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EWU Washington State Western Washington University SPU UW-Seattle UWB Seattle U Whitworth University UWT Portland State University Gonzaga Saint Martin's University| Central Washington University | Pacific Lutheran University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
Central Washington University | PLU | ||
| Location | Ellensburg, WA | Tacoma, WA | ||
| Setting | Distant Town | Large Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 8,796 | 2,737 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #667 | #429 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | Evangelical Lutheran Church | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | cwu.edu | plu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Central Washington University | PLU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $7,021 | $49,472 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $24,600 | $49,472 | ||
| Room & Board | $16,314 | $12,446 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $15,558 | $23,841 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $8,970 | $39,464 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 90% | 99% |
Admission |
Central Washington University | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 6,829 | 4,139 | ||
| Admitted | 6,161 | 3,333 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 90.2% | 80.5% | ||
| Enrolled % | 25.5% | 18.7% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.08 | 3.71 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B | A- | ||
| Admissions Standards | Very Easy | Average | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 17/24 | 21/27 | ||
| SAT Range | 930/1150 | 988/1258 | ||
| 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, 2026 | Aug 15, 2026 |
Academics |
Central Washington University | PLU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 17:1 | 12:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Central Washington University | PLU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 56% | 66% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $47,800 | $52,300 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 60% | 74% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $20,737 | $25,800 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $214 | $266 |
Diversity |
Central Washington University | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 2% | 4% | ||
| % Women | 3% | 9% | ||
| Racial Diversity | High | Medium | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 59% | 68% | ||
| % Black | 4% | 3% | ||
| % Hispanic | 14% | 8% | ||
| % Native American | 1% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 1% | 1% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 7% | 7% | ||
| % International | 3% | 4% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 9% | 1% |
Students |
Central Washington University | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 93% | 80% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 6% | 12% | ||
Campus |
Central Washington University | PLU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | Yes | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Central Washington University is larger than than PLU based on total student enrollment (8,796 students vs. 2,737 students)
Central Washington University vs. PLU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Central Washington University or PLU?
- Pacific Lutheran University is 604.6% more expensive to attend than Central Washington University for in-state tuition ($49,472.00 vs. $7,021.00)
- Out of state tuition is 101.1% higher at PLU than Central Washington University ($49,472.00 vs. $24,600.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Central Washington University than PLU ($15,558 vs. $23,841)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 31.1% lower than costs at Central Washington University ($12,446 vs. $16,314)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Pacific Lutheran University than Central Washington University (99% vs. 90%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 340% larger than aid received Central Washington University ($39,464 vs. $8,970)
Central Washington University vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Central Washington University or PLU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between PLU or Central Washington University .
- The average SAT score at Pacific Lutheran University (1117) is 139 points higher than at Central Washington University (978)
- Incoming PLU students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Central Washington University (21)
- Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.63 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Central Washington University (3.08)
- Central Washington University has a higher acceptance rate (90.2%) than PLU (80.5%)
Central Washington University vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Central Washington University or PLU? 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 PLU and Central Washington University.
- The graduation rate at PLU is higher than Central Washington University (66% vs. 56%)
- Graduates from Pacific Lutheran University earn on average $4,500 more per year than Central Washington University graduates after ten years. ($52,300 vs. $47,800)
- Central Washington University students graduate with a $5,063 lower median federal student loan debt than PLU graduates. ($20,737 vs. $25,800)
- Central Washington University graduates are paying $52 less per month on federal student loans than PLU graduates. ($214 vs. $266)
- More PLU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central Washington University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 60%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/