This research brief highlights current and projected economic trends that affect higher education and discusses some of their implications. The brief is organized into three sections: (1) national economic conditions affecting higher education, which presents data on gross national product, inflation, the Higher Education Price Index, the federal budget, and federal and state appropriations for postsecondary education; (2) the ability to pay for college, which presents data on student financial aid, family income, and disposable income and savings; and (3) future labor market trends, which presents data on participation in the labor force, and labor market shares of women and minorities. Analysis of these trends implies that the future will be marked by the opportunity for growth coupled with fiscal constraints. The brief concludes with descriptions of five data resources and a bibliography of 20 items. (JDD)