Higher education in Sub-Saharan African countries is examined. Attention is directed to the development of higher education in sub-Saharan African countries since the early 1960s, as well as criticisms currently directed at the sector, and the economic and budgetary environment for resource allocation. The labor market for African college graduates is also analyzed. Labor market summaries are constructed for 15 countries using a wide range of information including rate of return studies, wage structures and trends, recorded vacancies, levels of expatriate employment, and government employment policies. Also discussed are future developments in graduate labor markets and implications for higher education enrollment policy. The unit costs of universities in 24 countries are presented, along with case studies of staff/student ratios, levels of expatriate employment, nonacademic expenditures, and utilization rates of physical facilities. The feasibility of reducing unit costs and student withdrawal rates is also addressed, and examples of how particular policy changes affect costs are provided. The possibilities of reducing government expenditure on higher education through increasing students' contributions is discussed. Current arrangements for student financing for 24 countries are documented. (SW)