This article provides a systematic analysis of the theoretical and legal foundations of higher education financing in foreign countries. The study aims to identify the legal design of combining key funding sources, including state budgets, tuition-based contracts, grants, and philanthropic endowments, and to comparatively assess institutions that shape efficient financing. The methodology applies institutional analysis, content analysis of regulatory and legal acts, and a comparative approach using indicators from the OECD and the European Higher Education Area. The scientific novelty lies in interpreting financing models through a three-layer framework: the architecture of legal sources, allocation mechanisms, and accountability and transparency instruments. The results show how legal norms in different jurisdictions connect performance-based budgeting, student-centered voucher funding, and mixed grant–tuition schemes, thereby influencing autonomy, equity, and quality assurance in higher education systems

This article comparatively analyses financial management models in higher education institutions of the United States, Germany, South Korea and Finland, drawing on official financial reports and international organisation data. The study reveals key principles of foreign practice in revenue diversification, performance-based funding, competitive grant programmes and digital budget management. The findings are summarised as evidence-based practical recommendations for Uzbekistan's higher education institutions

This article empirically analyses the relationship between the Revenue Diversification Coefficient (RDC) and financial independence using official data from 38 OECD member countries. It has been established that RDC values vary significantly across countries, and that highly diversified systems weathered the 2008–2012 financial crisis with three times less financial damage. Based on international comparative analysis, recommendations have been developed for introducing RDC monitoring and expanding revenue sources in Uzbekistan's higher education institutions