Just five years ago, public colleges and universities enjoyed their highest per-student levels of state and local government support in at least 25 years. By 2005, thanks to stagnant budgets and exploding demand, that figure had plummeted to a 25-year low. According to a report released today by State Higher Education Officers, state and local support amounted to $5,833 per student nationwide in 2005 - down from the $7,121 spent in 2001. However, overall, higher education appropriations grew by 3.5 percent last year and, despite the cutbacks early in the decade, are up about 7 percent since 2001 to nearly $59 billion. Yet compared to 2001, public colleges are accommodating 14 percent more students.