The pitfalls of differentiation in the financing of Russian universities

Objective to identify the causes and consequences of the increasing stratification of higher educational institutions by the volumes and sources of financing as well as by the areas of training. Methods during the research we used methods of statistical and economic analysis of the results of the universitiesrsquo activities. Using econometric models the relationships were estimated of the resource base of higher education industrial and economic potential of Russian regions an empirical analysis of factors influencing the increasing public demand for higher education was conducted. Results the trends of structural changes in the demand for higher education in Russia during the period from 2001 to 2014 were described the regional differentiation of financial provision of higher educational institutions in the transition to effective contract work was evaluated. The major risks were identified associated with the structural mismatch of the demand for higher education from families and the offer of admission quotas for the budgetfunded education with increasing regional differentiation which provokes the separation of the Russian universities by the volumes and sources of financial provision with high commitments to increase the salaries of the teaching staff leading to a shortage of funds for maintenance of the property complex and ensuring of the educational process which jeopardizes the quality of educational programsrsquo implementation. Scientific novelty basing on the empirical analysis using econometric models the tendencies are identified of structural changes in the demand for higher education in the Russian regions the impact is assessed of the economic crisis and the payable demand of families on the financial provision of universities risks are identified and justified in the differentiation of Russian universitiesrsquo financing. Practical significance the main provisions and conclusions of the article can be used by experts in the field of Economics and Management in designing financial provision and development strategies of higher educational organizations. nbs