Central Washington University vs. UWT

Deciding between Central Washington University and University of Washington Tacoma Campus? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Central Washington University
University of Washington Tacoma Campus

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Central Washington University Ellensburg, WA
  • UWT Tacoma, WA
  • Setting
  • Central Washington University Distant Town
  • UWT Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Central Washington University 10,811
  • UWT 4,965
  • Type
  • Central Washington University Public 4 Year
  • UWT Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Central Washington University #621
  • UWT
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Central Washington University -
  • UWT -
  • Status
  • Central Washington University Non-profit
  • UWT Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Central Washington University
  • UWT
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Central Washington University $9,417
  • UWT $13,168
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Central Washington University $27,526
  • UWT $43,404
  • Room & Board
  • Central Washington University $16,480
  • UWT $16,371
  • Average Net Price
  • Central Washington University $19,898
  • UWT $13,898
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Central Washington University $8,816
  • UWT $12,161
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Central Washington University 85%
  • UWT 86%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Central Washington University 8,919
  • UWT 4,068
  • Admitted
  • Central Washington University 8,082
  • UWT 3,357
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Central Washington University 90.6%
  • UWT 82.5%
  • Enrolled
  • Central Washington University 20%
  • UWT 21.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Central Washington University 1040
  • UWT 1070
  • Typical ACT score
  • Central Washington University 20
  • UWT 20
  • Average High School GPA
  • Central Washington University 3.08
  • UWT 3.41
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Central Washington University B
  • UWT B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Central Washington University Very Easy
  • UWT Very Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Central Washington University
  • UWT
  • ACT Range
  • Central Washington University 17/24
  • UWT 16/24
  • SAT Range
  • Central Washington University 930/1150
  • UWT 960/1180
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Central Washington University Test-free
  • UWT Test-free
  • Application Deadline
  • Central Washington University Mar 1, 2027
  • UWT Jun 30, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Central Washington University 15:1
  • UWT 15:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Central Washington University
    • Business (29%)
    • Education (16%)
    • Social Sciences (14%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (4%)
  • UWT
    • General Studies (48%)
    • Business (22%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (10%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Social Sciences (5%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Central Washington University 56%
  • UWT -
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Central Washington University $47,800
  • UWT $65,800
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Central Washington University 60%
  • UWT 76%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Central Washington University $20,737
  • UWT $15,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Central Washington University $214
  • UWT $155
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Central Washington University 44%
  • UWT 52%
  • % Women
  • Central Washington University 56%
  • UWT 48%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Central Washington University Medium
  • UWT Very High
  • HBCU
  • Central Washington University No
  • UWT No
  • % White
  • Central Washington University 59%
  • UWT 43%
  • % Asian
  • Central Washington University 4%
  • UWT 18%
  • % Black
  • Central Washington University 4%
  • UWT 7%
  • % Hispanic
  • Central Washington University 14%
  • UWT 12%
  • % Native American
  • Central Washington University 1%
  • UWT 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Central Washington University 1%
  • UWT 2%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Central Washington University 7%
  • UWT 8%
  • % International
  • Central Washington University 3%
  • UWT 5%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Central Washington University 9%
  • UWT 4%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Central Washington University 94%
  • UWT 94%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Central Washington University 6%
  • UWT 3%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Central Washington University Yes
  • UWT Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Central Washington University No
  • UWT No
  • Meal Plan
  • Central Washington University Yes
  • UWT No
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Central Washington University No
  • UWT Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Central Washington University Yes
  • UWT No

Comparable Facts

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

Central Washington University is larger than UWT based on total student enrollment (10,811 students vs. 4,965 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Central Washington University is located in Ellensburg, WA (Distant Town setting); University of Washington Tacoma Campus is in Tacoma, WA (Midsize City setting).
  • Central Washington University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Washington Tacoma Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Central Washington University 15:1; University of Washington Tacoma Campus 15:1.

Central Washington University vs. UWT Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central Washington University or UWT? 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 University of Washington Tacoma Campus than Central Washington University ($13,898 vs. $19,898).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Washington Tacoma Campus are 0.7% lower than at Central Washington University ($16,371 vs. $16,480).
  • University of Washington Tacoma Campus is 39.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central Washington University (about $3,751 more per year; $13,168.00 vs. $9,417.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 57.7% higher at UWT than at Central Washington University (about $15,878 more per year; $43,404.00 vs. $27,526.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Washington Tacoma Campus than at Central Washington University (86% vs. 85%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Washington Tacoma Campus students is 37.9% larger than aid received by Central Washington University students ($12,161 vs. $8,816).

Central Washington University vs. UWT Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Washington Tacoma Campus (1070) is 30 points higher than at Central Washington University (1040).
  • Incoming Central Washington University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 20) as students at UWT (20).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central Washington University 930/1150; University of Washington Tacoma Campus 960/1180.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central Washington University 17/24; University of Washington Tacoma Campus 16/24.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central Washington University - Test-free; UWT - Test-free.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Central Washington University Mar 1, 2027; UWT Jun 30, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman UWT students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Central Washington University (3.08).
  • Central Washington University has a higher acceptance rate (90.6%) than UWT (82.5%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20% at Central Washington University vs. 21.5% at UWT.

Central Washington University vs. UWT Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central Washington University and UWT? 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 University of Washington Tacoma Campus earn a median of about $18,000 more per year than Central Washington University graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,800 vs. $47,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Washington Tacoma Campus graduates have a $5,737 lower median loan debt than Central Washington University graduates ($15,000 vs. $20,737).
  • Among borrowers, UWT graduates have an estimated $59 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central Washington University graduates ($155 vs. $214).
  • More UWT graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central Washington University students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 60%)

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.