Washington state law directs the state's Higher Education Coordinating Board to recommend state tuition and fee policies to the Governor and Legislature. As part of its analysis, the Board conducts an annual survey of tuition and fee rates at public colleges and universities in all 50 states to determine how Washington state tuition and fees compare both nationally and with other western states. Also examined is how tuition and fees at individual institutions compare with tuition and fees charged by comparable institutions nationwide. Findings show that Washington resident undergraduates pay somewhat less than the national average for tuition at the four-year institutions, but at the community and technical college level, Washington residents pay a little more than the national average. The difference between Washington and "average" tuition and fee rates are more pronounced among comparable (peer) institutions. Resident undergraduate tuition and fee rates in Washington are higher than in most western states, but Washington's rank in tuition levels among states and peers has remained steady. Significant spikes in tuition have occurred in every recession since the 1970s, and the cycle appears to be repeating. Over the last 10 years, tuition and fees have increased 103% at the University of Washington, while the national average of tuition and fees has increased 78% over the same period. Three appendixes discuss data methods, and list state tuition and fees by institution and institutions participating in the study. (Contains 10 figures and 37 tables.) (SLD)