Central Washington University
- 5/10 Overall Rating
- 4 Year
- Ellensburg, WA
-
0 reviews
Overview
Total enrollment
10,811- Location Ellensburg, Washington
- Website cwu.edu
- Type Public 4 Year
- Setting Distant Town
- Size Mid-size
- Status Non-profit
- Housing Yes
- Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate
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
Central Washington University is rated within the lower 47% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 5 out of 10.
-
Overall Rating5 out of 10
-
Academics4 out of 10
-
Resources6 out of 10
-
Outcomes7 out of 10
-
Value3 out of 10
Rankings
Rankings for Central Washington University within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
Admissions
Admission Standards
- GPA 3.08
Acceptance Rate
- Applications Due Mar 1, 2027
- Enrollment Rate 20%
- Application Fee $60
Applicant Competition Very Low
Annual Cost to Attend
Washington Resident Tuition
$9,417Out of State Resident Tuition
$27,526Breakdown
- Tuition $9,417
- Books and Supplies $900
- Other Fees $2,186
- Room and Board $16,480
- Budget for Other Expenses $5,925
- Total One Year Cost $34,908
- Tuition $27,526
- Books and Supplies $900
- Other Fees $2,186
- Room and Board $16,480
- Budget for Other Expenses $5,925
- Total One Year Cost $53,017
Student Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
Popular majors at Central Washington University are Business, Education, and Social Sciences. 29% of students major in Business, 16% in Education, and 14% in Social Sciences.
-
Business 29%
-
Education 16%
-
Social Sciences 14%
-
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting 7%
-
Visual and Performing Arts 4%
More Colleges to Consider
Students considering Central Washington University are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=234827.
GPA calculator: Central Washington University GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026