This booklet brings together much of the information one might need to understand and discuss higher education in Washington state. It highlights the most often asked questions about institutions, faculty, students, costs, budgets, financial aid, and other topics. Data are provided for the public research university systems, those of the University of Washington and Washington State University, and the state's four public comprehensive baccalaureate and master's level institutions, as well as the 34 public community and technical colleges, and 24 independent four-year institutions. Data on private career less-than-four-year institutions are not included. Data are grouped into these sections: (1) colleges and enrollments; (2) students, faculty, and staff; (3) readiness, participation in college, transfer, achievement; (4) higher education finances; and (5) financial aid. A glossary is attached. (Contains 24 tables and 43 figures.) (SLD)