U.S. postsecondary education has enjoyed a strong history for more than 350 years but at the present time faces uncertainties never experienced in the past. American higher education enjoys the greatest diversity of students in its history and grants degrees to an ever-increasing number of students. Accountability for student learning outcomes as well as institutional administrative practices remains critical. American institutions will continue to put forth great effort and many dollars into ensuring the public that it is carrying out its mission well. Access to postsecondary education is generally open, but there are some troubling signs of a greater need to ensure the success of some minority students. Perhaps of greatest concern in the late years of the new millennium are the issues of affordability. College costs rise each year, and although the federal government is placing firm structures on affordability reform, federal requirements for greater affordability, as well as accountability, and access to potential students will both challenge current practices and likely lead to an even stronger system of postsecondary education in this country. In this article, the authors examine more closely the three issues of access, affordability, and accountability as they relate to U.S. postsecondary education. (Contains 2 tables and 1 figure.)