Central Washington University
A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and in-state Washington residents. no major red flags in the data. a public school with 7,833 students.
About This School
Central Washington University is a public institution located in Ellensburg, Washington with approximately 7,833 undergraduate students enrolled. Central Washington University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 91%. The average net price after financial aid is $18,476 per year. The graduation rate is 54%, and the typical graduate earns $50,100 within 10 years of enrollment.
Central Washington University (CWU) is a public university in Ellensburg, Washington, United States.
The numbers tell a mixed story here: the $14,715 average net price and a modest $13,000 median debt at graduation make CWU genuinely affordable, and median earnings of $50,100 after 10 years are decent for a regional public school. The bigger concern is the 50% graduation rate and 69% freshman retention — nearly one in three students doesn't return after the first year, which is worth asking about before committing. Worth considering if you're drawn to a smaller campus in central Washington and have a clear academic plan, but go in with eyes open and a strategy for staying on track.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 17% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (7,833 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Address
Central Washington University
400 East University Way
Ellensburg, WA 98926
Official Links
Other Schools in Washington
University of Washington
Seattle, WA · Public
Washington State University
Pullman, WA · Public
Western Washington University
Bellingham, WA · Public
Bellevue College
Bellevue, WA · Public
Eastern Washington University
Cheney, WA · Public
University of Washington-Bothell Campus
Bothell, WA · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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