The status of quality control in U.S. higher education is discussed with an overview of the functions and structure of public and private colleges and universities. The book is divided into seven chapters: (1) outside controls (accrediting groups, governmental groups and other groups); (2) structure (board of control, president, organization); (3) finance and planning (money, accounting and budget; fund raising; and planning); (4) personnel (selection and performance, faculty, students, admission and financial aid); (5) program (curricula--undergraduate and graduate, teaching, research, and public service); (6) support services and activities (library, guidance, extracurricular activities, intercollegiate athletics, and auxiliary enterprises); and (7) other essentials (buildings and grounds, alumni/ae, public relations, standards and worth). A brief set of conclusions and a selected bibliography are appended. (KM)