After the 1970s, what change occurred regarding tuition at higher education institutions in Texas?

The correct answer highlights a significant shift in how tuition was structured at higher education institutions in Texas after the 1970s. Specifically, tying the amount of tuition paid to the number of semester hours taken reflects a move toward providing more financial flexibility to students based on their individual course loads. This change allowed for a more equitable and personalized approach, where students who enrolled in more courses would pay higher tuition proportional to their enrollment.

In contrast, removing all state funding for institutions would have drastically changed the landscape of higher education funding and accessibility, which did not occur. The idea of uniform tuition for all students does not align with the varied course loads and financial needs of students, as it wouldn't account for part-time versus full-time enrollment. Similarly, while eliminating tuition for in-state students would be a substantial policy decision aimed at increasing access to education, this did not happen; instead, adjustments were made to how existing tuition was structured and implemented. Thus, linking tuition to semester hours taken aligns most accurately with the changes that occurred in higher education financing in Texas during that era.