Central Washington University vs. Marshall University

Should I go to Central Washington University or Marshall University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Central Washington University or Marshall 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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Central Washington University vs. Marshall University comparison
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Central Washington University Marshall University
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Overview

Central Washington University Marshall University
Location Ellensburg, WA Huntington, WV
Setting Distant Town Small City
Enrollment 9,257 10,691
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #610 #813
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website cwu.edu marshall.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Central Washington University Marshall University
Tuition (In State) $6,816 $7,190
Tuition (Out of State) $23,881 $18,244
Room & Board $13,645 $11,840
Avg Net Price $15,864 $8,756
Avg Grant Aid $9,294 $11,221
% Receiving Grant Aid 73% 96%

Admission

Central Washington University Marshall University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,409 6,356
Admitted 5,992 6,158
Acceptance Rate 93.5% 96.9%
Enrolled % 23.5% 25.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.08 3.68
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/24 19/25
SAT Range 930/1150 930/1150
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Mar 1, 2025 Aug 10, 2025

Academics

Central Washington University Marshall University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (29%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (4%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (16%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

Central Washington University Marshall University
Graduation Rate 56% 44%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,800 $40,200
Making Student Loan Payments 60% 43%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,737 $23,134
Median Loan Payment $214 $239

Diversity

Central Washington University Marshall University
% Men 47% 40%
% Women 53% 60%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 59% 84%
% Black 4% 7%
% Hispanic 14% 2%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 7% 3%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 9% 1%

Students

Central Washington University Marshall University
% In-State 95% 79%
% Out-of-State 5% 20%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Marshall University is larger than than Central Washington University based on total student enrollment (10,691 students vs. 9,257 students)

Central Washington University vs. Marshall University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central Washington University or Marshall University?

  • Marshall University is 5.5% more expensive to attend than Central Washington University for in-state tuition ($7,190.00 vs. $6,816.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 30.9% higher at Central Washington University than Marshall University ($23,881.00 vs. $18,244.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Marshall University than Central Washington University ($8,756 vs. $15,864)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Marshall University are 15.2% lower than costs at Central Washington University ($11,840 vs. $13,645)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Marshall University than Central Washington University (96% vs. 73%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Marshall University students is 20.7% larger than aid received Central Washington University ($11,221 vs. $9,294)

Central Washington University vs. Marshall University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Marshall University (1028) is 50 points higher than at Central Washington University (978)
  • Incoming Marshall University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Central Washington University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Marshall University students have a 0.6 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Central Washington University (3.08)
  • Marshall University has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than Central Washington University (93.5%)

Central Washington University vs. Marshall University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Central Washington University or Marshall 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 Marshall University and Central Washington University.

  • The graduation rate at Central Washington University is higher than Marshall University (56% vs. 44%)
  • Graduates from Central Washington University earn on average $7,600 more per year than Marshall University graduates after ten years. ($47,800 vs. $40,200)
  • Central Washington University students graduate with a $2,397 lower median federal student loan debt than Marshall University graduates. ($20,737 vs. $23,134)
  • Central Washington University graduates are paying $25 less per month on federal student loans than Marshall University graduates. ($214 vs. $239)
  • More Central Washington University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Marshall University students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 43%)

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