RU vs. Central Washington University

Should I go to Radford University or Central Washington University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if RU or Central Washington University 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

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

EWU Washington State Old Dominion Western Washington University Longwood University JMU UW-Seattle VSU UWB Virginia Tech VCU UWT
Radford University vs. Central Washington University comparison
Radford University Central Washington University College 3 College 4
Radford University Central Washington University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

RU Central Washington University
Location Radford, VA Ellensburg, WA
Setting Distant Town Distant Town
Enrollment 7,718 9,257
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #566 #610
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website radford.edu cwu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

RU Central Washington University
Tuition (In State) $8,156 $6,816
Tuition (Out of State) $20,246 $23,881
Room & Board $10,567 $13,645
Avg Net Price $17,105 $15,864
Avg Grant Aid $9,733 $9,294
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 73%

Admission

RU Central Washington University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 11,442 6,409
Admitted 10,680 5,992
Acceptance Rate 93.3% 93.5%
Enrolled % 11.5% 23.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.31 3.08
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/23 17/24
SAT Range 960/1160 930/1150
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Mar 1, 2025

Academics

RU Central Washington University
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (18%)
  • General Studies (10%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Business (29%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (4%)

Outcomes

RU Central Washington University
Graduation Rate 56% 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,400 $47,800
Making Student Loan Payments 70% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,000 $20,737
Median Loan Payment $237 $214

Diversity

RU Central Washington University
% Men 33% 47%
% Women 67% 53%
Racial Diversity Low High
HBCU No No
% White 71% 59%
% Black 13% 4%
% Hispanic 7% 14%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 5% 7%
% International 1% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 9%

Students

RU Central Washington University
% In-State 89% 95%
% Out-of-State 11% 5%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Central Washington University is larger than than RU based on total student enrollment (9,257 students vs. 7,718 students)

RU vs. Central Washington University Cost Comparison

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

  • Radford University is 19.7% more expensive to attend than Central Washington University for in-state tuition ($8,156.00 vs. $6,816.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 18% higher at Central Washington University than Radford University ($23,881.00 vs. $20,246.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Central Washington University than RU ($15,864 vs. $17,105)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Radford University are 29.1% lower than costs at Central Washington University ($10,567 vs. $13,645)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Radford University than Central Washington University (96% vs. 73%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Radford University students is 4.7% larger than aid received Central Washington University ($9,733 vs. $9,294)

RU vs. Central Washington University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman RU students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Central Washington University (3.08)
  • Central Washington University has a higher acceptance rate (93.5%) than RU (93.3%)

RU vs. Central Washington University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at RU is the same as at Central Washington University (56% vs. 56%)
  • Graduates from Central Washington University earn on average $400 more per year than RU graduates after ten years. ($47,800 vs. $47,400)
  • Central Washington University students graduate with a $2,263 lower median federal student loan debt than RU graduates. ($20,737 vs. $23,000)
  • Central Washington University graduates are paying $23 less per month on federal student loans than RU graduates. ($214 vs. $237)
  • More RU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central Washington University students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 60%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/