Regional educational institutions have their own specificity: those safe intellectual potential and ethnic-and-cultural achievements of peoples of the territory, those increase social importance of higher education, and support social and economic development of territories. All this actualize the analysis of researches of Russian scientists dedicated to the issues of exploration of the essence and peculiarities of modern regional higher education institution. Purpose of the study: theoretical analysis of scientific literature for the purposes of definition of the role of regional higher education institutions and also of the main factors effecting its development in modern situation. Methods of the study: systemization and interpretation of the studies of scientists and pedagogues were performed on the basis of general theoretical methods. Results of the study: the role of modern regional higher education institution was revealed, its social mission was substantiated, the main factors influencing development of higher education institution in regions were defined. Practical implications: the materials presented in this article would be useful for specialists interested in the issues of higher education in Russia, for heads of educational institutions.

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