Saginaw Valley State University vs. Central Washington University

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

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Saginaw Valley State University vs. Central Washington University comparison
Saginaw Valley State University Central Washington University College 3 College 4
Saginaw Valley State University Central Washington University
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Overview

Saginaw Valley State University Central Washington University
Location University Center, MI Ellensburg, WA
Setting Rural Fringe Distant Town
Enrollment 6,889 8,796
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #888 #667
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website svsu.edu cwu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Saginaw Valley State University Central Washington University
Tuition (In State) $12,240 $7,021
Tuition (Out of State) $28,752 $24,600
Room & Board $11,700 $16,314
Avg Net Price $15,144 $15,558
Avg Grant Aid $9,611 $8,970
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 90%

Admission

Saginaw Valley State University Central Washington University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,222 6,829
Admitted 7,450 6,161
Acceptance Rate 72.9% 90.2%
Enrolled % 17.3% 25.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.48 3.08
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25 17/24
SAT Range 940/1160 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, 2026

Academics

Saginaw Valley State University Central Washington University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (18%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Human Services (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Business (29%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (4%)

Outcomes

Saginaw Valley State University Central Washington University
Graduation Rate 39% 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,000 $47,800
Making Student Loan Payments 48% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $20,737
Median Loan Payment $279 $214

Diversity

Saginaw Valley State University Central Washington University
% Men 2% 2%
% Women 8% 3%
Racial Diversity Low High
HBCU No No
% White 71% 59%
% Black 9% 4%
% Hispanic 4% 14%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 2% 7%
% International 8% 3%
% Unknown Race 6% 9%

Students

Saginaw Valley State University Central Washington University
% In-State 98% 93%
% Out-of-State 2% 6%

Campus

Saginaw Valley State University 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 Saginaw Valley State University based on total student enrollment (8,796 students vs. 6,889 students)

Saginaw Valley State University vs. Central Washington University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Saginaw Valley State University or Central Washington University?

  • Saginaw Valley State University is 74.3% more expensive to attend than Central Washington University for in-state tuition ($12,240.00 vs. $7,021.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 16.9% higher at Saginaw Valley State University than Central Washington University ($28,752.00 vs. $24,600.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Saginaw Valley State University than Central Washington University ($15,144 vs. $15,558)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saginaw Valley State University are 39.4% lower than costs at Central Washington University ($11,700 vs. $16,314)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Saginaw Valley State University than Central Washington University (98% vs. 90%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Saginaw Valley State University students is 7.1% larger than aid received Central Washington University ($9,611 vs. $8,970)

Saginaw Valley State University vs. Central Washington University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Saginaw Valley State University 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 Saginaw Valley State University .

  • The average SAT score at Saginaw Valley State University (1030) is 52 points higher than at Central Washington University (978)
  • Incoming Saginaw Valley State University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Central Washington University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Saginaw Valley State University students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Central Washington University (3.08)
  • Central Washington University has a higher acceptance rate (90.2%) than Saginaw Valley State University (72.9%)

Saginaw Valley State University vs. Central Washington University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Saginaw Valley State University 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 Saginaw Valley State University.

  • The graduation rate at Central Washington University is higher than Saginaw Valley State University (56% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from Central Washington University earn on average $6,800 more per year than Saginaw Valley State University graduates after ten years. ($47,800 vs. $41,000)
  • Central Washington University students graduate with a $6,263 lower median federal student loan debt than Saginaw Valley State University graduates. ($20,737 vs. $27,000)
  • Central Washington University graduates are paying $65 less per month on federal student loans than Saginaw Valley State University graduates. ($214 vs. $279)
  • More Central Washington University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Saginaw Valley State University 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/