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Reports & Publications

View WSAC Publications

Click on the tabs below to view a list of WSAC publications by subject area.

Feature Publication

Washington Public Enrollment Trends

As Washington aims to increase postsecondary educational attainment and equity in the state, enrollment is a key focus. Although initial post-pandemic gains appeared promising, enrollment at Washington public institutions has not fully recovered or stabilized. The challenge is urgent, as the number of Washington high school graduates is projected to decline after 2026.

This annual research brief first describes public enrollment trends by sector, then by students’ financial aid status, race/ethnicity, gender, age group, state residency, and enrollment intensity. Lastly, it discusses enrollment for new students and transfer students.

Read the snapshot (PDF, 215.79 KB). Read the research brief (PDF).

 

Research and Data

Research and Data

 

Equity

  • Research Digest: Uneven educational attainment impedes progress towards state goal (2024 Digest | PDF (PDF, 543.39 KB))
  • State Strategies for Building Equitable Access to and Success in Postsecondary Education (2022 (PDF, 448.02 KB))
  • Equity Can't Wait: Examining Racial Disparities in K-12 Education in Washington State (2022 Snapshot (PDF, 319.94 KB) | Report (PDF, 860.28 KB))
  • The Digital Divide: Examining High-Speed Internet and Computer Access for Washington Students (2021 (PDF))
  • What Evidence from Research Tells Us: Closing Racial Equity Gaps in K-12 Postsecondary Transitions - Research Spotlight (2021 (PDF))
  • Equity Landscape: Exploring Equity Gaps in Washington Postsecondary Education (2020 Snapshot (PDF) | Report (PDF))
  • What Evidence from Research Tells Us: Closing Equity Gaps in Postsecondary Access and Completion (2020 (PDF))
  • Access and Diversity in the Running Start Program (2014 (PDF))
  • Collaborative Efforts to Improve Access to Postsecondary Education for Students with Disabilities (2013 (PDF))
  • Educational Attainment for All: Diversity and Equity in Washington State Higher Education (2013 (PDF))

 

Affordability

 

Enrollment

Completion

  • Learning Brief: Washington’s ASAP Exploration (PDF (PDF))
  • Research Digest: The pandemic's impact on credential attainment (2024 Digest | PDF (PDF, 446.06 KB))
  • Postsecondary Program Participation and Completion Patterns Among Individuals Incarcerated in Washington State Prisons (2021 (PDF)) - Developed for WSAC by the Washington State Institute for Public Policy, in partnership with the Dept. of Corrections and State Board for Community & Technical Colleges
  • Some College, No Degree: A look at those who left early (2015 (PDF))

 

Basic Needs

 

Regional Partnerships

 

Labor Market

  • Apprenticeships Now: Trends, Investments, and Opportunities Nationally and in Washington (2025 (PDF))
  • Career Connect Washington Legislative Report (2025 (PDF))
  • Washington Health Corps Evaluation Findings (2025 (PDF, 378.64 KB))
  • New and Expanded Cybersecurity and Nursing Programs (2024 (PDF, 893.2 KB))
  • Washington State STEM Education Report Card (2024 (PDF))
  • Higher Education and Labor Market (HELM) Report (2023 (PDF, 1.33 MB))
  • Pathways to Higher Education Credentials and Funding for Apprenticeships: Year One Integrated Summary Report (2023 (PDF))
    • Appendix A – Situation Assessment of Pathways to Higher Education Credentials and Funding for Apprenticeships (2023 (PDF))
    • Appendix B – Education Northwest: Apprenticeship and Higher Education Research Report (2023 (PDF))
  • Annual Report to the Legislature: Assessment as to Whether the State Should Establish an Institution, or Centralized Program, for Apprentices to Receive Related Supplemental Instruction for Credit Toward a Degree (2023 (PDF))
  • New and Expanded Cybersecurity and Nursing Programs Progress Report (2023 (PDF, 922.16 KB))
  • COVID-19 Reskilling and Upskilling (2020 Report Snapshot (PDF) I Report (PDF))
  • COVID 19 Reskilling and Upskilling Regional Highlights:
  • Exploring the Computer-Related Workforce of Washington State (2020 (PDF))
  • Washington's Skilled and Educated Workforce Report (2021 (PDF, 1.75 MB)) (2019 (PDF)) (2017 (PDF)) (2015 (PDF)) (2013 (PDF))
  • Educator Field Placement in Rural Areas (2019 (PDF))
  • For-Profit Degree-Granting Institutions and Private Vocational Schools in Washington - Phase II Report (2017 (PDF))
  • Regional Educational Needs Assessment (2017 (PDF))
  • Situation Assessment of the Regulation of For-Profit and Private Vocational Schools in Washington (2016 (PDF))
  • Southeast King County Higher Education Needs Assessment and Operating Plan Report (2016 (PDF))

 

K-12

  • Measuring the Impact of Charter Schools: Student Outcomes in 2023–24 (2025 (PDF, 484.82 KB))
  • Increasing Equitable Access, Participation, and Success for Students in Dual Credit Legislative Report from the Dual Credit Task Force (2021 (PDF))
  • Dual Credit Report (2016 (PDF))
  • Advanced Placement and College Credit: Policy Brief (2014 (PDF))
  • Credit-by-Exam Acceptance Policies (2014 (PDF))

 

Prior Learning Assessment

 

Transfer

 

Tuition and Fees

Residency

Roadmap and Strategic Planning

Roadmap and Strategic Planning

Strategic Action Plans

 

Roadmap Updates

 

Issue Briefs

2019

2017

2015

2013

Financial Aid Programs

Financial Aid Programs

Financial Aid Programs Expenditure Reports

 

Financial Aid Legislative Reports

Grant Awards

Grant Awards

Open Educational Resources

  • Open Educational Resources Grant Pilot Program (2019 (PDF))
  • Final Report - Western Washington University (2019 (PDF))
  • Final Report - Central Washington University (2019)
  • Report to the Legislature - Higher Education OER Grant Program (2019 (PDF))

Wrestling Grant Program

This page contains reports produced by the Washington Student Achievement Council since its inception on July 1, 2012. Reports and publications produced by its predecessor agency, the Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB), can be found in our archives.