Colorado State vs. Central Washington University

Comparable Facts

Compare Colorado State University Fort Collins in Fort Collins, CO with Central Washington University in Ellensburg, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Colorado State University Fort Collins is larger than Central Washington University based on total student enrollment (34,096 students vs. 10,811 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado State University Fort Collins is located in Fort Collins, CO (Midsize City setting); Central Washington University is in Ellensburg, WA (Distant Town setting).
• Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Central Washington University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado State University Fort Collins 17:1; Central Washington University 15:1.

Colorado State vs. Central Washington University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado State or Central Washington University? 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 Central Washington University than Colorado State ($19,898 vs. $21,011).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Washington University are 2% lower than at Colorado State University Fort Collins ($16,480 vs. $16,817).
• Colorado State University Fort Collins is 42% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central Washington University (about $3,956 more per year; $13,373.00 vs. $9,417.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.4% higher at Colorado State than at Central Washington University (about $7,257 more per year; $34,783.00 vs. $27,526.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central Washington University than at Colorado State University Fort Collins (85% vs. 69%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado State University Fort Collins students is 15.2% larger than aid received by Central Washington University students ($10,160 vs. $8,816).

Colorado State vs. Central Washington University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colorado State University Fort Collins (1190) is 150 points higher than at Central Washington University (1040).
• Incoming Colorado State students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 20 at Central Washington University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado State University Fort Collins 1080/1290; Central Washington University 930/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado State University Fort Collins 23/29; Central Washington University 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado State - Test optional; Central Washington University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colorado State Jul 1, 2027; Central Washington University Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colorado State students have a 0.6 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Central Washington University (3.08).
• Central Washington University has a higher acceptance rate (90.6%) than Colorado State (88.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.1% at Colorado State vs. 20% at Central Washington University.

Colorado State vs. Central Washington University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Colorado State University Fort Collins's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than Central Washington University's (56%).
• Graduates from Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than Central Washington University graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $47,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Central Washington University graduates have a $267 lower median loan debt than Colorado State graduates ($20,737 vs. $21,004).
• Among borrowers, Central Washington University graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colorado State graduates ($214 vs. $217).
• More Colorado State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central Washington University students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.