Central Washington University vs. OC

Comparable Facts

Compare Central Washington University in Ellensburg, WA with Olympic College in Bremerton, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Central Washington University is larger than OC based on total student enrollment (10,811 students vs. 5,784 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central Washington University is located in Ellensburg, WA (Distant Town setting); Olympic College is in Bremerton, WA (Small City setting).
• Central Washington University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Olympic College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central Washington University 15:1; Olympic College 17:1.

Central Washington University vs. OC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central Washington University or OC? 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 Olympic College than Central Washington University ($8,157 vs. $19,898).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Olympic College are 36.3% lower than at Central Washington University ($10,500 vs. $16,480).
• Central Washington University is 124.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than OC (about $5,220 more per year; $9,417.00 vs. $4,197.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 182.6% higher at Central Washington University than at Olympic College (about $17,786 more per year; $27,526.00 vs. $9,740.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central Washington University than at Olympic College (85% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central Washington University students is 25.8% larger than aid received by Olympic College students ($8,816 vs. $7,007).

Central Washington University vs. OC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central Washington University or OC? 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 OC and Central Washington University.

• Olympic College reports an open admissions policy.
• 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; OC - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Central Washington University Mar 1, 2027.

Central Washington University vs. OC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central Washington University and OC? 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).

• Graduates from Central Washington University earn a median of about $12,000 more per year than OC graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $35,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Olympic College graduates have a $8,737 lower median loan debt than Central Washington University graduates ($12,000 vs. $20,737).
• Among borrowers, OC graduates have an estimated $90 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central Washington University graduates ($124 vs. $214).
• More Central Washington University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OC students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 39%)

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.