Austin Peay State University vs. Central Washington University

Should I go to Austin Peay State University or Central Washington University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Austin Peay State University or Central Washington University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Austin Peay State University vs. Central Washington University comparison
Austin Peay State University Central Washington University College 3 College 4
Austin Peay State University Central Washington University
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Overview

Austin Peay State University Central Washington University
Location Clarksville, TN Ellensburg, WA
Setting Midsize City Distant Town
Enrollment 9,945 8,796
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #922 #667
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website apsu.edu cwu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Austin Peay State University Central Washington University
Tuition (In State) $7,008 $7,021
Tuition (Out of State) $12,552 $24,600
Room & Board $13,070 $16,314
Avg Net Price $14,679 $15,558
Avg Grant Aid $11,247 $8,970
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 90%

Admission

Austin Peay State University Central Washington University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,559 6,829
Admitted 5,334 6,161
Acceptance Rate 96% 90.2%
Enrolled % 30.8% 25.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.3 3.08
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/23 17/24
SAT Range 943/1165 930/1150
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 4, 2026 Mar 1, 2026

Academics

Austin Peay State University Central Washington University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (18%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (14%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (5%)
  • Communication (5%)
  • Business (29%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (4%)

Outcomes

Austin Peay State University Central Washington University
Graduation Rate 34% 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,400 $47,800
Making Student Loan Payments 44% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $20,737
Median Loan Payment $232 $214

Diversity

Austin Peay State University Central Washington University
% Men 4% 2%
% Women 9% 3%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 63% 59%
% Black 20% 4%
% Hispanic 6% 14%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 6% 7%
% International 0% 3%
% Unknown Race 2% 9%

Students

Austin Peay State University Central Washington University
% In-State 87% 93%
% Out-of-State 12% 6%

Campus

Austin Peay State University Central Washington University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Austin Peay State University is larger than than Central Washington University based on total student enrollment (9,945 students vs. 8,796 students)

Austin Peay State University vs. Central Washington University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Austin Peay State University or Central Washington University?

  • Central Washington University is 0.2% more expensive to attend than Austin Peay State University for in-state tuition ($7,021.00 vs. $7,008.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 96% higher at Central Washington University than Austin Peay State University ($24,600.00 vs. $12,552.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Austin Peay State University than Central Washington University ($14,679 vs. $15,558)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Austin Peay State University are 24.8% lower than costs at Central Washington University ($13,070 vs. $16,314)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Austin Peay State University than Central Washington University (94% vs. 90%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Austin Peay State University students is 25.4% larger than aid received Central Washington University ($11,247 vs. $8,970)

Austin Peay State University vs. Central Washington University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Austin Peay State University or Central Washington University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Central Washington University or Austin Peay State University .

  • The average SAT score at Austin Peay State University (1011) is 33 points higher than at Central Washington University (978)
  • Incoming Austin Peay State University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Central Washington University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Austin Peay State University students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Central Washington University (3.08)
  • Austin Peay State University has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than Central Washington University (90.2%)

Austin Peay State University vs. Central Washington University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Austin Peay State University or Central Washington University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Central Washington University and Austin Peay State University.

  • The graduation rate at Central Washington University is higher than Austin Peay State University (56% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from Central Washington University earn on average $10,400 more per year than Austin Peay State University graduates after ten years. ($47,800 vs. $37,400)
  • Central Washington University students graduate with a $1,763 lower median federal student loan debt than Austin Peay State University graduates. ($20,737 vs. $22,500)
  • Central Washington University graduates are paying $18 less per month on federal student loans than Austin Peay State University graduates. ($214 vs. $232)
  • More Central Washington University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Austin Peay State University students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 44%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/