Central Washington University vs. UWT

Should I go to Central Washington University or University of Washington Tacoma Campus? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Central Washington University or UWT 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. University of Washington Tacoma Campus comparison
Central Washington University University of Washington Tacoma Campus College 3 College 4
Central Washington University University of Washington Tacoma Campus
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Overview

Central Washington University UWT
Location Ellensburg, WA Tacoma, WA
Setting Distant Town Midsize City
Enrollment 9,257 4,794
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #610
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website cwu.edu washington.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Central Washington University UWT
Tuition (In State) $6,816 $11,189
Tuition (Out of State) $23,881 $39,687
Room & Board $13,645 $14,220
Avg Net Price $15,864 $10,680
Avg Grant Aid $9,294 $12,961
% Receiving Grant Aid 73% 68%

Admission

Central Washington University UWT
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,409 1,974
Admitted 5,992 1,744
Acceptance Rate 93.5% 88.3%
Enrolled % 23.5% 35.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.08 3.41
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/24 16/24
SAT Range 930/1150 960/1180
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Mar 1, 2025 Jun 30, 2025

Academics

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

Outcomes

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

Diversity

Central Washington University UWT
% Men 47% 50%
% Women 53% 50%
Racial Diversity High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 59% 43%
% Black 4% 7%
% Hispanic 14% 12%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 1% 2%
% Two or More Races 7% 8%
% International 3% 5%
% Unknown Race 9% 4%

Students

Central Washington University UWT
% In-State 95% 96%
% Out-of-State 5% 2%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Central Washington University is larger than than UWT based on total student enrollment (9,257 students vs. 4,794 students)

Central Washington University vs. UWT Cost Comparison

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

  • University of Washington Tacoma Campus is 64.2% more expensive to attend than Central Washington University for in-state tuition ($11,189.00 vs. $6,816.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 66.2% higher at UWT than Central Washington University ($39,687.00 vs. $23,881.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Washington Tacoma Campus than Central Washington University ($10,680 vs. $15,864)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Washington University are 4.2% lower than costs at University of Washington Tacoma Campus ($13,645 vs. $14,220)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Central Washington University than University of Washington Tacoma Campus (73% vs. 68%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Washington Tacoma Campus students is 39.5% larger than aid received Central Washington University ($12,961 vs. $9,294)

Central Washington University vs. UWT Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Central Washington University (978) is 12 points higher than at UWT (966)
  • Incoming Central Washington University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at UWT (19)
  • 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 (93.5%) than UWT (88.3%)

Central Washington University vs. UWT Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Central Washington University or UWT? 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 UWT and Central Washington University.

  • Graduates from University of Washington Tacoma Campus earn on average $18,000 more per year than Central Washington University graduates after ten years. ($65,800 vs. $47,800)
  • University of Washington Tacoma Campus students graduate with a $5,737 lower median federal student loan debt than Central Washington University graduates. ($15,000 vs. $20,737)
  • UWT graduates are paying $59 less per month on federal student loans 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/