CBC vs. EWU

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia Basin College in Pasco, WA with Eastern Washington University in Cheney, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Eastern Washington University is larger than CBC based on total student enrollment (10,492 students vs. 7,510 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia Basin College is located in Pasco, WA (Small City setting); Eastern Washington University is in Cheney, WA (Town Fringe setting).
• Columbia Basin College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Eastern Washington University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia Basin College 20:1; Eastern Washington University 18:1.

CBC vs. EWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CBC or EWU? 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 Columbia Basin College than EWU ($10,656 vs. $14,767).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia Basin College are 27.9% lower than at Eastern Washington University ($11,222 vs. $15,574).
• Eastern Washington University is 31% more expensive for in-state tuition than CBC (about $2,031 more per year; $8,586.00 vs. $6,555.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 199.5% higher at EWU than at Columbia Basin College (about $17,291 more per year; $25,959.00 vs. $8,668.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eastern Washington University than at Columbia Basin College (86% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Eastern Washington University students is 35.8% larger than aid received by Columbia Basin College students ($10,001 vs. $7,367).

CBC vs. EWU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CBC or EWU? 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 EWU and CBC.

• Columbia Basin College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsEastern Washington University 880/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsEastern Washington University 16/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CBC - Open admission; EWU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: EWU Sep 10, 2026.

CBC vs. EWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CBC and EWU? 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 Eastern Washington University earn a median of about $7,100 more per year than CBC graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,300 vs. $38,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia Basin College graduates have a $10,318 lower median loan debt than EWU graduates ($10,500 vs. $20,818).
• Among borrowers, CBC graduates have an estimated $107 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than EWU graduates ($108 vs. $215).
• More EWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CBC students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 48%)

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.