This edition of WICHE Insights, Tuition and Fees, Appropriations, and Financial Aid in the West, 2022-23: Trends and Implications. This edition of WICHE Insights discusses the most recent results of WICHE’s annual survey, Tuition and Fees in the West, as well as the recent trends in state appropriations and state financial aid. Overall, the most recent data highlights a positive trend in state higher education finance as most states reported minimal tuition rate changes along with increases in state appropriations and financial aid over the past academic and fiscal years.  Although most states increased state fiscal support over the past year, many higher education institutions and systems are facing rising costs and declining enrollments, presenting challenges in addressing affordability and meeting workforce needs. Key takeaways from the brief include:

• Regional average tuition and fees for resident undergraduates at public four-year institutions were $10,309 in academic year (AY) 2022-23, an increase of 2.8% from AY 2021-22.
• Regional average in-district tuition and fees at public two-year institutions, excluding California, were $4,303 in AY 2022-23 and increased 2.0% from the year prior.
• Every state in the region increased or maintained state fiscal support in FY 2023 compared to FY 2022.
• Total state financial aid dollars in the West have increased substantially in the past decade with more aid being awarded based on need than the national average.
• Although tuition, appropriations, and financial aid trends indicate a positive economic situation in recent years, institutions and systems face considerable challenges in declining enrollment and rising costs.