Results of a study concerning the relationships between state policies and private college enrollments, enrollment demographics, and finance are presented. After considering national enrollment trends in the independent sector, attention is directed to the impacts on private colleges of state fiscal policies, including aid to private colleges and their students as well as tuition levels at the public sector. Also considered are results of research in five states on the nature and impacts on the private sector of states' higher education planning and program review policies, as well as policies toward information collection and dissemination in higher education. The research also examines the impact of state policies concerning access/choice. Three model state policy postures toward private higher education are addressed: the laissez-faire approach (California and Texas), the market-competitive posture (Indiana), and the regulatory posture (New York and Illinois). Data were also obtained from a survey of state independent college association executive officers from 19 states. Appended is the questionnaire for this survey, which was conducted by the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities. (SW)