This collection of papers is the result of a project by the Institute for Higher Education Policy designed to explore the public policy aspects of higher education cost measurement (expenditure analysis). Papers come from a 1-day seminar in 1999 that brought together individuals knowledgeable about cost measurement with institutional leaders and policy experts. Participants were asked to focus on the public policy dimensions of cost measurement; the audiences for cost analysis and the purposes and uses they have for it; the necessity for uniform cost reporting; and whether regulatory solutions are needed at either the federal or state level. A preface reviews the papers and summarizes discussions at the seminar. The papers are as follows: "A View from the States: A Survey of the Collection and Use of Cost Data by States" (Mary McKeown Moak); "The Delaware Study of Instructional Costs and Productivity: A Consortial Approach to Assessing Instructional Expenditures" (Michael F. Middaugh); and "An Alternative Look at the Cost Question" (Dennis P. Jones). A seminar agenda and list of seminar participants are also provided. (SM)