In 2008, the university represented just 14.3 percent of the state's budget, compared to 1988-89 when it represented 21.3 percent.

Over the past 20 years, the shares of the state budget allocated to human services and Medicaid, and to K-12 and special education, have steadily increased while the university and state agencies have become a smaller part of the state’s budget.

Total state appropriations have increased by 257 percent in the past 20 years. Appropriations have increased by 430 percent to Medicaid, by 319 percent to K-12 and special education, by 172 percent to all other state agencies combined, by 161 percent to state colleges and by 132 percent to the University of Nebraska.

In 2008-09, 40 percent of the university's operating budget came from tuition and state appropriations; in 1988-89, this figure was 50 percent.

Since 2000, the state’s investment per student has declined by more than 10 percent (adjusted for inflation).