of Conduct
School Safety--Emergency Preparedness
School Safety--Expulsion/Suspension
School Safety--No Child Left Behind--Safe Schools
School Safety--Sexual Harassment and Assault
School Safety--Special Education
School Safety--Uniforms/Dress Codes
School/District Structure/Operations
School/District Structure/Operations--District Consolidation/Deconsolidation
School/District Structure/Operations--District Size
School/District Structure/Operations--Facilities
School/District Structure/Operations--Food Service
School/District Structure/Operations--Libraries
School/District Structure/Operations--Personnel (Non-Teaching)
School/District Structure/Operations--Shared Services
School/District Structure/Operations--Staffing Ratios
School/District Structure/Operations--Transportation
Service-Learning
Social/Emotional Learning and Non-Cognitive Skills
Special Education
Special Education--Finance
Special Education--Placement
Special Populations
Special Populations--Corrections Education
Special Populations--Foster Care
Special Populations--Gifted and Talented
Special Populations--Homeless Education
Special Populations--Immigrant Education
Special Populations--Migrant Education
Special Populations--Military
Standards
State Comparisons/Statistics
State Longitudinal Data Systems
State Policymaking
State Policymaking--Task Forces/Commissions
STEM
Student Achievement
Student Achievement--Closing the Achievement Gap
Student Records
Student Surveys
Students
Teaching Quality
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Alternative
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Highly Qualified Teachers
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Natl. Bd. for Prof. Teach. Stds.
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Special Education
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--State Prof. Standards Bds.
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Substitute Teachers
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay--Pay-for-Performance
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay--Retirement/Benefits
Teaching Quality--Evaluation and Effectiveness
Teaching Quality--Induction Programs and Mentoring
Teaching Quality--Paraprofessionals
Teaching Quality--Preparation
Teaching Quality--Professional Development
Teaching Quality--Recruitment and Retention
Teaching Quality--Recruitment and Retention--At-Risk Schools
Teaching Quality--Recruitment and Retention--High-Needs Subjects
Teaching Quality--Reduction in Force
Teaching Quality--Teacher Attitudes
Teaching Quality--Teacher Contracts (Not Tenure)
Teaching Quality--Teacher Rights
Teaching Quality--Tenure or Continuing Contract
Teaching Quality--Unions/Collective Bargaining
Teaching Quality--Working Conditions
Technology
Textbooks and Open Source
Urban
Youth Engagement
States often publish data dictionaries or manuals that showcase which data elements their systems collect. This resource links to every public education-to-workforce data dictionary, data manual, or related document our team identified in early care and education, K-12, postsecondary and workforce data systems across all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Explore the following data points in our 50-State Comparison:
This directory is part of our toolkit designed to support states in creating more effective data systems by using the Education-to-Workforce Indicators Framework created by the Gates Foundation and Mathematica.
This resource is a part of a toolkit designed to help states create more effective data systems.
This dashboard is aligned with the Education-to-Workforce Indicators Framework, which outlines 99 indicators spanning early care and education, K-12, postsecondary, workforce and related systems. Developed by the Gates Foundation and Mathematica, it helps states use data to advance educational opportunity and economic mobility.
You'll find links to thousands of public dashboards and reports that provide information on education and workforce across every state and the District of Columbia. This resource aims to help state education and workforce leaders gauge how fully they can answer essential questions about student progress from early education into the workforce.
Public postsecondary institutions rely on state funding serving as one of the primary sources of funding for public two- and four-year institutions. States vary considerably in how they structure their budget processes and which metrics they prioritize in determining funding levels. This 50-State Comparison summarizes the key policy decisions state leaders make in funding higher education in their state, including: the state’s budget process; funding model; and which factors drive funding allocations, based on enrollment, staffing and facilities, and/or student performance.
The information has been collected from state statutes, state rules and regulations, state budget bills, and state postsecondary education board or agency policies. This resource does not include information related to setting tuition rates or student financial aid.
The 50-State Comparison was created in partnership with the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (NCHEMS). For more information on funding levels in states, please see the State Higher Education Finance Report prepared annually by the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association.
50-State Comparisons
Click the items below to see data for all states:
View a specific state’s approach by going to the state profiles page.
Key Takeaways
Budget Process: In many states, the postsecondary coordinating or governing board submits the budgetary request to the governor and state legislature rather than individual institutions submitting the request. This is the budget process in 44 states and the District of Columbia for 2-year institutions and 42 states and the District of Columbia for 4-year institutions.
Funding Model: States often use multiple approaches to determine funding levels for postsecondary institutions. These approaches may be based on historical funding levels (base plus), funding formulas, institutional requests or a combination of these methods. See the data point for definitions for each of the funding models.
Enrollment Factors: Most states factor in a measure of student enrollment, such as full-time equivalence, in the funding allocation to 2-year institutions (37 states) and 4-year institutions (29 states). States also factor in counts of specific student populations, such as students who are eligible to receive a Pell Grant.
Staffing and Facility Factors: States factor in a measure of staffing or facility needs, such as number of faculty or average compensation, in the funding allocation to 2-year institutions (21 states) and 4-year institutions (19 states).
Performance Factors: Most states factor in a performance measure, such as student completion, credential attainment or job placement, in the funding allocation to 2-year institutions (31 states) and 4-year institutions (29 states).
Related Resources
View individual state profiles on postsecondary education funding policies by selecting a state below or view 50-State Comparisons on each data point.
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