Performance-based funding (PBF) is an important component of many states' higher education funding policies. A majority of U.S. states hold their public colleges accountable through the establishment of PBF indicators designed to boost student success. Recent national pushes for college student success, like the College Completion Agenda and the Complete College America Alliance, inspire a collective analysis of U.S. state PBF policies. I use document analysis and develop policy diffusion proxy models that explain commonality in various forms. My research inspires institutional leaders and state legislators to strategically fund postsecondary programs, faculty, and staff that influence student success. Although each state designs its own funding policy, these stakeholders can use this suggested national standard of practice to determine how their state's policies contribute to a national push for student success. This research also inspires scholars to expand the purview of state-level higher education policy to PBF's collective impact on U.S. higher education. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]