摘要:The paper analyzes the impact of the higher education system on territorial development on the basis of modern statistical data. The assessment of the current state of affairs brings out a significant differentiation of regions by the number of universities and students who study there. The formed architecture of the higher education structure does not meet the modern requirements of the spatial development of Russia, contributing to the outflow of talented young people from peripheral regions, provoking uncompensated migration, causing a decrease in the equal accessibility of higher education and the effectiveness of meeting the demand for qualified personnel in regional labor markets. Given the results of the analysis, we draw a conclusion that it is necessary to intensify scientific research in the field in order to develop the latest theory and methodology for synchronizing and harmonizing the interests of the country and its territories.