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#5 Best Public Universities in Washington

Central Washington University

Ellensburg, Washington

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Overview

Enrollment

9,257
Central Washington University overview
Location Ellensburg, Washington
Online cwu.edu
School Type Public 4 Year
Setting Distant Town
Central Washington University overview
Size Mid-size
Status Non-profit
On Campus Housing Yes
Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate
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Located in Ellensburg, Washington, approximately 100 miles east of Seattle in the Kittitas Valley, Central Washington University occupies a 380-acre campus nestled between the Cascade Mountains and the Columbia River Basin. The university, established in 1891 as a teachers' college, now operates as a comprehensive public institution offering undergraduate and graduate programs across four academic colleges. CWU maintains a strong focus in education, business, and science programs, with notable offerings in aviation, music, geology, and law and justice. The main campus features a mix of historic brick buildings and modern facilities, including recently constructed science and technology centers, while most first-year students reside in one of the university's residence halls spread throughout campus. The university competes in NCAA Division II athletics as the Wildcats, with particular recognition in rugby and volleyball programs.

Ratings

5/10

Overall

4/10

Academics

6/10

Resources

7/10

Outcomes

4/10

Value

Central Washington University is rated within the lower 49% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 5 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated

Rankings

Rankings for Central Washington University within the 2024 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.

View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.

Getting In

Admission Standards

Very Easy
Central Washington University overview
SAT 930/1150
ACT 17/24
GPA 3.08

Applications Accepted

93.5% 
Central Washington University overview
Applications Due Mar 1, 2025
Applicant Competition Very Low
Application Fee $60

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Annual Cost to Attend

Washington Resident Tuition

$6,816
In State Costs for Central Washington University
Fee Cost
Books and Supplies$900
Other Fees$2,029
Room and Board $13,645
Budget for Other Expenses$2,922
Total One Year Cost$26,312

Out of State Resident Tuition

$23,881
Out of State Costs for Central Washington University
Fee Cost
Books and Supplies$900
Other Fees$2,029
Room and Board $13,645
Budget for Other Expenses$2,922
Total One Year Cost$43,377

Tuition and financial aid details

Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$47,800 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

56% within 6 years

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Popular Areas of Study

Popular subjects studied by Central Washington University students
Subject Percent of Class
Business 29%
Education 16%
Social Sciences 14%
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting 7%
Visual and Performing Arts 4%

View All 109 Majors

Other Colleges to Consider 

Students considering Central Washington University are frequently interested in these similar colleges.

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=234827 IPEDS survey data for Central Washington University.

Current students may use the Central Washington University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.

Last updated February 24, 2024