Western Oregon State College vs. Central Washington University

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Oregon University in Monmouth, OR with Central Washington University in Ellensburg, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Central Washington University is larger than Western Oregon State College based on total student enrollment (10,811 students vs. 3,722 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Oregon University is located in Monmouth, OR (Town Fringe setting); Central Washington University is in Ellensburg, WA (Distant Town setting).
• Western Oregon University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Central Washington University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Oregon University 13:1; Central Washington University 15:1.

Western Oregon State College vs. Central Washington University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Oregon State College 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 Western Oregon University than Central Washington University ($14,006 vs. $19,898).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Oregon University are 24% lower than at Central Washington University ($12,528 vs. $16,480).
• Western Oregon University is 26.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central Washington University (about $2,462 more per year; $11,879.00 vs. $9,417.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.2% higher at Western Oregon State College than at Central Washington University (about $5,008 more per year; $32,534.00 vs. $27,526.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Oregon University than at Central Washington University (95% vs. 85%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Oregon University students is 16.2% larger than aid received by Central Washington University students ($10,241 vs. $8,816).

Western Oregon State College vs. Central Washington University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western Oregon State College 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 Western Oregon State College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Central Washington University (1040) is 50 points higher than at Western Oregon State College (990).
• Incoming Western Oregon State College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 20 at Central Washington University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Oregon University 868/1108; Central Washington University 930/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Oregon University 21/26; Central Washington University 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Western Oregon State College - Test-free; Central Washington University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Central Washington University Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Western Oregon State College students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at Central Washington University (3.08).
• Western Oregon State College has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Central Washington University (90.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.6% at Western Oregon State College vs. 20% at Central Washington University.

Western Oregon State College vs. Central Washington University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Western Oregon State College 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).

• Central Washington University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Western Oregon University's (39%).
• Graduates from Central Washington University earn a median of about $6,400 more per year than Western Oregon State College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $41,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Central Washington University graduates have a $3,765 lower median loan debt than Western Oregon State College graduates ($20,737 vs. $24,502).
• Among borrowers, Central Washington University graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Oregon State College graduates ($214 vs. $253).
• More Central Washington University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Oregon State College students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 53%)

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.