Central Washington University vs. NCA

Comparable Facts

Compare Central Washington University in Ellensburg, WA with Northwest College of Art & Design in Tacoma, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Central Washington University is larger than NCA based on total student enrollment (10,811 students vs. 139 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central Washington University is located in Ellensburg, WA (Distant Town setting); Northwest College of Art & Design is in Tacoma, WA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Central Washington University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwest College of Art & Design is a private, for-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central Washington University 15:1; Northwest College of Art & Design 34:1.

Central Washington University vs. NCA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central Washington University or NCA? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northwest College of Art & Design than Central Washington University ($14,818 vs. $19,898).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwest College of Art & Design are 6.7% lower than at Central Washington University ($15,384 vs. $16,480).
• Northwest College of Art & Design is 92.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central Washington University (about $8,683 more per year; $18,100.00 vs. $9,417.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 52.1% higher at Central Washington University than at Northwest College of Art & Design (about $9,426 more per year; $27,526.00 vs. $18,100.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwest College of Art & Design than at Central Washington University (87% vs. 85%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwest College of Art & Design students is 63.4% larger than aid received by Central Washington University students ($14,406 vs. $8,816).

Central Washington University vs. NCA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central Washington University or NCA? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between NCA and Central Washington University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central Washington University 930/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central Washington University 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central Washington University - Test-free; NCA - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Central Washington University Mar 1, 2027.
• Central Washington University has a higher acceptance rate (90.6%) than NCA (66%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20% at Central Washington University vs. 40.6% at NCA.

Central Washington University vs. NCA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central Washington University and NCA? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Northwest College of Art & Design's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Central Washington University's (56%).
• Graduates from Central Washington University earn a median of about $18,200 more per year than NCA graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $29,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Central Washington University graduates have a $10,263 lower median loan debt than NCA graduates ($20,737 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, Central Washington University graduates have an estimated $106 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NCA graduates ($214 vs. $320).
• More Central Washington University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NCA students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 47%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.