In higher education, the United States is the preeminent global leader, dominating the list of the world's top research universities. But there are signs that America's position of global leadership will face challenges in the future, as it has in other realms of international competition. "American Universities in a Global Market" addresses the variety of issues crucial to understanding this challenge. The book examines the various factors that contributed to America's success in higher education, including openness to people and ideas, generous governmental support, and a tradition of decentralized friendly competition. By discussing the differences in quality among students and institutions around the world, this volume sheds light on the singular aspects of American higher education.